Repository: UIHistories Project: Book - 30 Year Master Plan (Tilton & O'Donnell) [PAGE 240]

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Appendix B

If the planting plan of the South campus is to be carried out, it may be necessary to make some readjustments in the alignment of the Memorial Elms on Gregory Drive, Sixth Street, and South Drive. Our knowledge of their exact location is not sufficient to determine this. But, if a readjustment is necessary, we recommend that it be done at an early date when the trees are still young, and, therefore, the cost of moving them and the danger of losses are small. The new buildings are'.now being rapidly covered by clinging vines. These vines should, in our opinion, be removed at an early date, and others such as Actinidia, Celastrus, etc. planted, with a view of framing the doorways. Likewise the shrubbery and herbaceous materials placed at the entrances and at the corners should be taken out, as they are incongruous and out of scale. The Flower Garden The adopted University plan contemplates the ultimate removal of the existing flower gardens. These gardens have had in the past an educational value not only for the students but also for a very large number of visitors from all parts of the State. Such an important educational element should, therefore, be provided for in the new plan. We have indicated an area to be set aside for this purpose at the easterly end of the cross axis through the women's athletic field. If a water basin were designed and constructed at this point for the purpose of ending appropriately that important axis, a garden of charm and interest could be located around it. This is a subject which requires separate study. The point to be made now in this connection is that, if this garden is to have a beneficial educational value for the people of the State of Illinois, the design must be obtained by the best talent available, and its execution and maintenance must be entrusted to men of a high degree of skill. Plan Revisions In accordance with instructions and suggestions received from your Supervising Architect and in collaboration with Mr, Piatt, several revisions of the plan in matters of detailed alignment of streets and walks have been made, and a new plan for the Women's dormitory and athletic field area is submitted. In the future, undoubtedly, further revisions will be necessary. May we suggest that at the present time a comprehensive, accurate topographic survey be made of existing conditions, and that upon this survey be recorded, from time to time, the changes brought about by the execution of the plan, so that, in the future, studies can be made without the loss of time entailed by the piecing together of fragmentary data. Such a record survey will be useful also, in conjunction with the plans herewith-