Greensward Hamlet :: Communities Directory

Forming Formed: 2007

This page last updated:9/19/2010

Greensward Hamlet

Buxton, Maine,

United States

Greensward Hamlet, a sustainable cohousing community, is ready to start building as soon as we have five units committed. There will be five townhouse-type condominium units in each of four buildings, for a total of 20 units, and a common house clustered around a greensward space with connecting paths. Twenty-one acres of a 30-acre parcel will have a pond, a community garden, a labyrinth and other sacred spaces, and nature trails. Special attention will be paid to the preservation of wildlife and wetlands. The community will be built in three phases: Phase I, site development and units 1 through 10 to be completed by Spring 2011; Phase II, units 11 through 16 and the common house to start in fall 2011; Phase III, units 17 through 20 and upgrade of the road to start in fall 2011.

This cohousing community is dedicated to mindfulness in all aspects of life and to living in harmony with the earth and its inhabitants.

It is our intention to use no fossil fuels, to recycle to the greatest possible extent, to use environmentally friendly and local building materials, to be good stewards of the land, creatures, and plants, to welcome multigenerational and culturally diverse people, to share resources, to act and speak with love and respect (nonviolently), to self-govern through a consensus process, to interact with and welcome neighbors and visitors, to support each other through our life journeys, and to share our knowledge and experience with others through public talks, workshops, and classes.

OUR VISION is to create a sustainable community that nurtures our souls, preserves our natural resources and inspires hope for the future.

OUR 7 INTENTIONS –

1. To promote a supportive, harmonious community atmosphere that balances the desire for community with the need for privacy and solitude.

2. To be member-owned, self-governed and collaboratively managed by consensus process.

3. To be welcoming and supportive of diversity of people and ideas.

4. To support wellness and mindfulness.

5. To live in harmony with each other and our neighbors.

6. To minimize our carbon and ecological footprint on the planet by using ecologically sound design and construction, growing some of our own food, recycling, carpooling when possible and finding creative ways to conserve natural resources.

7. To be a model and resource for others seeking a sustainable lifestyle and/or to live in community.

Status: Planning, forming, planning board approval on June 9, 2008

Website: http://www.greenswardhamlet.com

Contact:

Francoise Paradis
PO Box 1325
Saco, Maine 04072 United States
Phone: 207-227-3678, 207-282-6730

Links:

Greensward Hamlet

Community location is placed at the center of the zip/postal code, city/state, or city/country (not based on street addresses)

This page last updated:9/19/2010

Visitors Accepted

Visitor Process: Contact Francoise Paradis at info@greensward.com or feparadis48@yahoo.com, or call 207-227-3678.

Network Affiliations:

Fellowship for Intentional Community

:: Coho/US

Statement of Housing Non-discrimination:

Our community does not discriminate in regards to housing based on race/color, national origin, religion, sex/gender, family status (i.e. having children, not having children, or being pregnant), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, ancestry, source of income, age, creed, personal appearance, political affiliation, HIV infection, military/veteran status, unfavorable military discharge, gender identity or expression, receiving public assistance, or being the victim of domestic abuse.

Population Open to new members: Yes	Government Decision Making: By consensus Identified Leader: Yes Leadership Core Group: Yes	Labor and Money Financial Style: Members have independent finances Open to Members with Pre-existing Debt: Yes Labor Contribution: Expected (To be determined later) Join Fee: Yes ($1,000 to become an equity member; $100 to become an associate member; No fee to be a) Regular Fees: Yes (Monthly fees for maintenane, repairs, and future projects)
Land and Buildings Rural Area: 30 acres (12.1 hectares) Land Owned By: The community (Land owned by F.E. Paradis Enterprises and will deed to the condominium association) Number of Residences: 20 Cohousing: Yes	Food, etc. Percentage of Food Grown: 6-20% (There will be an organic community garden.) Share Community Meals: 2-5 times/week (That is the intention.) Dietary Choice or Restrictions: Diet is up to each individual Dietary Practice: Omnivorous (While, we encourage vegetarian and vegan diets, each individual chooses their diets mindfully.) Alcohol Use: Used occasionally (For celebrations and special events.) Tobacco Use: Prohibited (Not used in common spaces)	Social Factors Common Spiritual Practices: No Which Spiritual Traditions(s): Other (Individual Choice) Educational Style(s): Public schooled

Cohousing Details

Cohousing Status:

Own Site

(We have all the permits and are ready to start building. We need five committed buyers to start phase I.)

Number of Units:

20. Phase I will have 5-10 units; Phase II will have 5-10 units and the common house; Phase III will be the final units.

Square Feet in Common House:

4000

(The common house will feature great room, kitchen, guest rooms, exercise room, playroom, game room, quiet rooms, craft /art rooms, multipurpose rooms.)

Architect:

Kaplan Thompson Architects, Portland, ME

Developer:

FE Paradis Enterprises, LLC

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Become an Editor Current editor(s): feparadis

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