Grounds Committee Report to the Facilities & Grounds Review Board
December 2002
Submitted by Louise Romanow

The Grounds Committee is moving ahead with a number of projects this year. The committee has met in smaller groups and worked individually on various projects. We also had a full committee meeting October 24, 2002.

We’re reporting on:

Gathering spaces – furniture and amendments
SEA courtyard / quad entrance
Treatment of the slope along the US parking lot and SEA
MS gift tree and The Grove
Master Plan
Back preserved and buffer areas
Web site

Gathering spaces / Site Furnishings – The $40,000 from the Alliance for furniture has been almost entirely spent. Two larger umbrellas, a large number of benches, tables and chairs (all assembled with volunteer labor), 5 large planters (complete with plants), and trashcans (about to be ordered) have been placed around campus. The CA café is complete but for the trashcans. More furniture will be needed to complete the SEA courtyard and MS pavilion, but almost all present furniture needs on campus have been met. (See attachment.)

SEA Courtyard / Quad Entrance – We currently have a limited approved plan and a revised conceptual plan for this area. In view of the design development timeline and fundraising that may be required for this project, we are planning that hard structural elements (i.e., sidewalks, ramps, lighting, excavation or amendments of topography and irrigation) and costs be determined this winter. We plan to work with Dennis Pitts on design development soon.

Treatment of the slope along the US parking lot and SEA – This area has become a pressing problem due to the existing dangerous slope (for mowing) and from the new construction disruption. Susan and Mack Little with the assistance of Todd Lasseigne of the NCSU Arboretum have researched this area and have a proposal for planting which will improve the appearance, reduce erosion, and eliminate the mowing hazard for this long slope. (See attached / exhibit.) We also recognize that access to the upper area must be provided for emergency exit from the buildings, track and other sports use and descent from the occasional parking-lot use. Lewis Cherry is to examine the access issue in concert with the new building.

Middle School Class of 2001 Gift Tree and creation of The Grove – A handsome, larger overcup oak was recently tagged for planting. This tree is the first planting gift to the CA community and we propose it be planted as the first tree of The Grove. This area is the broad slope along the front of the school facing Harrison Avenue. We are considering this area for designated tree gift and planning a commemorative marker that would list the donations over the years. The area is prominent and would serve as a possible ceremonial and reflective space for the CA community and its alumni (Seating in future?). The area also provides an opportunity to plant tall trees to provide shade, reduce the grass, and reduce the noise and wind from Harrison Avenue. The taller trees are also desirable to balance the massive scale of the buildings. Exhibit.

Master Plan – We are in the process of researching other long-range campus plans and landscape plans for ideas on writing our plan. We hope to complete the CA Master Plan by the end of the school year. A number of projects are already envisioned for the campus, for example the aforementioned Grove. Also, we are pricing an outdoor Commons Circle / classroom (see attached) which will seat around 20 - 25 near the flagpole at the top of the quad. A Pavilion (see attached) has been sketched out by Lewis Cherry for along the back of the Middle School. The Master landscape plan will include current and proposed projects for this year and for the next 5 years, as well as guidelines for future planning, planting and maintenance issues.

Back Preserved Area and nearby buffer development – Chips have been spread over much raw clay in the woods at the back of the school. The lawn “thumb” within those trees is being left for classes over the years to observe secondary succession. We would like to extend this wilder area to near the edge of the hill descending to the track and field and to the apple trees along the private lane. We propose that this area either be mowed twice a year or that we stop mowing it and plant seedling trees from NCDA as a volunteer project this winter. This plan depends on the approval of the Goodnights.

Web site - Senior John Gottshall and I are designing a web site for the committee. There all guidelines, maps, designs for prospective projects and other information about the grounds will be easily accessible to the school community for their examination and comment.