:: Ohio University Zanesville - Zanesville Campus Master Plan ::

Stronger internal character and addition of functional event spaces
Addition of landscape trees throughout campus improves microclimate conditions, creates a more comfortable scale for pedestrians and provides a unifying element for the academic campus
Elimination of excess parking

Existing Conditions & Analysis

The existing campus conditions were evaluated on their overall contribution to the campus aesthetic and function, as well as the visitor's experience. Critical deficits include:

Lack of unifying element
Lack of central quad feature
Underutilized parking lot
Excessive number of parking spaces
Poor presentation of Herrold Hall
Ambiguous streetscape
Location of entrance relates poorly with campus whole
Lack of continuity, visual identity and arrival character
Absence of turning lane creates congestion of traffic on S.R. 146
Vegetation deficit allows disruptive wind patterns across campus
Greater potential of vehicular/pedestrian accidents due to pedestrian traffic crossing street

Campus Plan

The campus plan showcases and unifies the campus through landscape elements, realignment of vehicular routes and addition of more functional spaces

Street trees enhance character
Central gathering area
Conversion of underutilized parking area to landscaped greenspace enhances the quad's utility and brings better sense of balance to area
Addition of interior parking lot trees provide shade and enhance continuity with common quad
Realignment of access road separates parking traffic from pedestrians
Amphitheater with vegetation backdrop, provides gathering space for events, terminus for entry drive
Split realignment of entry enhances arrival character, directs traffic and relates to Herrold Hall
Realignment of pedestrian path relates to architecture
Tree mass mitigates powerful winds
Addition of turn lane minimizes disruption of S.R. 146
Perforations in tree mass allow views to campus interior from S.R. 146
Passive Park parking

Phase III Academic Campus Plan Alternative

The campus plan alternative is a more landscape-dependant scheme that involves fewer physical changes to the existing campus layout. Key improvements include:

Passive Park parking area
Landscape improvements
Structured landscape
Retain existing handicapped parking lot
Redesigned entry to Herrold Hall, extend landscape to building
Existing landscape adjacent to Herrold Hall
Solid tree mass
Clear zone for geodetic survey marker
Black 4 rail fence spans length of campus along S.R. 146
Realignment of entry road
Divided S.R. 146 at entry point to campus

Phase I Passive Park Plan

The Passive Park is a natural area designed for low-impact recreation and educational opportunities. Some of the features include:

Joe's Run
Nature Trail
Lookout Point
Restored borrow pit area
Tributary
Bridge
Floodplain
Steep ravine slopes
Stormwater Drainage
Bridge
Meadow buffer
Nature trail
Expanded tree buffer
Trail parking
Joe's Run
Boardwalk

Ecological Zones

Zones are characterized by their unique combinations of biological and physical elements that support their respective ecological communities.

Zones are based on:

Topography
Slope
Aspect
Soils
Competition for resources
Level of disturbance
Existing conditions

Zones

Michael Ecker, a horticulturist from the Dawes Arboretum and Jennifer Gelb from Myers Schmalenberger, conducted a field assessment survey on July 21. The purpose of the field assessment was to determine the current ecological conditions of the proposed passive park area and to evaluate the placement of the planned nature trail.

The approximately 70-acre area consists of mostly secondary growth forest, a deep ravine and Joe's Run, a sandy-bottom stream. The predominant issue concerning the area is the abundance of invasive species.

Several different areas or "zones" were identified based on their distinct ecological character. Each zone supports a slightly different community of organisms. The local flora plays a major role in ecological function of each community. A well-balanced community functioning in harmony with other communities benefits the larger whole. It is important, therefore, to provide and preserve conditions that foster native plant populations. Unlike non-native species, native plants are naturally adapted to their respective environments. Therefore, an ecological community built upon native species will be more inclined to remain balanced and healthy than one infiltrated with invasive materials.

The criteria used to determine the different zones include topography, slope, aspect, soils, competition for resources, disturbance and drainage. The slope and aspect, competition, and disturbance potential were the most discernable factors from our research of the site. As a result, nine distinct zones were identified.

Edge
Ravine
Meadow
Riparian
Upland
Upland clearing
Disturbed woodland
Slope face- North
Slope face-West

The following paragraphs detail the key characteristics and issues as well as the native plant species most suitable to each zone given these factors.

Edge
Characterized by thin strips of residual vegetation. Ratio of edge to interior is high. Often associated with fencerows, division between agricultural fields, etc. Characterized by scrub growth, early successional species, and large overstory trees. Significant exposure to sunlight and winds. Common for invasive species to dominate.

