LANDSCAPING and GROUNDS
Best Practice
This practice will standardize the appearance, function, and maintenance of University grounds, landscaping and lawn care. As lawns and landscaping serve as a focal point for any Davenport University campus, this practice will ensure campus grounds create a favorable first impression which will aid in student enrollment and retention.
Program Scope
This program applies to all campus grounds and landscaped areas. The program mandates a yearly contracted grounds maintenance contract and applies consistent standards to individual aspects of University grounds
Responsibilities
FACILITIES DEPARTMENT
-- Develop, issue, review and award the annual RFP for “Landscaping/Grounds Maintenance”.
-- Monitor contractor adherence to the provisions of the RFP
-- Implement and enforce the standards as listed.
Process
Lawn Care:
-- Landscaping care as detailed in the “Landscaping/Grounds Maintenance” RFP will include the following services: Spring and Fall cleanup, weekly lawn mowing, seasonal fertilizer and weed control applications, sidewalk and drive edging, planting bed care and weeding, tree trimming, and shrub pruning.
-- By mid-February of each year, Facilities will issue bids for landscaping/mowing contracts for the coming growing season
(April 1 to November 15).
Irrigation:
· All landscaping closely associated with a campus building shall be provided with automatic irrigation. Time-clock controls shall be included in the installation. The irrigation system should serve those lawn and planting areas adjacent to campus buildings. Lawn areas a distance from a campus building do not require irrigation unless the unwatered area detracts from the overall appearance of the campus.
· All irrigation systems must adhere to the following yearly operating schedule:
o Energize by the end of the first full week in May,
Entire system must be pressurized and then a complete head to head check of the system is to take place; heads are to be adjusted for proper coverage.
o Winterize by the end of the last full week in October,
Process must include blowing out the irrigation lines and shutdown of the entire system and all components.
· As existing campus irrigation clock systems are replaced, an irrigation watering system that controls water usage through specific precipitation rates and precise watering times will be implemented.
Signage:
· All University-branding monument signs, electronic message signs, and related signage must meet Davenport University standards for design, size, colors, and lettering. Signage will be re-lamped mid-July of each year.
Sidewalks:
Over time sidewalks are damaged from weathering, snow, tree roots and regular use. Davenport University will repair trip hazards in a timely manner to ensure pedestrian safety on all sidewalks.
· Every April, Facilities will conduct visual inspections of all sidewalks (DU owned and outside agency owned) to identify sidewalk trip hazards and deteriorating sidewalk slabs.
· University sidewalks meeting the following trip hazard criteria will be repaired or replaced:
o Vertical separation greater than 3/4”
o Horizontal separation greater than 3/4“
o Vegetative overgrowth encroaching onto the concrete sidewalk area
o Obstructions located within the sidewalk area
o Other defects deemed necessary for repair
· For sidewalks administered by other agencies (city, township, etc), the Facility Director will contact the appropriate agency and request repair or replacement. A log recording the communication and contact will be maintained.
Retaining Walls:
· All retaining walls or garden walls on University campuses must be in a condition that positively reflects on the branding and image of Davenport University.
· The material of which the retaining wall is constructed (wood, concrete, garden-type block, etc) must not be decayed, crushed, broken, vandalized or in any manner detract from the exterior image of the campus. Retaining walls exhibiting these conditions or that have shifted and pose a safety hazard must be repaired. In some severe cases, the wall must be replaced.
Dumpsters and Enclosures
· Dumpster locations on University campuses must be kept clean and neat in appearance. Dumpster enclosures (fencing, brick walls) and gates must be kept neat, well maintained, and unobtrusive to the eye. Trash and recycling containers, although property of the trash and recycling contractor(s), can also provide a positive or negative image of the University. The containers must be well maintained, possess appropriate lids or covers, and cannot be dented or deformed or show signs of rust and chipped paint. The campus Facilities Director will work with the trash/recycle contractor(s) to replace any dumpster that does not meet these requirements.
Exterior Furnishings:
· Davenport University campus exterior furnishings currently vary in age, condition, style and material. Existing furnishings that are outdated, vandalized or deteriorated shall be replaced as needed with a new style until all site furnishings conform with any adopted University standard(s). Given that standards for exterior site furnishings and their locations currently do not exist, coordinate purchase and placement with the Facilities Division.
· Campus standard site furnishings shall be employed to ensure that all items are of the same family with regard to style, color, and material, and to create a uniformity of branding and image for exterior areas of any campus. All items placed on the grounds of any campus must have a purpose for their placement, and the placement shall serve in a convenient but unobtrusive manner.
· Consideration for exterior furnishings shall be given for deviations from any adopted standard that are dedicated as memorials or given as gifts to the University.
Benches/Tables:
· Benches and tables specified for new or replacement installations shall be of a type adopted as a Davenport University standard. The bench shall be durable and easily maintained and permanently anchored to a concrete base.
o Davenport University bench standard:
(to be determined)
o Davenport University table standard:
(to be determined)
Bicycle Racks:
· Bicycle parking racks added to existing parking lots shall be the ribbon rack style and placed on a non-permeable surface, located in sufficiently illuminated areas. Bike racks shall not interfere with vehicle traffic nor impede pedestrian traffic into and from major building entrances. Bike racks must be separated from motor vehicle traffic and parking lots by either a minimum of 10 foot separation distance or a curb or other physical barrier.
· Bicycle parking facilities should be made out of a durable and strong material, be permanently
anchored to the ground and be designed so as to allow bikes to be locked to it.
o Davenport University bike rack standard:
(to be determined)
Trash containers and ash urns:
· Smoking is not permitted within University buildings and within 25 feet of all building entrances. Standard University ash/trash urns shall be located no closer than 25 feet from primary pedestrian entrances. Each ash/trash receptacle will display University standard signage (supplied by the Facilities Division) indicating no smoking permitted within 25 feet of the building.
· Aesthetic and functional considerations shall be addressed when locating new trash containers/ash urns by placing them in an unobtrusive, non-prominent position.
o Davenport University trash containers/ash urn standard:
Webcoat, TR32 PERF; 32 gallon receptacle with attaching ash urn.
Planters:
· Planters used for container plants shall be limited to select locations on any campus and limited to one style.
· The location of container planters shall be coordinated with the Facilities Division.
o Davenport University planter standard:
(to be determined)
Flagpoles:
· Flagpoles specified for new or replacement installations shall be of a height and type adopted as a Davenport University standard. The flagpole shall be permanently anchored to a concrete base, and shall be lit for 24 hour flag display.
o Davenport University flagpole standard:
35’ tall,
cone tapered spun aluminum, clear anodized finish with gold ball top
internal stainless steel cable and winch system