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Campus Landscape and Outdoor Art Subcommittee (CLOA)

Meeting Notes, November 10 and 17, 2004
Room 222, Bunnell Bldg.; Room 111 Museum 

Present:   W. Croskrey, J. Alden, E. Foster, D. Horner (chair), S. Bouta,  R. Wheeler, M. Wright 

Absent:  P. Holloway, P. Kastelic, J. Jones (ex-officio) 

The meetings on November 10 and 17 focused primarily on plans for the West Ridge Plaza.  On the 10^th, Marc Wohlford from Design and Construction attended to present an overview of the original utilidor project that enabled the creation of the plaza.  He identified specific areas and features of the plaza that might present challenges for landscaping.  For example, there are three sections of the plaza where water collects.  Unless a drainage system is built to re-direct the water, these conditions must be taken into consideration when choosing the landscape elements.  A member suggested that we might want to consider native grasses and sedges in these wet areas.  Marc also showed where fire hydrants are located, as well as power boxes. 

John Alden pointed out that there is a landmark birch tree right by the entrances to the Irving and O’Neill Buildings. 

Bob Wheeler suggested that we might want to consider landscaping with specific plant communities in various sections of the plaza.  These communities might be specific to the environment.  By using specific plan communities, the plaza would present a unique educational opportunity.  Bob further suggested that maybe the theme could be forest communities of the circumpolar north.  Members thought this idea had considerable merit. 

Wendy Croskrey mentioned the importance of transitions between plant community areas, citing a potential need for walls.  Boulders have been suggested as possible elements of the landscape design; however, they tend to be high maintenance, given the lack of a hard edge.  Benches should be integrated into the landscape as well.  Wendy also recommended that we give careful consideration to color fields as a way to unify the plaza.  She also suggested that we consider art in front of buildings that somehow identifies the building/functions. 

John Alden has contacted Patricia Joyner of Department of Forestry about coming to one of our meetings to discuss funding opportunities through the department.  She will probably come to a meeting after the new year. 

On the 17^th, members met at the Museum.  There was some initial discussion about the status of the open space east of the Museum, which has been proposed as the Troth Yeddh’ park.  Committee members voiced their support for this concept and feel it is important to get consensus on the actual park boundaries.  Deb Horner mentioned that the subcommittee could send a letter of support to the MPC. 

Bob Wheeler shared information on major plant ecosystems of the circumpolar boreal forest.  He suggested three major regions that might be represented in the plaza with appropriate plantings: Eastern Russia, Alaska and Canada, and Scandanavia.  John Alden suggested that there might be some additional species to add to the list.  Given that Bob, John and Pat have the expertise on trees and other plants that could be used in the plaza, Deb asked if the three of them could get together to come up with some more specific plans using the notion of three distinct regions. 

Ed Foster indicated that the more specific we can be in terms of what we want, the better off we will be when the consultant meets with us to come up with the actual landscape design plan.  Ed is working on the RFP and would hope to have a landscape architect or designer on board after the new year. 

The group then took a walking tour of the plaza area.  There are several large open areas that could accommodate the planting scheme that Bob has suggested.  Pat Holloway, although unable to attend this meeting, submitted her ideas pertaining to the area.  One suggestion that she had was to locate the volleyball court directly in front of O’Neill, on the flat area, and plant a tree buffer between the area and the road.  Since there is actually a building site directly to the west of this area (where the grove of trees currently sits), there was discussion about the wisdom of putting a lot of money for trees and shrubs into this particular plot.   

Everyone went up to the 5^th floor of IARC to look at the plaza from that vantage point.  It is possible to see the entire length of the plaza and on to the back of Natural Sciences.  Members feel that it is important to tie whatever happens along the corridor of the utilidor into the design of the plaza. 

On the way back to the Museum, we noted the walking paths in the snow.  Ed Foster will be sure to note on a schematic of the plaza where those “herd paths” occur.  Some might be appropriate locations for additional sidewalks; others might be intentionally blocked off by plantings or other means, such as walls.  A suggestion was made that we might consider locating the directional sign that was in front of GI (to many spots on the world map) at the entrance to the plaza, rather than in front of IARC, given the new traffic pattern. 

Deb suggested to Wendy Croskrey that maybe we should coordinate art in the plaza with the various regions represented in the plantings.  Wendy suggested that it might be possible to have an exchange program with other circumpolar north institutions, or to at least obtain art that is in the style of the regions. 

The next meetings are scheduled for the 1^st and 15^th of December, 9-11.  The location will be determined, but it will be on West Ridge.