Arboretum & Landscape Committee
ACTIVITIES REPORT for 1998-1999 and 1999-2000
OVERVIEW
This report summarizes the activities of the University Arboretum and Landscape Committee over
the period of the fall of 1998 through the summer of 2000. Over the course of these two years,
our Committee faced its usual calendar of monthly meetings, full agendas, and a broad range
of projects as listed at the end of this report. As is our charge, our primary activities centered on
reviewing landscape projects and making design recommendations. However, burgeoning
growth of the Seward Endowment provided us with an unusual opportunity to take on a more
pro- active role in paying for planting projects and sponsoring landscape design studies as
described in this report.
MAJOR PROJECTS REVIEWED
In the summer and fall of 1999 the Committee gave its input into the redesign of the Alderman
Library lawn quad. Recognizing that the regrading, plantings and walkways in this area will
make perhaps the single greatest, visible change to the appearance of the central Grounds,
the Committee spent many sessions reviewing a series of designs before an appropriate
solution for this important gathering place could be agreed upon. Much consideration went
into preserving the row of mature oaks along McCormick Road. There was and will be, however,
a heavy loss of large trees across the site. Discussions surrounding the ultimate post-construction
replanting of trees in the quad raised larger issues such as to whether open areas on the central
Grounds should be designated permanently to serve as future construction lay down areas for
building projects. The need to identify and maintain certain "sacred" open vistas to buildings
and landscapes was also discussed.
In the first phase of the much needed landscape improvements at the McCormick Road
Dormitories, the Committee struggled mightily with the decision whether to approve removal of
six sizable sweetgum trees in the central lawn. The remaining vestige of a 1950's allee of trees,
these trees created a wonderful canopy of shade, but their fruit pods posed continuing safety
hazard and nuisance on adjacent walks, gutters, and lawn. In a heavily divided vote, the
committee ultimately approved removal of the trees to allow for the new design to be fully
realized. Several months later, the cutting down of the trees generated an outpouring of
outrage from the community, which was unaware of the plans for a new design. This incident
made the Committee aware of the need to publicize upcoming major changes through the
media to the community. It is happy to note how the new plan of walks, benches, and plants
have dramatically improved the appearance of this area, which will continue to improve as the
oaks re-establish a shaded canopy.
The committee took great interest in the planning and implementation of the Long Walk
project, east of the Rotunda. The Committee helped to fund this project as part of a gift to the
University in recognition of the service of Jim Murray when he stepped down as Chair of this
committee. While the project appears to be successful in its restoration of the former maple tree
allee and its design for vehicles serving the Rotunda, this area continues to be plagued with the
problem of service vehicles straying onto and parking on lawn areas.
One of the central themes of the Committee has been to address the inadequacy of outdoor
seating and gathering places on the Grounds. Over the last year, the Committee has been
actively advocating for the development of gardens, benches, terraces, and other amenities in
its review of projects that include the redesign of the quad at Alderman Library, NRAO Addition,
Monroe Lane Language House, Brown College, and Maury Hall where courtyard gardens were
replanted. Between Rouss and Wilson Halls, our Committee's contribution helped create a
small garden of trees, shrubs, and benches for students between classes.
The placement of outdoor art on Grounds proved to be one of the most difficult issues the
committee had to contend with during the last two years. On two occasions our committee
was called to review installations sponsored through the student - organized University Arts
Board, which all agree had the admirable goal of increasing the presence of the arts on
Grounds. In reviewing the proposals of artists Agnes Denes and Daniel Reeves, however,
several procedural problems arose - such as the 'eleventh - hour' presentation of the designs
prior to installation, the lack of coordination in selecting a site, and difficulties in developing the
artists designs in the context of the landscape. These experiences raised the clear need for a
University- wide public arts policy to be developed to outline procedures, reviews, and
coordination of parties involved.
