Campus Field Assignment

Campus Landscape

Founder's Garden

10.3.16

10:00am-11:00am

Cool, 65 degrees

Partly Cloudy

Description

The Founder's Garden is located on the corner of Liacouras Walk and Polett Walk. There is a ramp that leads down to the pocket garden which opens up to a large space about  200 sq. feet where the grave of Temple University's founder, Russell Conwell, and wife are buried. It is a beautiful space with a large open center for social gatherings, seating around the perimeter as well as lined with ivy and trees to create a beautiful modern, designed, commemorative space. 

Ecosystem Services

There is a clear and designed "gray" drainage system for storm water management in the center of the garden. The tree lining offers shade to assist in climate control, cleaner air quality as well as habitats for different species of birds, squirrels, insects and others. The tree line also provides the ares with carbon storage with the help of the flourishing Birch trees. The planters and various plants and flowers offer food resources for various species and the ivy vegetation cover offers a preventative measure to combat soil erosion.This garden also offers a space for recreation, gathering and physical/mental healing for its visitors.

Green or Gray

The Founder's Garden has both pervious and impervious infrastructure. The main open space is covered in impervious concrete and brick while the planters, ivy garden and tree soil allow for rain water to enter the ground as pervious systems. There is one large drain in the center, designed into the framework, which could be classifies as gray storm water management and the area around the drain slopes down in order for easy rain water collection.

Foliage

The three trees we identified through the Arbor Day Foundation were the London Plane Tree, the Honey Locust as well as the River Birch. The London Plane tree offers shade, withstands air pollution, resists anthracnose and outlives many similar tree species in urban areas. The Honey Locust provides shade, lowers the surrounding air temperature, intercepts 30 gallons of storm water a year, grows great in urban environments as yields seeds and seed pods that are eaten by surrounding species. Lastly, the River Birch reduces energy use, absorbs pollutants, creates shade, offers beauty, and each inch of the tree can intercept 50 gallons of storm water a year. 

Connection

This garden offers a direct link from human to nature and vice versa. It is a place that can be utilized for a wide variety of different activities which people can either do as a group or alone. This area has been known to host a slew of health and wellness events such as yoga, therapy dogs and massages as well as events hosted by Greek life and other school affiliated groups. The Founder's Garden offers shade as well as a place to enjoy nature, even in the midst of a busy city and campus. It has been utilized by students, professors, construction workers as well as any other visitors Temple may have. It is a calm. peaceful and serene spot for almost any activity and is located in the direct center of campus for our pleasure.