Characteristic Vegetation: Oaks, Sumac, Raspberries, Hackberry, Box elder, Black locust, Invasive spp.

Recommendations: Reducing the amount of edge improves overall quality of the woodland. Interior habitat generally supports more sensitive organisms. Expand width of edge with scattered planting of shade trees offset from the strip. Allow understory to develop while removing invasive species manually as needed.

Species to Preserve and Introduce: Oak (White, Pin, Shingle, Bur), Black Cherry, Sassafras, Hickory spp., White Ash, Serviceberry, Chokeberry, Gray dogwood, Bottlebrush buckeye, Sumac, Nannyberry

Ravine
Characterized by steep slopes, dense shade, and well-drained soils with a thin layer organic soil layer. The ravine is a sensitive zone because of its significant sloping terrain. Erosion appears to be affecting its current condition. Adjacent land use is likely influencing local runoff. Increased volume and redirected flow are jeopardizing the ravine community because of the erosion of the organic soil layer and structural soils. Efforts to protect and enhance near off-site vegetation should be made for preventative purposes. Establishing a denser understory will help to stabilize conditions. The delicate soils can further be protected by raised boardwalk systems that terraces to the stream elevation.

Recommended trees and shrubs include: Witch-hazel, Spicebush, Pagoda dogwood, Ninebark, Chokeberry, Amelanchier, Yellow birch, Paw paw, Lance leaf buckthorn, Butternut, Chestnut, Green Ash

Recommended herbaceous plants: Wild ginger, Hepatica, Wild geranium, Maidenhair fern, Bloodroot, Trout lily, Solomon's seal, Baneberry

Meadow
The two areas depicted as meadow are similar in that they are composed primarily of forbs and grasses. The underlying topography is different, however, which heavily influences the vegetation. The larger, western meadow sits on well-drained soil, with full sun. The smaller eastern meadow is tucked up against two other zones. As a result the border where the three zones meet provides greater protection and morning shade. This is more suitable for species like monarda and turtlehead. In addition, the area sits in a slight depression and has less drainage. These wetter conditions may be suitable to perennials like Joe-Pye weed and cardinal flower that are tolerant of wetter conditions.

Transforming the areas from the more generic meadow to prairie involves significant resources. The removal of all existing vegetation would be critical-a task of significant time and maintenance. Leaving the areas as they are with a regular mowing is sufficient. Mowing will control woody materials and keep perennials more vigorous. If resources become available, consider taking the steps necessary for a complete prairie restoration project. The process and resulting ecological system would offer a valuable educational opportunity.

Recommended meadow species for preservation and introduction: New England Aster, Butterfly Weed, Indigo, Coreopsis, Coneflower, Beardtongue, Black-eyed Susan, Goldenrod, Bee Balm, Liatris, Joe-Pye Weed, Sneeze weed, Turtlehead, Lead plant, Rattlesnake master, Compass plant, Purple meadow rue, Prairie dock, Obedient plant, Culver's root, Spiderwort, Rosin weed

Riparian
The riparian corridor is a dynamic environment. Conditions appear to fluctuate rapidly with weather events. Vegetation suitable for the zone should be capable of withstanding fluctuating water levels.

Presence of mature riparian trees indicates an established ecosystem with species including sycamore, box elder, sassafras and honeylocust.

Recommended trees and shrubs include: River birch, Cottonwood, Silver maple, Red-osier dogwood, Buttonbush, Water hyacinth, Virginia bluebells, Monkeyflower, True-forget-me-not, Big blue lobelia, Cardinal flower, Turtlehead

Upland
The upland is characterized by well-drained soils, greater exposure to sun and wind, fewer overstory trees, and drier conditions.

Recommended trees and shrubs include: Hickory, Oak (Pin, Black, Post, Scarlet, White), Chestnut, Pine (Yellow, Pitch), Wild Rose, Coralberry, Juniper, Hawthorn, Honeylocust, Black locust, Buckeye, Black-haw viburnum, Maple-leaf viburnum, Hazelwood

Upland Clearing
The upland clearing is unique because of its previous use as a borrow pit. The openness and steep terrain of the zone make it vulnerable to forceful rain and winds and intense temperatures. The fragile soils have little organic material and are susceptible to erosion as evidenced by washouts and gullies. Efforts to stabilize the soils should continue with the addition of plant material capable of withstanding the harsh conditions. Many prairie plants are suitable to these conditions and should be consider as immediate means to the ultimate goal of restoring the hillside to a forested upland. Views should be considered when planting any trees capable of reaching significant height, as they will obstruct views to the surrounding landscape.

