University of northern Iowa
Panther Plot 5 year design plan
Acknowledgments These documents were made possible through the contributions of the following individuals, as well as the generous and insightful input of the University of Northern Iowa students, staff and volunteers.
University of Northern Iowa
Confluence
Author
Students Kelsey Ewald Kara Poppe Wynton Karanja Coleen Tanyag
Cedar Rapids, Iowa Office Brenda Nelson, PLA ASLA Patrick R. Alvord, PLA RA LEED AP Ben Sandell, PLA LEED AP ASLA Ryan Anderson, Associate ASLA
Brittany Nelson
Staff Eric O’Brien Kamyar Enshayan Laura Verden Mike Zwanziger Lynn Pakala Jeff Juhl Kellie Evers Gary Saak Construction Management Club Matt Mullen Taylor Pedersen Funding Northern Iowa Student Government UNI Sustainability Office
Panther Plot Table of contents
Panther plot overview 5 year design plan
Design Criteria 3 Existing Plan 4 Proposed Plan 6 Proposed Plan Renderings 7 Planting Plan 12 Circulation Plan & Properties 13
Design elements
Entrance Pergola 14 Gourd Tunnel 15 Garden Wash Station 16 Stacked Box Planters 18 Trellis Wall/Visual Barriers 19 Seating 20 Outdoor Classroom 21
Construction documents
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University of northern Iowa
Panther Plot About
University of Northern Iowa Campus
The Panther Plot, located directly south of the Biological Research Center, is a sustainable student-run vegetable garden for the University of Northern Iowa. As part of a community engagement project, a group of students instituted an on-campus garden at the university in the Spring of 2013. Produce was grown and harvested throughout the summer, then sold to the UNI dining centers and donated to the Northeast Iowa Food Bank.
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Mission
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The Panther Plot is a collaborative effort between students and the university community. Through the establishment of an on-campus garden, we will assist students in learning practical gardening skills and applying educational concepts concerning food systems. Additionally, the institution of an on-campus student garden will: • Fill the absence of an on-campus garden as a source of local, healthy food • Foster relationships and connections throughout the UNI community • Offer a diverse learning experience in the pursuit of academic and civic excellence
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Located on the corner of University Avenue and Jennings Drive behind the Biology Research Center. Cedar Falls, Iowa 50614
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5 year design plan & Project Scope About
A landscape plan that enhances the aesthetic and visual interest of the Panther Plot was constructed and designed to be implemented over a five year period starting in the Spring of 2015. After assessing the users’ wants and needs of the space, this vision was developed with the primary goal of increasing student awareness and interest. This can be accomplished by making the Panther Plot more attractive for students and volunteers by implementing signage that welcomes guests into the garden, forming new circulation paths that invite the visitor to wander through the garden, and providing seating for guests to rest and enjoy the space. Sustainable materials will be used as much as possible when building the new structures. This report provides the framework for phased implementation to achieve the goals of the master plan.
Existing Conditions
Before the Panther Plot, the site housed temporary classrooms for the Biology Research Center and a sidewalk cutting through the middle. Because of this, the soil is sandy in parts of the garden. Compost has been tilled in yearly, improving soil quality and adding to the grade in parts. An existing utility manhole is located in the middle of the garden and must have a 10’ clear truck clearance from the north gate. A neck will have to be put on the manhole because of the increasing grade. A temporary or movable structure such as a picnic table may be placed over it, but must be able to be moved by 1-2 people in case of emergency. A sewage pipe is currently indicated on the plans near the north end and should be protected. A permanent structure may not be placed over it, as it may need to be accessed in case of emergency.
Goals
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Implement signage to increase public awareness Create places to sit and enjoy the space Make the space more aesthetically pleasing Create a sense of entry into the space Education for students Provide produce for dining centers
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Design criteria & Programming Site Analysis
Wind, Sun, Soils - In the summer, the wind blows from east to west across the site and the sun passes directly overhead. Not much if any shade is currently provided. The soil is rather sandy but compost is being added as needed. As soil is added to the garden, care should be taken to maintain positive drainage with particular care to drain water away from the existing manhole. Circulation patterns, vehicular and pedestrian – see site map and drawings. Significant vehicular traffic from College Street and in B parking lot. This traffic increases when school in session. Views – Poor views occur from the site to Parking Lot B and the back of the Biology Research Center, and there is currently no sense of enclosure. Noise – vehicular noise from College St. & University Ave. Nuisances – birds, rabbits and occasionally deer
Visionary Implementation Plan
Phase 1 - Establish circulation paths Implement signage to increase awareness Move compost containers Move East gate to North service entrance and expand North gate to 12’ wide Build & install entrance pergolas with signage Phase B - Seating benches installed see page 20 for construction details Install hops trellis(es) and plant hops and barley Build & install entrance pergola(s) and trellis(es) with signage Phase C - Create gourd tunnels Phase D - Build herb fence Phase E - Establish sprinkler system Build education deck next to herb fences
Demographics – College student and sustainability staff maintain the garden and are the main users. They arrive by walking, biking or driving. Often, garden staff will walk to the site directly from the Center for Energy and Environmental Education. Utilities – Manhole in the middle of the garden and sewer clean out pipe as seen on the master plan. (See Sheet L101 for specific location) No water is directly available in the garden, it comes from a fire-hydrant on the southeast corner.
