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Living an eco-friendly lifestyle doesn't have to be a burden. Commonly located near daily destinations, green neighborhoods - compact, mixed-use communities that often feature green spaces, green infrastructure and green buildings - make it easy for residents to cut their greenhouse gas emissions. Whether they conserve natural habitat or feature LEED-certified homes, the following neighborhoods earn props for their eco-sensibilities.?

Woodlands Edge
Rocket Properties
Ron Tyne
www.woodlandsedge.com
(501) 954-9816

Set among acres of beautiful land in west Little Rock, Woodlands Edge works in harmony with ecological landmarks to preserve the land's heritage. While the homes themselves aren't necessarily green, the neighborhood is built around the natural habitat, leaving much of the forest and meadows as a scenic view for its residents.

True to the principles of the developer, a landscape architect, more than a third of the neighborhood remains untouched by construction. Additionally, between 1,000 and 2,000 native trees a year are planted there. Miles of trails meander through the scenery, providing recreational opportunities beyond the community pool, tennis courts, playground and picnic areas.

Right off of Bowman Road, Woodlands Edge is conveniently located near the Arkansas Heart Hospital and Baptist Health, as well as many churches, schools, shops and restaurants. Soon, another entrance to the neighborhood from Kanis Road will be complete. 

Vertical Modern Urban Lofts
The Janet Jones Co.
Kevin Newcombe, Barbara Cherryor Ellen Wilcox
www.verticallofts.net
(501) 224-3201

These three-story, über-modern lofts are just the ticket for someone concerned with his or her daily impact on the planet. A candidate for residential LEED platinum status, these lofts were built from recy-clable materials and save 45 percent more energy than most homes. The new residences boast closet lights that automatically shut off when you close the door, bamboo floors, tankless water heaters, Energy Star appliances and lighting, Eco-Block insulated concrete walls and double-insulated, low-E windows for better insulation and less energy waste.

In addition to the energy features, the lofts include spacious kitchens and living areas, two-car garages, balconies and a large, private rooftop deck made of recycled plastic. One amazing feature of these rooftops, besides the skyline view of down-town, is that most capture the rainwater and direct it to a containment system that irrigates the landscape below.

Located in downtown Little Rock right across the street from Union Station, these contemporary lofts are a perfect place for emerging professionals due to the proximity to the Capitol, the River Market and Episcopal Collegiate.  

CityGrove Townhomes
Soloman Partners Real Estate
Käri Pace
www.citygrovetownhomes.com
(501) 537-1840

Much like downtown Little Rock, North Little Rock has focused on the revitalization of its downtown area, and that effort will benefit from the addition of CityGrove Townhomes. Designed to fit with the historic Argenta district, these homes have many green features, including Energy Star appliances and environmentally preferable products, which helped the property receive points for its LEED Gold application. In addition to the green materials used in construction, CityGrove developers either compost 60 percent of all construction waste or donate it to Habitat for Humanity's ReStore, a salvaged building material center.

Perhaps one of the area's biggest draws for the environmentally conscious is the proximity of Main Street North Little Rock, just a block away. Argenta's neighborhood restaurants, shops, bars and new grocery are within walking distance, as are entertainment venues like Dickey-Stephens Park, Alltel Arena and the River Trail. And if residents want to cross the bridge into downtown Little Rock, no car is necessary. The River Rail trolley route runs right in front of CityGrove.

Rockwater Village
The Charlotte John Co.
Sherry Curry/Melissa Bond
www.rockwatervillage.com
(501) 664-5646

Set along the Arkansas River bank in North Little Rock, Rockwater Village is designed to create a friendly, old-fashioned neighborhood with modern quirks and historic architecture. Still in the planning stages, the atmosphere of this close-knit, five-block area will be such that neighbors feel safe and comfortable walking to their destinations.

The neighborhood's location is convenient to downtown North Little Rock and the historic Argenta district, making it easily accessible to some of the area's most popular restaurants, shops and galleries. Residents can get their exercise by walking, running or biking on the Arkansas River Trail, which is practically a part of their yards. Those who want to go to downtown Little Rock can hit the trolley for a ride across the bridge.

Common green spaces, a community facility and a storm water retention facility are planned for the whole development, and the neighborhood is also applying for a silver LEED rating, which will ensure its status amongst the area's green neighborhoods.

Woodglen Park
Solar Source Consulting    
Frank Kelly           
frank@solarsourceconsulting.com
(501) 225-8398

Near the Arkansas River, Woodglen Park promises a spectacular view with an environmentally conscious design. Construction has begun on the planned 35 solar-powered homes, all with a south-facing slope, in this new development close to Overlook Park. Frank Kelly, one of the neighborhood's developers, says that each home will be reviewed by an Energy Star rater and required to install an active PV solar system.

Along with being energy efficient, one goal is to make sure that residents spend less time on the upkeep of the exterior. Builders must concentrate on using low main-tenance materials, such as acrylic stucco, corrugated metal or brick, instead of wood, which requires more time to sustain. Residents will also be encouraged to harvest rainwater and use permeable surfaces and low-light-polluting fixtures in building their homes.

Next to Murray Park, Rebsamen Park Golf Course and the Big Dam Bridge, the developers have also set aside some land that may become a direct link between Woodglen Park and the Arkansas River Trail, a possibility that should thrill outdoor enthusiasts interested in the neighborhood.

SoMa
Paul Page Dwellings
Page Wilson
www.paulpagedwellings.com
(501) 580-2770

Residents of the section of Little Rock's historic district known as Southside Main Street are looking toward the area's future, and it's a little greener. SoMa, a nonprofit organization named after the neighborhood's moniker, is focused on revitalizing the area, including several deserted lots. Leading the "green" force in SoMa is Page Wilson of Paul Page Dwellings.

His development in SoMa focuses on bringing modern, environmentally conscious homes to the district. Focusing on sustainable and affordable housing, Wilson builds smaller homes and townhomes with an energy-efficient design. One unique design aspect is the way the homes are situated. Instead of facing the street like most houses, these homes face the sun. Large windows capture the light and heat during the winter, while full trees shade the home from the heat in the summer.

In the heart of downtown, SoMa is a neighborhood whose history is joined with the culture scene in the Little Rock area. Close to the River Market, the Clinton Library, the Arkansas Arts Center and the Capitol, as well as many restaurants, events and eco-friendly commercial space at Crossroads Green Co-op, SoMa is a community that proves a neighborhood can juggle the past, present and future and be the better for it.