Recommended trees and shrubs: Pine (Pin. Post, Black, Scarlet, White), Sumac, Bayberry, Raspberry, Juniper

Recommended perennials: Black-eyed Susan, Liatris, Coreopsis, Aster, Big bluestem, Little bluestem, Goldenrod, Lead plant, Milkweed

Disturbed Woodland
The area is characterized by its significant population of invasive species. The exposure to off-site land use heavily influences its character. The golf course directly to the north and several residences to the east have impacted the composition of the zone. The area is thick with multi-flora rose, Japanese honeysuckle, and privet. These suburban landscape species have made their way in to the area through the edges of the woodland. Residual native species are still present but are severely threatened because of the prolific nature of the invasive species.

Recommended trees and shrubs to preserve and introduce: Beech, Tuliptree, Spicebush, Sugar maple, Sycamore, Native ferns, Flowering dogwood, Arrowwood viburnum

Slope Face-North and Slope Face-West
Both slope-faces are characterized by significant slope, a mature overstory, and protected microclimate. The northern slope will tend to be cooler and moister than the western slope, but both are quite similar in composition. The zones are similar to that of the disturbed woodland, but have been separated because of level of invasive species present in the disturbed woodland. The slope zones are both situated between wooded zones, which provides an added layer of protection. There are also similarities between the slope zones and the ravine zone. Many of the herbaceous materials occurring in one, will be found in the other.

Recommended trees, shrubs, and perennials for introduction and preservation: Sugar maple, Beech, Basswood, Nannyberry, American cranberry bush, White ash, Jack-in-the-pulpit, Trillium, Hepatica, Wild geranium, Wild ginger, Pennsylvania sedge, Christmas fern, Maidenhair fern

Rehabilitation for Ecological Zones

Priority based on zone by zone basis.

Criteria include:

Proximity to academic campus
Connection to other zones
Distance to nature trail
Current ecological conditions

The primary objective for each zone is to achieve a state of ecological balance. In order to best determine how this objective may be met, a committee of experts and other interested parties should be organized drawing from both the local academic and professional community. Once a methodology is devised, students or service groups could conduct research projects or fulfill community service objectives.

Invasive Species
Characteristics and Methods of Control

Japanese Honeysuckle Lonicera japonica

Description:

Semi-evergreen vine with fragrant, white tubular flowers that grow in pairs
Black to purple berries
Spread by birds
Common to fields, forest openings and edges, along fencerows and roadsides

Problem:

Spreads rapidly
Overtops and smothers surrounding small trees and shrubs
Crawls along ground until light levels increase and then grows up through canopy

Control:
Watch for and immediately destroy small plants. Once plants are established most effective control is foliar application of 1.5% glyphosate herbicide shortly after first killing frost when natives are dormant. The temperature should be near or preferably above freezing. Applications within two days of the first killing frost and before the first hard frost are most effective. Pulling, cutting, mowing, burning generally stimulate dense re-growth.

Multi-flora Rose Rosa multiflora

Description:

Large vigorous shrub with 10' long arching stems and clusters of single, 1" wide white flowers that appear all over in June, followed by red hips in August. The shrub has 5-10, 1" leaflets and stout thorns
Spread by birds

Problem:

Forms dense impenetrable thickets

Control:
Regular mowing in grassy areas will keep growth in check. Medium to large shrubs need to be removed with a weed pulling tool or dug out by hand after the thorny tops are cut away. Treating the stumps with glyphosate herbicide also help to prevent resprouting.

Privet Ligustrum spp.

Description:

Persistent black, berry-like fruits
Stout, many-branched, deciduous shrub that grows to 15' tall
Leaves grow opposite along stems
Clusters of small, white flowers are produced from May through June

Problem:

Extremely aggressive, forming dense impenetrable thickets crowd that crowd out more desirable species
Privet invades natural area river bottoms, open woods, fencerows and roadsides
Spread by suckers and birds

Control:
Remove small specimens by hand. For larger shrubs apply glyphosate herbicide to the foliage for actively growing materials and to the stump of freshly cut wood.

Source
Brooklyn Botanic Garden's Invasive Plants: Weeds of the Global Garden, editors John M. Randall and Janet Marinelli, 1996.