Arboretum and Landscape Committee
Annual Report 1990 - 1991
During the past academic year the Arboretum and Landscape Committee has met approximately
semi-monthly to deal with a wide variety of landscaping and planting issues. A major theme this year has been the
landscaping of additions to buildings, often a delicate matter of blending new with old. We have reviewed plans for
additions to Jordan Hall, The North Grounds Recreation Center, the Slaughter Recreation Center, Bemiss House,
the Chemistry Building, Memorial Gym, the Chemical Engineering Building, the Emmet St.. Parking Garage,
Faulkner House, the Football Training Center, the Blue Ridge Hospital Homeward Bound Building, and the Faulkner
Dormitories.
The Committee also reviewed the extensive plans for the new Stadium Road Residential College, trying to
mitigate the effects of what we believe to be a less than ideal treatment of a difficult site. The Committee has spent
a good deal of effort on the renovation of the gardens at Carr's Hill, and on the various migrations of the proposed
Intramural Superfield around the countryside. The Committee has advised the staff of Facilities Management on the
revision and refinement of the Facilities Design and Construction Guidelines. Several important revisions are
contemplated, including changes in the areas designated for brick sidewalks and for various types of lighting.
The Grounds have suffered the loss of several significant trees during the year, notably the large White Ash
near Pavilion V. This tree was one of the giants on the Lawn dating from 1870. The large Honey Locust on
McCormick Road opposite Monroe Hall has also been condemned as a potential hazard. The Committee is bracing
itself for the arrival of a serious disease of Dogwoods. A new type of anthracnose has invaded Virginia and may soon
be threatening trees on the Grounds.
On the brighter side, the Committee has planted a White Oak near Washington Hall to mark the retirement
of Mr. Werner Sensbach, honoring his long service as the architectural and landscape planning conscience of the
University.
The Committee has held discussions on how it may be able to take greater initiative in effecting positive
changes on the Grounds. A number of possible projects have been discussed, and the Committee has decided to
pursue at least four. First, the Committee has become increasingly concerned over the failure of the Department of
Facilities Management to provide funds for the replacement of trees removed as a result of age and disease. It is our
view that such replacements should be routinely supported from their maintenance budget. However, we believe that
the situation has reached such a state that we simply must allocate some of our limited resources to the replacement
of trees. This will be our first priority in the coming year.
Second, the Committee hopes to improve the treatment of steel) slopes on the Grounds. We intend to provide
funds for an experimental program to seek for better ways of establishing ground cover on critical slopes. Third, we
plan to improve tile Emmet St. corridor from Barracks Road to University Avenue. In collaboration with the Athletic
Department and the Housing Office, we have committed matching funds to support a proposal from Facilities
Management to the Virginia Department of Forestry for improving the corridor with significant plantings.
Finally, the Committee will try to improve the University Avenue "gateway" to the Grounds. Since this is the
approach used by most visitors, we believe that it deserves more attention, with plantings especially along the playing
fields below Carr*s Hill.
During the past year the Committee has dealt with many small projects that add up to a considerable
cumulative impact on the Grounds. These include:
1. Siting of dumpsters for Dillard Dormitory. 2. Approval of collectors for recycling at Carruthers Hall, Stacy Hall, Gilmer Hall, Jordan Hall, and McKim
Hall. Approval of the collector for Madison flail was deferred pending additional study.
3. Siting of a chiller for Pavilion 1.
4. Siting of a transformer for the Law School.
5. Site evaluations of projects around the Observatory Hill Dormitories and on the Monroe Hill Plaza.
6. Review of parking at the entrance of the Law School and the Darden School.
7. Review of parking for Medical Research Building #4.
8. Approval of a barrier for the Clemons Library roof.
9. Design of railings for the amphitheater.
10. Approval of a turning pad for the Physics Building.
11. Denial of a request to cut down the White Pines at Scott Stadium.
12. Approval of removal of a Sycamore adjacent to the University Lodge Motel.
13. Approval of a flower bed for Clark Hall.
14. Approval of planting for the entrance to the Primary Care Hospital.
15. Approval of signage for the Miller Center.
16. Approval of designs for pay telephones
17. Review of access for the handicapped to Monroe Hill College, Piedmont Housing, and the Glass Hat.
18. Denial of special signage for the Child Care Center.
19. Modification of a design for the soccer field fence.
20. Siting of a liquid nitrogen tank for Engineering.
21. Redesign of Cabell Drive.
The Committee made its annual visit to Blandy Farm and reviewed the designs for the new entrance
roadway, the Boxwood Garden, the Outdoor Theater, and the Quarters Garden. There has been steady progress
in the implementation of the recently approved Master Plan.
The Committee will continue to meet on an irregular schedule through the summer to cope with problems
as they arise.
Respectfully submitted,
J.J. Murray. Chairman
