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University of Kansas
Prairie Acre Future Site Design Spring 2016 EVRN 615
Authors Rodney Hodges, Robert Marshall, John McIntosh, Billy Tope, and Ryan Waters
Prairie Acre (McIntosh- Prairie Acre, KU- 2016)
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Table of Contents
1. Introduction 3
2. Phase I- Prairie Acre Flora 6
1. Prairie Acre Restoration 6
2. Demonstration Garden 7
3. Phase II- Prairie Acre Infrastructure 10
1. Outdoor Multipurpose Area 10
2. ADA and Walkways 10
3. Perimeter Rock Wall 13
4. Phase III- Indiana Street Triangle 14
1. Option 1: Sunflower/prairie grass patch 15
2. Option 2: Street side visitor/bus parking 17
5. Conclusion 18
6. Works Cited 20
7. Appendix 22
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Abstract: Among the numerous lawns, flowerbeds, and stands of trees located throughout the University of Kansas, some are not only historically important but ecologically important as well. Dating back to 1878 when Chancellor James Marvin secured native walnut trees to be planted by faculty and students in what was then known as “North Hollow,” but is now better known as Marvin Grove, the University has a long history of preservation and conservation efforts (Campus Heritage plan, p. 6 - 1). The University of Kansas Campus Heritage Plan lists Prairie Acre as eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) as a result of its historical significance dating to 1929. With that history in mind, the Spring 2016 Environmental Studies Capstone students set out to develop additional restoration, preservation, and conservation plans, which would continue in those historical footsteps. The Future Site Design Group specifically sought to design elements that could be included in the Prairie Acre restoration project, as well as the area surrounding Prairie Acre, so that underutilized space would be more purposeful and deserving of continued preservation and restoration. Elements to be included will fulfill educational, aesthetic, biodiversity and erosion control roles. Ultimately, the Prairie Acre and the surrounding areas will be enhanced for students, staff, faculty and the general public for many generations to come. INTRODUCTION
Tucked away in a corner of the University of Kansas’ Lawrence campus, a small remnant
of native prairie has remained untouched since the University’s inception. This area, known as
Prairie Acre, has been largely sheltered from development since its dedication in 1932; however,
years of neglect and improper management have led to its gradual decline (Hersey). Fortunately,
not all hope is lost for Prairie Acre. Recent efforts have begun to improve the health of Prairie
Acre; however, it is the belief of Dr. Kelly Kindscher and the Environmental Studies Capstone
students that a redesign and restoration is in order to rejuvenate the area. This report, one facet of
a six-part effort to create a comprehensive restoration plan for Prairie Acre, will focus on
proposed redesigns of Prairie Acre and adjacent areas. Beginning with Prairie Acre proper, this
report tackles potential obstacles associated with the redesign, offers suggestions for the future,
and serves as a springboard for the creation of a new Prairie Acre.
To more easily and effectively communicate our vision for a new Prairie Acre, this report
has been divided into sections based on the implementation phase in which the project has been
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placed. Besides Prairie Acre proper—the original, one-third acre prairie remnant—an area just
north of Prairie Acre and the triangular plot just south of Prairie Acre have been slated for future
projects. Proposals for each of these sites will be detailed later in the report; however, a brief
overview will be provided here.
As of April 2016, plans have already been put in motion to replant and reseed Prairie Acre
with over 100 additional native prairie plants. While these plans move forward, a redesign of the
original Prairie Acre is largely unneeded although there are several points of focus within Prairie
Acre, which must be addressed. First, the dry-stack stone wall which once marked the
boundaries of Prairie Acre is in a poor state of repair
and will soon require restacking or complete
removal. A second area of concern near Prairie Acre
is the dirt walking path heading east from Prairie
Acre in front of the Chancellor’s house (Figure 1).
Currently a source of erosion, this “cowpath”
requires some type of paving in order to limit further
degradation. More prominent signage denoting the
significance of Prairie Acre is another concern
though this will be more thoroughly explored in a separate report. Given Prairie Acre’s historical
significance and the restoration efforts currently in progress, a redesign of the area will not be
proposed at this time.
