Landscape
The University of Pennsylvania campus is one of the most beautiful urban campuses in the United States. It is highly regarded and well-maintained by our staff on a daily basis. The University Landscape Architect within the Office of the University Architect oversees landscape initiatives across campus including routine maintenance of the grounds, installation of landscape improvement projects and the review of major capital improvements.
Projects are developed based on the need for improvement or renovation of an area. Routine projects, such as ongoing tree and shrub care, turf and planting bed programs and flower planting, are managed in conjunction with the Urban Park Manager of Facilities Operations.
Support for landscape projects may come through:
- Facilities Renewal Funding
- Capital construction project
- Donations from individual(s), alumni or class gifts
History
The Landscape Development Plan of 1977, authored by the University of Pennsylvania's Center for Environmental Design, under the guidance of Sir Peter Shepheard, first established the concept of landscape standards for the campus. The first phase in implementing this plan was the College Green renovation, completed in the late 1970's, establishing the new standard for the Penn Landscape. This simple standard, with its classic "English Landscape Style" of lawn and trees, brick and stone paving with granite curbing, ties the campus together as a cohesive whole. Flowers and planting beds occur judiciously at nodal points. A consistent use of standardized site furnishing completes the campus palette.
With the success of this first phase of the Landscape Development Plan, the University committed to its proposal of extending these standards to all subsequent design and construction projects on campus, and established positions within the Facilities Planning Office (now Facilities and Real Estate Services) to manage and oversee all landscape work. The Office of the University Landscape Architect, administratively located within the Office of the University Architect, now acts as custodian of all aspects of the campus landscape to protect the quality, consistency, and integrity of the Penn image.
For more information about out past Campus Master Plans, please visit: http://www.pennconnects.upenn.edu/explore_the_vision/past_campus_plans.php
Landscape Donations
Trees, benches and small garden plantings are dedicated as commemorative elements on campus. It is the discretion of the University Landscape Architect to determine appropriate locations for any gift.
Landscape elements that may be donated as a memorial include garden plantings, new or existing trees with a bronze plaque mounted on granite, or standard campus benches with a plaque mounted on the back rest. The information that appears on a donor plaque is limited by space and is subject to approval by the University Landscape Architect.
For the duration of its life span, each commemorative element will be maintained by Facilities and Real Estate Services. If a tree, planting, or bench becomes damaged by disease, vandalism or other cause within ten years of installation, it will be removed and replaced. If unforeseen construction causes the removal of the memorial within fifteen years of installation, it will be relocated or replaced. At the end of its useful life span, the commemorative element will be retired and the original donor will be notified. They have the opportunity to replace the memorial at that time if they wish.
Procedure
Individuals or groups wishing to make any commemorative donation should contact the Office of Development Alumni and Relations (215-898-6613) with their request. They will guide the donor through the available options for memorial giving. If it is determined that a landscape element is the best option, the donor will be provided with an application to select their preferred gift and provide the wording for the accompanying plaque. This application will be forwarded to the Office of the University Architect. The University Landscape Architect will provide no more than three options for the location of the memorial with appropriate plant selections. A final plan of the memorial site with plant list, plaque wording, time constraints and total costs will be provided to development/ donor for approval. When all of the details are agreed upon, and the funding secured, the University Landscape Architect will oversee installation.
University Bench
University benches are made of break resistant ductile iron with anti-fungal Ipe (Bethebara) wood. A bronze plaque engraved with text is fastened to the back rest.
Memorial Tree
Trees are selected based on location, availability and appropriateness to the campus, with the final decision being at the discretion of the University Landscape Architect. All efforts are made to accommodate potential donor wishes. Shade trees or flowering trees can be installed. Evergreen trees are planted only in limited areas on campus.