The past two years were also marked by the review of a number of planning studies of major
impact and visibility. In 1999, the committee reviewed the Landscape Master Plan by Vergason
and Associates and planning studies for the Fine Arts Precinct and the Grounds Walk. We found
much to commend in these ambitious studies. However, it should be noted that the Committee
is greatly concerned over the proposal for a pedestrian bridge across University Avenue at
Rugby Road. The committee has urged its support for a more westerly crossing over University
Avenue at Newcomb Road, as shown on earlier studies. The Committee feels this location will
serve effectively in connecting the Fine Arts/ Carr's Hill precinct to the north with Clemons
Library and the proposed Performing Arts Building to the south.
COMMITTEE- FUNDED DESIGN STUDIES AND PLANTING PROJECTS
Committee funds were allocated for a number of planting installations. At the Alderman Road
Pump House, trees and shrubs, in a demonstration bio-retention basin supporting storm water
management around Meadow Creek, were paid for by Committee funds. The Committee
also helped to pay for a new row of maple trees along Geldard Drive. In appreciation and
support of the work of the Albemarle Garden Club of Virginia, the Committee contributed
money for plants in the restored west gardens at Morea. Finally, in 1999 the Committee provided
financial support for additional landscape architect's design fees and plantings to complete the
unfinished landscape and plantings around Newcomb Hall.
In addition to these projects, the committee also began funding new types of projects whose
scopes go beyond this committee's traditional focus on plants.
Lawn Archeology Project: With matching funds from the University Development Office, the
Committee appropriated money to pay for the services of an archeologist to monitor trenching
being done on the Lawn as an irrigation system was being installed. While there was some
reservation on the part of members over this unusual funding precedent, in the end, the
allocation represented a broadening of our own definition of the "landscape" that we oversee
to include its subsurface conditions. The committee's actions also reflected a feeling that the
University should act responsibly in the archeological stewardship of the Lawn and other
heritage sites to which it has been entrusted.
Landscape Design Studies: In the spring of 2000, a sub-committee was formed to rank the
landscape project needs on the Grounds. From a list of nearly eighty projects developed by the
Office of the Architect, the sub- committee elected five priority landscape projects for funding.
In response to the need expressed by the Office of the Architect to have more landscape
design studies completed and in place in order to proceed with the actual planting work, the
Committee agreed to pay the architectural design fees for several studies. $5,000 was
allocated for the Gilmer Hall Retention Basin, to cover the design fees to create a planting plan
that will enhance the plant community, and bring a final resolution this project plagued with
engineering problems. The Committee also designated funding for a study to upgrade the
West Main Street entry corridor (from Jefferson Park Avenue westward up to the Rotunda) and a
study to look at day-lighting the section of Meadow Creek at the Dell.
OTHER ACTIVITIES
Creation of website: As part of the gift commemorating the service of former Chair Jim Murray,
the committee oversaw the creation of a website. Through the services of the Electronic Text
Center, the formidable task of transcribing the entire history of meeting minutes from the
"Murray" era (1985- 1998) was accomplished. The website also contains general information
about the committee, the upcoming schedule of meetings, a copy of the committee charge,
and a list of current members. A full list of both private and officially designated memorial trees
on the grounds and their designees was recently added. We will continue to upgrade and
assess the content and usefulness of the site in upcoming years for use by the University
community as well as the outside community.
The Committee was pleased to carry out its longstanding role in nominating two recipients for
Founder's Day trees. In 1999, the significant contributions of Mr. Harry Porter to the School of
Architecture and the Office of the Architect were recognized with the planting of a Pumpkin
Ash in front of Pavilion IX. A Tall Stewartia tree, planted in the Garden of Pavilion IV in April 2000
commemorates the tireless efforts of Mrs. Lee Cochran as former member of the University
Board of Visitors and as liaison to the University for the Garden Club of Virginia. Both events drew
unusually heavy and appreciative crowds of friends, colleagues and families in appreciation of
their outstanding contributions to the Grounds.