Adjacency matrix
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Existing plan
**See Construction Docs for scale drawings
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Existing plan renderings
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Proposed Plan
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Proposed plan
**See Construction Docs for scale drawings
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Proposed plan renderings
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Main entrance
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Center feature structure
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Outdoor Classroom
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Proposed planting plan Planting zones
Flowers
Salvia ‘Caradonna’ - ‘Walkers Low’ Catmint - ‘Happy Returns’ Daylilies - Zinnias - Tulips - Peonies - BlackEyed Susan - Dahlias - Hydrangeas - Daisies
Prairie Plants
As recommended by Tallgrass Prairie Center
Climbing Plants
Cucumbers - Morning Glory - Hops - Gourds - Coral Honeysuckle - Wisteria - Pole Beans - Silver Lace Vine
Tall Plants (Visual Barriers) Sunflowers - Corn - Tomatoes
HerbsBasil for- MPlant Boxes int - Oregano - Rosemary - Chives Cilantro - Thyme - Garlic
General Garden Plants
Peppers - Zucchini - Tomatoes - Onions - Carrots Beets - Asparagus - Broccoli - Lettuce - Etc.
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CIRCULATION PLAN AREA OF PATHS
TOTAL GARDEN AREA 17,087 SQ.FT. PATH AREA 3,240 SQ.FT. Perimeter 1,708 feet Garden paths are to be constructed with crushed limestone (see construction documents for details) and with border of bricks or pavers of some sort.
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Entrance pergolas Inspiration SKETCH
Pergola Locations
The main goal is to attract and welcome people into the space. Placing pergolas at the main entrances of the garden add dimension and enclosure for the garden. The pergola also offers a place to grow climbing vegetables and plants that could increase revenue for the garden. Around the entrance pergola, trellis fencing or prairie plants can be planted softening the visual of the main entrance.
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Gourd tunnel Inspiration pictures
Gourd Tunnel Location
A gourd tunnel in the garden is a fun and interactive feature for visitors and a way to grow more produce at the same time. Growing gourds, squash, and other climbing vegetables on a trellis will save ground space for other vegetables. The gourd tunnel is meant to draw people into the garden. Because it is a unique and interesting feature, their curiosity will bring them into the Panther Plot to see this unusual garden amenity.
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Garden wash station Inspiration pictures & specs
PLAN VIEW
Garden Wash station Location
A wash station for the garden staff is to be constructed using a utility sink, plastic fencing or wire mesh, treated wood, and a simple plumbing hookup all at counter height. It will be located in the Northwest corner. Plans call for stacked box herb planters to be implemented around it at a later date, as well as a deck and “classroom� space.
PLAN VIEW
ELEVATION
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PROVIDE: • Flexible base hookup with spray nozzle • Fixed faucet at side • Captures used water in basin & directs it to “grey water” retention barrel or french drain
Wash station perspective
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Stacked box planters Inspiration pictures & specs
Stacked Box planter Locations Stacked box planters can be used as visual barriers. They will line the outdoor classroom space in the Northwest corner of the garden providing a sense of enclosure. See the outdoor classroom page and construction documents for more information.
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Trellis wall/Visual barriers Inspirational Pictures & Sketches
Visual Barrier Locations Trellis walls or screens provide visual barriers and a sense of enclosure in the garden. They are placed strategically to hide poor views of the parking lot and back of the Biology Research Center. Priority should be given to installing trellises at the north and west ends (Phase A) where views are least desirable. They can be constructed out of wire, wood, and/or branches.
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Seating & Sketches
Seating Locations
One of the main goals to make the garden more enjoyable for guests was seating. Benches and stools can be made out of trees that are cut down on campus. These can be re-purposed into various types of seating for the garden. Multiple logs can be fastened together or one stump can be sawed off, creating a platform for a game of tictac-toe (as seen below) or can be simply a place to rest and take in the view. Re-purposing pallets or re-using salvaged wood from a barn or other structures is another way that sustainable seating can be created.
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Outdoor classroom Inspiration pictures & specs
Outdoor Classroom Location
The outdoor classroom is a space for all university students and staff to visit and spend time. Built in the corner of the garden with bench seating, a wash station, planters, and an overhead pergola create a relaxing ambiance for any small class to come out and enjoy for a change of scenery.
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Bibliography Gourd Tunnel. Web. Sept. 2014. <https://debslivinsky.wordpress.com/2010/11/>. Andrewâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Greenhouse. Web. Mar. 2015. <http://www.andrewsgreenhouse.com/catalogue/perennials/N/>. Family Handyman. Web. Oct. 2014. <http://www.familyhandyman.com/garden-structures/garden-paths/affordable-garden-path-ideas/view-all>. The Washing Station. Web. Jan. 2015. <http://fortunaacs.com/2012/uncategorized/getting-the-community-involved-the-washing-station/>. Good Food Project. Web. Jan. 2015. <http://www.goodfoodprojectcenla.org/site/Forums/tabid/89/forumid/2/threadid/11/scope/posts/Default.aspx>. Centre Jarden Barbe. Web. Mar. 2015. <http://www.pepiniere-fleurs-terre.com/catalogue/vivaces/salvia-caradonna>. Beautiful Garden. Web. Nov. 2014. <http://www.geniohouse.com/articles/Beautifull-Garden-Sample-for-Your-Home-Part-5-P93.html>. Pinterest. Web. Oct. 2014. <https://www.pinterest.com/explore/living-walls/>. The Incredible Living Wall. Web. Sept. 2014. <http://www.houselogic.com/photos/gardens/living-wall/slide/living-privacy/>.\
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This document is property of The University of Northern Iowa Office of Sustainability
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