One of the largest issues faced by efforts to restore and preserve native prairie is the lack of
awareness demonstrated by the general public. Much of this disinterest, however, can be
attributed to a lack of knowledge; therefore, a demonstration garden populated with
Figure 1- Cowpath heading east from Prairie Acre (Robert Marshall- 2016)
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representative native prairie species would remedy this and is a top priority for future efforts. A
suitable site just north of Prairie Acre has been chosen for the demonstration garden. This site
provides a relatively flat foundation with excellent drainage, suitable soil type, and a south-
facing slope with adequate sunlight. The design for this garden, based on established
permaculture practices, is intended to provide an aesthetically-pleasing and inviting environment
which is both easy to maintain and open to visitation by the university’s student body, faculty,
staff, and the general public (Building a Mandala Garden). During our research, relatively few
physical obstacles to the establishment of a demonstration garden have been found, and it is the
recommendation of this report that such a garden be created as soon as possible.
Formed by the intersections of Indiana Street, Sunnyside Avenue, and Sunflower Road, the
Indiana Street Triangle (hereafter referred to simply as “the Triangle”) is located just to the south
of Prairie Acre. This area is owned by the University and is currently planted to Bermuda grass,
which is mowed by the University staff. Such a large area (55,000 ft2) so near to Prairie Acre
holds great potential for complete restoration to native prairie or a less-intensive restoration
which would involve planting a combination of native grasses and sunflowers (Brandenburgh et
al., 17). Furthermore, given the need to inform the public of Prairie Acre and prairie ecosystems
more generally, the currently unused triangle could potentially be adapted to allow for bus
parking and facilitate field trips to the area. While the triangle holds great potential, it has been
given a low priority at this time in favor of the Prairie Acre restoration and establishment of a
demonstration garden.
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PHASE I
Prairie Acre Restoration. Prairie Acre is currently undergoing a restoration involving the
implementation of routine burning management practices, and as of April 2016 a replanting
initiative to reintroduce biodiversity
lost due to long-term neglect. The
site design goal for the restoration of
Prairie Acre is to expand the native
grass area beyond the existing
perimeter wall, displacing the entirety
of the surrounding Bermuda grass
area with prairie plant species. In the
2008 Campus Heritage Plan, the
report identified ‘treatment zones’ as “areas of campus maintaining significant commonalities
with their ‘sense of place’ within the campus fabric” and would therefore justify the removal of
the Bermuda grass surrounding Prairie Acre as it does not contribute to the commonality of the
Prairie Acre Treatment Zone (Campus Heritage Plan, 2008). Removing trees in the treatment
zone will also be necessary as a function of expanding the prairie grasses since the two types of
flora will be competing for the same resources. Tree removal will require an inventory provided
by the Kansas Forest Service in order to determine tree health and which trees will require
removal. It is the Site Design group’s conviction that eliminating dead/dying trees will enhance
the visual appeal of Prairie Acre and the adjacent areas by removing visual obstructions.
Currently, a significant challenge in the Prairie Acre restoration is dealing with the dry-
stone wall forming the perimeter of the original prairie grass plot. According to the 2008 Campus
Figure 2- Proposed expansion of Prairie Acre (Robert Marshall/Google Earth 2016) The dark green area is the current Prairie Acre site, while the intermediate shade represents an area which has been recently planted in native species, and the lightest shade is the proposed area for expansion.
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Heritage Plan, Prairie Acre is eligible for selection into the National Register of Historic Places
(NRHP), which is operated by the National Park Service. Should the age, integrity, and
significance be deemed great enough, Prairie Acre could be admitted. Some incentives for being
admitted into the NRHP include federal preservation grants for planning and rehabilitation as
well as federal investment tax credits for the University of Kansas (United States National Park
Service). Any further action involving the dry-stone wall is pending assessment from the
National Park Service, or any other concerned parties within the University administration.
Modification of the dry stone wall will be elaborated more in Phase II of this report; however, in
relation to expansion of the prairie grass plot, it is recommended that the wall be entirely
removed in order to create the most available ground space for prairie species.