In addition, a number of private memorial trees planted were donated and planted. They
include: an Amur Corktree at Monroe Hall for Adams family; a Franklin tree at Gilmer Hall for
Raymond Bice; a Shumard Oak at Gilmer Hall for Woodard family; a Dogwood tree at Carr's Hill
for Eleanor Shannon; a red horsechestnut in the Childress garden; and a Carolina Silverbell at
Chemical Engineering Building for Sterling Vines.
At its annual visit to the Farm, members had an informative and detailed tour of the developing
Virginia native plant trail which is being extended out across the meadow to Pea Hill, where an
observation pavilion will provide a gathering and rest spot away from the Quarters. The
completion of a new Master Plan for Blandy Experimental Farm by Nelson/Byrd Landscape
Architects was well received by the Committee, which was informed of its many components
including a Visitors Center, new driving loop road and trails through the plant collection.
THE COMMITTEE
We noted with sadness the stepping down of several highly -valued and long-standing
members - Andrew Ruppel of the Commerce School (1993 - 1999), William Sihler of the Law
School (1971- 2000), Peter Holloway of Bio Chemistry (1996- 2000), and student representative
Denis McNamara. The insights and the long term memory they contributed to our discussions
are greatly missed. In their place, Linda Hosticka of Medical Center, Susan McKinnon of
Anthropology, and James Savage of Government along with student representative Hara
Wilkiemeyer, have joined the committee with enthusiasm and are already contributing good
questions and comments to our discussions. Gratefully, the retirement of Jim Murray has not
meant his absence from our ranks, where he continues to serve with his sage perspective.
As this report marks the end of my second year as chair, I would like to end with a note of
gratitude for the excellent work of the Office of the Architect and Facilities Management. I am
proud of the work of our committee, whose efforts I believe do make a difference in improving
the quality of the life for the academic community through its outstanding asset of the Grounds
and Academical Village.
Respectfully submitted ,
Nancy Takahashi
Chair
January 2001
TREE REMOVALS
The Committee approved removal of the following trees:
-Walnut, locust, and mulberry at 1512 JPA
-Mulberry and Eastern Red Cedar at Peyton House
-6 Sweetgum trees at McCormick Road Dormitory
-3 American hornbeams at Thornton Hall's Darden courtyard.
-4 Eastern red cedars and 2 tulip poplars at Copeley Hill Apartments.
-Oaks, holly, and green ash trees at Clark Hall.
-Red Maple at McCormick Road bridge
-Honey locust at amphitheater below Maury Hall
-Black locust southwest of Monroe Hall
-Ash tree on Hospital Drive
-3 white and chestnut oaks on Edgemont Road at NRAO
-3 ashes and an oak tree at the Peabody Hall/ Alderman Quad.
-White ash Pavilion V.
-2 white ashes on West Range.
