Central Green Renovation
The
Central Green will be an area of expansion and landscaping improvement in
the near future. The 7 acre parcel is bounded by the Commons,
Erickson Hall, AOK Library, Center Road and many other buildings
surrounding its exterior. The Central Green is roughly in the center of
campus and lies as a middle point between academic and housing portions of
campus. Students, staff, and faculty currently use this area for recreation,
study and events. Over the past few years, it has seen quite a bit of use and even
overuse from nearby construction and traffic.
Currently, plans are being sketched out and proposals are being drafted
to be passed by UMBC Administration. It is envisioned that the central green
will become exactly that, a central spot on campus for people to use, while
also pleasing the eye through the use of natural elements and
design.
Foliage,
shrubs and other plants would be inserted to spruce up the central green and
give the campus a more naturalistic feel. The project also includes a formal
garden with an honors wall. The various trees chosen will provide color and
vegetation year round.
A wooden arcade would also be
constructed that would stretch from the current Public Policy Building to
the Albin O. Kuhn Library. See the photo rendering at the bottom of this
page for an example of
how it may appear if you were looking towards the Library.
Another major change will be in the orientation, elevation and placement
of the central green field. Current plans show it will turn 90 degrees and
the slope surrounding the field will be decreased. The field will actually
become bigger and be more equipped for use by intramural and extracurricular
activity.
Walkways may also become more streamlined. Because the most common paths
are straight lines from one building to another across the green, this is
how the majority of the walkways will be laid out.
The current curve shaped terracing in front of the library will remain,
as will most existing trees.
Funding options are being researched for this project. Therefore dates and financing are not yet known.