Demonstration Garden. The demonstration garden component of the Future Site Design group
will be very important in the future. The purpose of the demonstration garden is to help visitors
from the University or the surrounding community who are currently uninformed about native
prairies in Kansas. When designing the demonstration
garden, many factors needed to be addressed to ensure
that space is used effectively and efficiently. As a group,
we hoped to design a garden that would be both easy to
maintain and friendly to the public. Furthermore, our
design is meant to allow access to all areas of the garden
without causing disturbances to the plant beds and also to
eliminate trampling of the garden. Figure 3- Proposed Demonstration Garden Design (Billy Tope- 2016)
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The layout and design of the demonstration garden is based on a permaculture practice
known as a Mandala or keyhole garden (Figure 3). This design is meant to maximize the amount
of gardening space while still allowing for easy access to all parts of the garden without
trampling any of the plants (Building a Mandala Garden, 2007). Ensuring the site was accessible
and appealing to visitors was one of the key objectives that we wanted to address. Our proposed
design has pathways large enough for teachers and other lecturers to lead tours for students and
the general public. Two other groups, who are working on education and signage, will be
collaborating to create signs that will help educate visitors about the native plants. We were also
able to collaborate with the group focused on promoting healthy communities of pollinators who
assisted us in determining the garden’s dimensions. After collaborating with the pollinators
group, 300 ft2 of bed space was determined to be sufficient for all of the intended plants that will
be going into the demonstration garden. Using AutoCAD, a scale design of the garden with the
appropriate bed space was created and resulted in the dimensions 20ftx20ft. The pathways are 2ft
in width and the inner circle is 7ft in diameter.
Another objective that we wanted to be sure to address is that of easy maintenance.
Learning from past experiences and as seen in the KU Native Medicinal Plant Garden (see
Appendix B), weeds tend to pose a major problem in gardens of this design and can take over
open spaces like the pathways. One way this problem can be addressed is by the use of cement
pavers or gravel to create pathways. The only drawback to using these materials is that they can
be very expensive to purchase and labor-intensive to install (see Appendix A). An alternative
would be to use mulch for the pathways as it can be acquired free of charge from many tree
trimming companies, although this mulch may not be of the highest quality. The choice of
material will likely be based upon the total budget for the demonstration garden and the amount
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deemed appropriate to spend on the pathways. Construction of the demonstration garden will be
a large undertaking that will require recruitment of volunteers as well as knowledgeable staff to
construct.
The demonstration garden’s location is key to the design. We wanted to ensure that the
garden would be in an ideal location
in terms of surface water
management and easy access for
visitors. Based on the slope of the
ground on and around Prairie Acre,
it was decided that the garden
should be placed just northeast of
the current Prairie Acre. This
location has a slight gradient to prevent water from pooling but not so much that a heavy rain
could wash the garden away. This location is also free of any physical obstructions such as rocks,
trees or shrubs so that it would not require extensive preparation for planting. Furthermore, this
location has adequate space for our design and is located near an established sidewalk ensuring
that the demonstration garden will be highly visible and inviting.
Figure 4- Location of Demonstration Garden relative to Prairie Acre (Billy Tope- 2016)
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PHASE II
Outdoor Multipurpose Area. The Site Design group wishes to create a multiuse outdoor area for
visitors to gather and experience Prairie Acre. We believe that the multiuse area should be an
inviting place where KU students can gather for a lecture outside, elementary school students can
have a class field trip, or just a spot to hang out
and relax. The multiuse area will be located about
15 yards to the northeast of the prairie plot aligned
with the existing corner limestone wall. Making an
arc from the 90 degree wall, a lectern that will also
function as an information sign detailing the
prairie renovation itself should be installed.
Radiating out from the lectern in three arcs,
benches will be placed for general seating purposes as illustrated in Figure 5. The benches
measure 11’ in the closest to the lectern, 4’ benches in the middle arc, and 5’ benches in the arc
furthest from the lectern. Ideally, some sort of reclaimed or recycled wood or tree trunks should
be used to form these benches; however, due to budget concerns we have provided some lower
cost mass-produced alternatives (see Appendix A). We believe our design can meet the general
needs of the public and the University of Kansas for providing a public gathering space adjacent
to Prairie Area.
