6. Recreation and Residence
This landscape zone consists of two subsets that are adjacent to one another but
distinctly different. The general landscape development within this overall area will
require a simplistic design approach incorporating a durable and easy-to-maintain planting
design. Areas within the active recreation fields are to remain open turf; however, the
transitional spaces between active play areas should be defined by informal groupings of
large shade trees with tables and gathering areas incorporated beneath their canopies. The
incorporation of these groves will compartmentalize the impact of the vast recreation
fields by breaking down sightlines and giving edges to the various play areas. In
addition, experimentation with native meadow grasses, as well as ornamental grasses and
perennials, in transitional spaces will help reduce maintenance.
The Residential Areas should be moderately enhanced with strategic massing of
understory trees and durable perennial flowers for color and intimate scale. The
Residential Areas shall, however, primarily remain open and flexible for their multi-use
functions. A further opportunity exists for a more intimate landscape design at the
housing facilities' entryways. Shrub massing should be added here.
- Large scale plantings of shade trees native to this coastal area should provide
definition to spectator seating areas.
- Experimentation with drought tolerant wildflower plots and native grasses is possible in
transitional spaces between play fields.
- Tough perennials like daylilies and irises, and ornamental grasses should be planted to
enrich pocket areas of the Residential Core.
- Understory trees with seasonal color will provide the personal scale to the Residence
- A playful opportunity could occur here by locating swings in the Residential areas.
These swings should be located in gathering areas near tree masses to provide a canopy
enclosure to the setting.
- Variety should be introduced into the Apartment gardens. An extremely high quantity of
Red Tip Photinias exist here. Due to their disease problems, these Photinias should be
replaced with other hardier evergreens such as hollies. A phasing plan for
their replacement is necessary.
- The large paved circular concrete areas which exist in the University Apartments should
be softened with tree pit cut outs and with the introduction of brick paving borders.
- Seating areas should be introduced wherever possible to provide gathering areas. Low
seatwalls in combination with raised planters would define spaces, provide seating, as
well as conceal views to the extensive bicycle parking stations.
- Details are important to the Residential gardens. Daffodil bulbs in masses would provide
garden detail with limited maintenance. In addition, large specimen evergreen trees would
allow for lighting ceremonies by the students during the Christmas holiday season.
- A study should be performed on pedestrian circulation through the residential areas.
Presently several pathways are worn through landscape areas.
A low level of maintenance will be important to this overall zone. The plant pallet
should consist of durable plants which require little spraying or pruning.
Lawn maintenance will be high on the recreational fields but native grasses and tree
groves will reduce the maintenance needs between these fields. The lawn areas in the
Residential zones should remain at a moderate maintenance level.
- Irrigation should be phased into the residential gardens and lawn areas.
- Grasses and wildflower plantings placed between the recreational fields should be
maintained in a similar fashion to the NCDOT wildflower plots.
- Leaf litter clean up and pruning of foundation shrubs in the Residential zone will be
necessary on a limited basis.
Betula nigra/River Birth
Fraxinus pennsylvanica/Green Ash
Pinus palustris/Longleaf Pine
Quercus phellos/Willow Oak
Quercus nigra/Water Oak
Andropogon virginicus/Broom Sedge
Eragrostis curvula/Weeping Love Grass
Miscanthus sinensis 'Morning Light'/Maiden Grass
Panicum virgatum 'Heavy Metal'/'Heavy Metal' Switchgrass
Pennisetum alopecuroides/Fountain Grass
Rudbeckia fulgida var. sullivanti/Black-Eyed Susan
Cercis canadensis 'Forest Pansy'/Forest Pansy Redbud
Halesia carolina/Carolina Silverbell
Koelreuteria paniculata/Golden Rain Tree
Pistacia chinensis/Chinese Pistache
Ulmus parvifolia 'Drake'/Drake Elm
Ilex vomitoria 'Nana'/Dwarf Yaupon Holly
Myrica cerifera var. pumila/Dwarf Wax Myrtle
Pittosporum tobira 'Nana'/Dwarf Pittosporum
Raphiolepis indica/Indian Hawthorn
Viburnum tinus 'Compacta'/Compact tinus Viburnum
Coreopsis verticillata `Moonbeam'/Moonbeam Coreopsis
Echinacea angustifolia/Purple Coneflower
Monarda didyma/Bee Balm
Sedum telephium 'Autumn Joy'/Autumn Joy Sedum
Stokesia laevis/Stokes Aster
Verbena canadensis `Homestead'/Purple Verbena