The coolest corner of San Gabriel Neighborhood E of Randolph Park in Central Tucson, is the corner of Emiel and Chris Martin's residence. For the last 8 years, they've been transforming their property with all kinds of sustainable living in the Sonoran Desert including rain gardens to cool down their home. Additionally, they have active systems to irrigate their Sonoran Desert food forest; gray water – L2L to support fruit trees such’s as citrus, peach, and other natives; curb cuts to support additional street side basins with native vegetation for pollinators and shade; and compost toilets and outdoor showers that integrates in the overall efficiency of water harvesting and beauty to their property.
The front yard welcomes you with a forest of canyon hackberries trees that have established themselves so well providing shade, canopy, evapotranspiration and beauty to this corner of the city. Chris even mentioned that he feels the temperature drop the second he enters his property from the streets to the rain gardens in the front. As you take the tour of Emiel and Chris' home, take a look at their “bocce ball court” they have in the backyard, or experince the cooling properties as you walk around...Chris might even challenge you to a game right in the shaded area of the bocce court.
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