ADA and Walkways. An additional focus for Phase II of this project is the overall aesthetics of
Prairie Acre to make Prairie Acre more aesthetically pleasing, promote visitation and evoke
curiosity.
Figure 5- Seating layout in multi-use area (Billy Tope- 2016)
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The first step is to increase the handicap accessibility to Prairie Acre. At present, there is only
one handicap access point that is further up on Sunflower Road. In order to create more handicap
access points we need to fix the current sidewalks to make sure they conform to ADA rules and
regulations. According to the Americans with Disabilities Act, a “60-inch minimum width can
accommodate turns and passing space and is recommended for sidewalks adjacent to curbs in
order to provide travel width away from the drop-off at street edge; a 48-inch width can
accommodate side-by-side travel with a service animal (Accessible Sidewalks and Street
Crossings, 2016).” After retrofitting the old sidewalks, we then need to focus on inputting the
new sidewalks. When designing the new sidewalks, we need to keep in mind the grade, slope,
elevation, and curb ramps. Curb ramps are required for sidewalks that lead directly into the
roadway. We will need one curb ramp for the sidewalk that will lead off of Sunnyside Avenue.
According to the Americans with Disabilities Act, “The running slope of a new curb ramp should
not exceed 1 in 12 (8.33%) (Accessible Sidewalks and Street Crossings, 2016).” Also, the cross
slope should be limited to 1:48 (2%). Other guidelines include the transition from curb-ramp to
gutter should be flush and lips are not permitted. The gutter counter slope in the line of travel
should not exceed (5%) and should connect smoothly with other elements of the pedestrian
network. In addition, the ADA states that, “The boundary between the sidewalk and street should
be detectable underfoot, a 24 inch strip of truncated dome material should be provided the full
width of the ramp or other uncurbed connection to the crosswalk.” Truncated domes are
important because they help prevent pedestrians from inadvertently entering the roadway by
giving a tactile warning of the sidewalk’s end. As for the grade of the sidewalk, design
parameters suggest that grades should not exceed 5 percent, however, with a permit, the
maximum grade that can be achieved is 8.3 percent for 30 ft. before a level landing must be
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installed. As for the slope of the sidewalk, ADA Accessibility Guidelines state the maximum
cross slope allowed is 2 percent; severe cross slopes would require pedestrians to work against
gravity to maintain their balance that could possibly result in bodily harm (Accessible Sidewalks
and Street Crossings, 2016).
For the final component of phase II, we want to focus on transforming the “cowpath” into
a more refined and resilient pedestrian walkway. Concrete pavers are a great choice for a
pathway because of their versatility, cost, maintenance, strength, and resistance to weather.
Paver stone walkways are an excellent choice because they offer many choices in size, shape,
and color, which may be determined by the KU Facilities department for ease of maintenance. In
addition, the cost of repairing concrete pavers is inexpensive because each individual paver stone
can be replaced should it become damaged while undamaged pavers remain in place. Like all
forms of concrete, pavers expand and contract with changes in temperature, but do not crack like
slabs of concrete (Brown). Routine maintenance of pavers is relatively minimal and deicing
agents are not required during snowy weather. Facilities staff can also shovel or plow snow
without worrying about damaging the pavers.
Our second option is gravel, which comes in a variety of materials and grades. The best
use for gravel is on pathways that have light to moderate foot traffic (Planning a Backyard Path:
Gravel Paths). With proper maintenance, the integrity of the gravel-surfaced pathway will be
relatively resilient and provide a refined appearance versus the unfinished “cowpath” present
today. Maintenance requirements will include monthly weeding and the addition of more gravel
as the surface material subsides into the soil beneath. Finally, it is highly recommended to
include a border when using gravel because it will help constrain the gravel to one area.
