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In
March 2008, staff of Philadelphia University’s Physical Plant approached
the Landscape Architecture Program and Environmental & Conservation
Biology Program to request help with the design of a buffer planting at
the Independence Plaza Apartments, located at the edge of Philadelphia
University’s campus in Philadelphia’s East Falls neighborhood. The site
is located at the edge of campus, bordering the properties of
neighboring homeowners.
After
the Landscape Architecture faculty expanded the original scope of the
project to include a rain garden, the final project required students to
work with a homeowner to design an evergreen buffer as well as a rain
garden on the University’s property for stormwater infiltration and to
serve as an educational tool.
The analysis, design and installation of the evergreen border and rain
garden were planned and executed by the students with oversight by
Physical Plant staff. Students analyzed the site to determine sight
lines that needed buffering for the homeowner to ensure the proper
heights and placement of the plantings; engineered the basin of the rain
garden for the collection of runoff for a 2-year storm event; selected
and tagged native plants in the nursery; and assisted the landscape
contractor in placing and planting all trees, shrubs and perennials. The
students were also instrumental in supervising the re-grading of the
site.
The rain garden was designed using native plants placed at the proper
grades to demonstrate their ability to withstand varying amounts of
inundation during a rain event. The seasonality of the plantings was
also considered for bloom throughout the season and for winter interest.
The students also selected plants that had wildlife value for birds and
insects. The Biology & Conservation Biology students assisted with the
planting installation.
The project was a great success for all participants, especially the
students, who gained valuable project management experience. Students
set the agenda for the meetings with the Physical Plant and homeowners,
critiqued their own site drawings, and made decisions in the field for
design changes, as well as selection of plant species in the nursery.
The homeowners are happy with the students’ approach to the design and
execution of the project, and the university is also pleased because
stormwater runoff has been mitigated, while good relations with the
local community have continued.
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