-Bradford pears at Faulkner Dormitory
-2 Hemlocks at Pavilion II Garden
-White Oak at Law School Faculty/ Student Center
-6 Ginkgo trees on McCormick Road at Alderman Library
-Cryptomeria, hemlock, and two silver maples at Monroe Lane language house
-3 Ash trees at Pavilion IV and VI and VII
-Red Oak on Carr's Hill
-Sycamore at tennis courts
PROJECTS REVIEWED BY THE COMMITTEE (fall 1998 through summer 1999)
- Planting and landscape plan at New Observatory Hill Dormitory Building ( Van Yahres
Associate)
-Sanitary Sewer Replacement along Rugby Road and Memorial Gymnasium (S. Jacques)
-Rotunda Handicap Access Ramp
- North Rotunda Duct Bank Re-routing
-Proposed tree plantings on Carr's Hill Field Slope
-Alderman Road Pump House Landscape Plan
-Newcomb Hall Planting Plan
-402 Monroe Street (Asia House)
-Maury Hall Courtyards Planting Plans
-Geldard Drive Street Tree Planting
-Parents' Fund Benches
-Art Department Trailer
-Jordan Hall Entrance
-McCormick Road Dormitory Planting Plan and Phase One
-Temporary parking at Aquatics and Fitness Center
- new permanent Parking Lot at Physics and Ruffner Halls
-Grounds Walk Master Plan
-Adams Memorial Tree and Bench
-Leone Memorial bench
-Bio-Medical Building (MR-5) Landscape Plan (April 23 and March5)
-Long Walk Design (March 5 and 30)
-Varsity Hall Flagpole
-Dumas Malone Memorial Tree replacement
-Thornton Hall tree removals
-Morea Gardens and Va Garden Club
-Clark Hall Landscape and Planting Plan
-Copeley Hill Waterline Upgrade
-Scott Stadium Landscape Plan
-Alderman Library Quadrangle
-Ruffner Hall/Physics Building Porous Paved Parking Lot
-Observatory Hill Dining Facility
-Peabody Hall Landscape Plan
-Rugby Road Faculty Apartments planting plan
-Landscape Priority Project List
PROJECTS REVIEWED BY THE COMMITTEE (fall 1999 through summer 2000)
-Illegal sign posting on trees
-McGuffey Ash Wood use
-Hospital Drive Temporary Parking Lot
-Addition to National Radio Astronomy Observatory Building
-Blandy Experimental Farm Master Plan
-Alderman Road Pump House Bio-retention Basin Planting Plan
-Chilled Water line on West Range
-Colonnade Alley between Pavilion VII and IX
-Peabody Hall Construction Lay down area
-Long Walk
-Miller Center Landscape Plan
-Special Collections Library Landscape Plan
-Darden School Phase II Expansion Landscape Plan
-Morea West Garden Plantings
-Newcomb Road Temporary Sculpture "Origins"
-Faulkner Dormitory Planting
-McCormick Road Sidewalks at (former) Forestry Building
-Improvements to Copeley Road Sidewalks and Trees
-Madison Hall Transformer/ Dumpster Screen
-Law School Student /Faculty Center Landscape Plan
-McCormick Road Gingko Tree Removals and replacements
-Newcomb Hall Plaza and Peters House plantings
-Pavilion IV Alley Landscape Plan
-East Precinct Chiller Access Road Landscape Plan
-Lawn Irrigation Project
-Rotunda Waterproofing Project lay down area
-"Poetry Walk" installation
-Rotunda Boxwood Replacement
-Monroe Lane Housing Landscape Plan
-Alderman Dormitory /Hereford College path
-Brown College Terrace
-Piedmont Walkway between Fontaine and Stadium Roads
-Cemetery Planting
-Lawn Tree removals
-Pavilion V Garden planting
-Carr's Hill Garden Trellis
-Observatory Hill Former Waste Disposal site monitoring
-Leake Building Basement Waterproofing
-Carruther's Hall Sidewalk connection
-Monroe Hall Plaza paving
-Brooks Hall East Forecourt Planting
-Lawn Archeology Monitoring Project
SEWARD FUND APPROPRIATIONS
Spending by the Committee did not kept pace with the rapid accumulation in the Seward
Fund, whose balance as of August 2000, stood at $234,000. Over the past two years, the
following allocations were made:
$1,800Geldard Road maples
$50,000 Long Walk project
$3,000Newcomb Hall plaza planting plan study
$10, 000 Newcomb Hall Plaza plantings
$ 5,000 Lawn archeology monitoring project
$ 5,000 Rouss/ Wilson Hall seating garden
$2,000West Morea Garden plantings
$ 5,000(designated)Gilmer Hall Detention Basin planting plan study
$30- 40,000(designated) West Main Street Entry Corridor Design Study (consultants to be
selected )
$30,-50,000 (designated) Dell stream corridor improvements design study (consultants to be
selected)
$141,800- $171,800 Total allocations
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