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Perimeter Rock Wall. The next part we want to focus on is transforming the crumbling rock
border around Prairie Acre. According to University of Kansas Department of History Professors
Dr. Mark Hersey and Dr. Robb Campbell, by the end of the 1940s, KU erected a small stonewall
around Prairie Acre (Hersey and Robb, 2016). The stone wall was created for two reasons; to
clearly demarcate the boundaries of Prairie Acre and to ensure its preservation for future
generations. Modifying the stone wall is a concern regarding the historical value and will require
future research into
determining if the need to
be maintained ‘as-is’ or if
modification is
permissible. Therefore, we
propose reusing the
current material and
building a wall alongside
the perimeter of the
existing sidewalks, in order to limit material and labor costs. If there is no opposition to replacing
the stone wall, we have two proposals. The first proposal is to remove the wall entirely and
expand the natural prairie grasses to the edge of the sidewalk surrounding the existing prairie
plot (Figure 6). The dry-stone material from the wall may be recycled for other masonry projects
involved with the Prairie Acre renovation should the desire arise, such as forming a perimeter
barrier around the demonstration garden. Further investigation into the labor costs for the rock
removal will require a price quote from Facilities Services or a third-party contractor. Our
second proposal is a modification of the dry-stone wall should there be public or administrative
Figure 6- Dry stone wall proposal 2 (Robert Marshall/Google Earth). The yellow line marks the proposed location of the stone wall.
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interest in retaining the perimeter wall. Using existing limestone material, we wish to form a low
border wall similar to its current form along the southern edge of the sidewalk to the north of
Prairie Acre and leaving the southern edge of the prairie plot without a wall. We believe this
proposal to be a fair compromise to keep the dry-stone wall present while creating an
uninterrupted native prairie tract to improve Prairie Acre’s visual appearance.
PHASE III
Across Sunnyside Avenue just south of Prairie Acre is a large triangular plot of land
owned by the University. At present, this triangle has well-established Bermuda grass and is kept
neatly mowed by the University staff.
However, given the area’s proximity to Prairie
Acre, size, and current aesthetically
unappealing appearance, there is great
potential for a future expansion of the Prairie
Acre complex (Brandenburgh et al. 17). With
an area of almost 55,000 ft2 (~1.25 acres), the
triangle is likely not a viable option for a full
prairie restoration given the limited resources
of the Prairie Acre restoration project. Cost of
prairie plants along with the amount of labor required to prepare the plot for planting make a full
restoration prohibitively expensive (Steinauer et al. 19). Furthermore, the presence of road signs,
fire hydrants, and sidewalks along the perimeter of the triangle preclude the conversion of the
entire plot, as visibility and access to these structures must be preserved. Therefore, current
Figure 7- Indiana Street Triangle (Google Earth- 2016)
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infrastructure somewhat limits new designs for the triangle. Still, the possibilities for this area are
endless although this report proposes two options, which could be implemented separately or in
tandem and would serve to boost the aesthetic appeal of the area and facilitate visits to Prairie
Acre.
Option 1- Sunflower/Prairie Grass patch. The first of these options is to plant a patch of tall
native sunflowers interspersed with a mix of short to medium height prairie grasses. The desired
aesthetic of this replant is that of a field of sunflowers, a native plant that is Kansas’ state flower
and strongly tied to the image of the state as a whole. Not only would a patch of sunflowers on
the triangle be aesthetically pleasing in its own right, but it would also help create a more
cohesive sense of native landscape in the area. Native sunflowers are also an excellent food
source for pollinators and would greatly benefit pollinator communities in the
area. Furthermore, while a complete prairie restoration would involve the purchase or collection
of a multitude of prairie plant species, a field of sunflowers and native grasses would be far less
expensive to establish.
Based on the acreage of the Triangle and the fact that a mowed perimeter must be
maintained, the planted section need not be much larger than one acre (Figure 7). This single
acre will still require a significant amount of seed, but the majority of this seed could be
collected by hand without too much difficulty (Steinauer et al. 25). The site could be planted in
annual Peredovik sunflowers (Helianthus annuus); however, we believe that native perennial
sunflowers would be a better choice. Maximilian sunflower (Helianthus maximilianii), sawtooth
sunflower (Helianthus grosseserratus), and Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus) are
several examples of native perennial sunflowers though availability of seeds will dictate which
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species are eventually planted (Steinauer et al. 51). While perennial sunflowers are to be the
primary species planted, some prairie grasses should be included to enhance biodiversity
(Schramm 3). The seed mix could be heavily skewed in favor of the sunflowers and include as
little as one pound of grass seed per acre with the rest being composed of sunflower seed. A
variety of grasses would be suitable for this purpose, although little bluestem (Schizachyrium
scoparium) and prairie dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepis) are unlikely to outcompete the
sunflowers and would be ideal candidates (Schramm 3).
Before the Triangle could be planted with perennial sunflowers and native grasses, the
currently established Bermuda grass would have to be removed. Bermuda grass is tenacious,
highly competitive, and difficult to control (Cudney et al.). Fortunately, there are several
management strategies, which could be used to remove the Bermuda grass and create a clear soil
surface. Glyphosate herbicides like Roundup have proven effective though only with repeated
applications over a 10-12 week period (Common Bermuda grass). These herbicides are non-
selective and great care would have be taken when spraying to prevent the accidental kill of
nearby plants in Prairie Acre. Mulching is a second method, which could be used to remove the
Bermuda grass. By completely covering the Triangle with black plastic mulch or other opaque
material for 6-8 weeks during the summer, the Bermuda grass could be effectively starved of
sunlight and killed (Cudney et al.). Once the Bermuda grass was removed, the Triangle could
easily be replanted by hand broadcasting the seed mix (Steinauer et al. 55). If available,
volunteer help could expedite the replant.
While the relatively low projected cost and ease of implementation make replanting the
triangle with sunflowers an attractive option, it is also likely to be acceptable to the neighbors
and nearby community residents whereas a more drastic redesign might not. The triangle is
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wholly located on university property; however, before proceeding with any plans, it would be
necessary to consult nearby residents and find their opinion. Plans for the triangle remain
indefinite and are not likely to be implemented for some time; therefore, such surveys have not
been undertaken.
Option 2. A second, far more expensive and ambitious option is to expand Sunflower Road,
cutting into the southwestern face of the Triangle in order to create an area for long-term bus
parking. Presently, there is no convenient place that buses can offload passengers, an obstacle
which could prevent a newly restored
Prairie Acre from being used to its full
potential. While technically, the triangle
and adjacent portion of Sunflower Road are
on University property, the University
complies with city regulations in cases of
new road construction (Project
Management Manual 47). From a policy
perspective, coordinating with the city and
university on the matter of creating a
parking area on Sunflower Road would be
difficult. Building new roads is also extremely expensive and unless the University could be
shown that the project was necessary and would better allow for access to campus in alignment
with the Campus Master Plan, funding would be difficult to acquire (Campus Master Plan 93).
Creating a bus-parking area in the triangle could potentially be too expensive of an undertaking;
Figure 8- Indiana Street Triangle proposals(Billy Tope- 2016). The shaded yellow area is bus parking while the green represents the area which could be planted in a mixture of native sunflowers and grasses.
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however, even if funding were secured, the permitting, design, and construction process would
likely take several years.
According to the University of Kansas’ agreement with the City of Lawrence, all
development projects that “substantially increase vehicle and pedestrian traffic…require traffic
impact analysis (Cooperation Agreement 6).” Following this study and other studies regarding
the feasibility of the project, all of which are administered by the University or its contractors,
sources of funding would have to be found either from a state or non-state source. Once
feasibility has been determined and funding secured, Design and Construction Management
(DCM) determines the process of design and construction (Project Management Manual 13).
Every step of this process takes time and the potential for roadblocks or even scrapping of the
entire project is enormous. So while a bus-parking area built into the triangle could potentially
increase visitation to Prairie Acre, such a project lies far in the future and poses significant
challenges. It is the recommendation of this report that investigations into the need for such a
project be further researched and suitable alternatives explored in the future.
CONCLUSION
The Future Site Design group believes our plan will rehabilitate a landscape that has
experienced long-term neglect and facilitate public interest by providing increased educational
value, aesthetic appeal, and accessibility to Prairie Acre. The group has generated ideas to
promote the education of native prairies by proposing the creation of a demonstration garden to
allow visitors to gain general knowledge of prairies in Kansas. The site design group believes
that an outdoor multipurpose area with seating will provide an excellent venue for visitors, KU
students, and school-aged students of all ages to be a part of the prairie landscape. The group has
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also proposed some aesthetically pleasing ideas to make prairie acre more enjoyable and
welcoming by proposing the southern triangle to be planted to native sunflowers and native
grasses. Finally, the Future Site Design group has also proposed to make the Prairie Acre more
accessible to visitors through the creation of handicap accessible sidewalks as well as a proposed
bus lane to allow for visiting schools to drop off students at Prairie Acre. These design ideas we
are proposing embodies the ‘cultural landscape’ that composes the identity of Prairie Acre and
will ensure the long-term health of the native landscape while establishing a sense of community.
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C517227.html>. Brandenburgh et al. “Methods and Procedures for Restoration and Preservation of Prairie Acre.”
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<http://www.barcoproducts.com/outdoor-furnishings/tables-and-seating/park-benches/>. "Picnic Tables - Park Benches - Trash Receptacles | Barco Products Commercial Outdoor Site
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“Project Management Manual.” University of Kansas Office of Design and Construction
Management. University of Kansas. April 2012. Web. 9 April 2016. Schramm, Peter. “Prairie Restoration: A Twenty-Five Year Perspective on Establishment and
Management.” Proceedings of the Twelfth North American Prairie Conference, 1990. Web. 9 April 2016.
Steinauer, Gerry et al. “A Guide to Prairie and Wetland Restoration in Eastern
Nebraska.” Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, 2003. Web. 3 May 2016. United States. National Park Service. "National Register of Historic Places Fundamentals: How
to List a Property in the National Register -- National Register of Historic Places Official Website--Part of the National Park Service." National Parks Service. U.S. Department of the Interior. Web. 07 Apr. 2016. <https://www.nps.gov/nr/national_register_fundamentals.htm>.
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Appendices Appendix A …...Tables and Figures Appendix B…… Key Terms and vocabulary
APPENDIX A: TABLES AND FIGURES Demonstration Garden Model
Source: Prairie Acre base CAD file, KU Design & Construction Management. CAD illustration modified by Billy Tope, EVRN 615 Capstone Future Design Group. This image represents a mock design model for the demonstration garden.
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Example bench cost estimates and dimensions Price Store Dimensions Benches
$94.99 Wayfair 30.5” H x 46.5” W x 20” D
$971 Barco Products
29.5” H x 24”W x 72” L
$540 Barco Products 31.25” H x 19.5” W x 72” L
$155.99 Wayfair 18” H x 55” W x 14.25”
Cost estimates for paving cowpath
Material Price Concrete $5.87/ft2 (4 inches thick)
Impervious $3-10 (varies dependent on type and square footage)
Gravel ¾” crushed stone- $26/ft3
1 ½”- $23/ft3 riprap- $25/ft3
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Campus Heritage Plan Map
Source: “Campus Heritage Plan.” University of Kansas Office of Design and Construction Management. University of Kansas. March 2008. Web. 9 April 2016. This map provides an overview of Prairie Acre in relation to the rest of campus.
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CAD drawing of Future Site Design Proposal
Source: Prairie Acre base CAD file, KU Design & Construction Management. CAD illustration modified by Billy Tope, EVRN 615 Capstone Future Design Group. This image summarizes the changes proposed by the Future Site Design group.
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APPENDIX B: KEY TERMS ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act): Signed into law on July 26, 1990, by President George H.W. Bush. The ADA is a comprehensive piece of civil rights legislation that prohibits discrimination and guarantees that people with disabilities have the same opportunities as everyone else to participate in the mainstream of American life -- to enjoy employment opportunities, to purchase goods and services, and to participate in State and local government programs and service. Cowpath: East-West pedestrian pathway with no finished/improved surface connecting sidewalks originating from the intersection of Sunnyside Ave & Louisiana Street with the Vehicle access driveway behind Watson Library and Twente Hall. Dry-stone wall: Low height masonry perimeter wall surrounding the existing Prairie Acre plot. It is considered ‘dry-stone’ due to not utilizing mortar in its construction. KU Native Medicinal Plant Garden: Research garden that consists of native plants in a complete demonstration garden. NRHP: National Register of Historic Places is an inventory of nationwide landmarks valued in terms of their age, integrity, and historical significance. Operated by the National Park Service which is under the Department of Interior.