OSP Ongoing Strategies: Protecting the Open Space Investment

Protecting the Open Space Investment

A significant investment in open space improvement brings with it the requirement to undertake a three-part management process: short term maintenance, medium term adjustments/repair and long term replacement. Each aspect of this three-part process should be considered in both the design process and within the annual maintenance programs established for the campus. Annual maintenance budgets should be adjusted to support any new open space installations and include annual programs to augment plantings.

Landscape improvements require time to reach their full potential and success will be measured by the level of upkeep of the spaces. The University will require additional procedures and expertise beyond that which currently exists to successfully undertake this program.

Recommendations

72. The majority of the capital for the open space revitalization projects will come from fundraising, partnerships and donors; therefore the University should consider designing donation programs for both capital works and annual maintenance programs. A portion of all funds, with the approval of the donor, should be contributed to an endowment fund for the long term needs of the open space revitalization program.

73. All new open space design projects should include specifications for ongoing site maintenance, including a defined short term maintenance program with annual costs, an outline of medium term adjustments required to optimize the design, and a recommendation on life-cycle issues and costs of long term replacement. This information should form the basis of an annual maintenance program created by the University.

74. The OSRO should, in cooperation with the existing grounds and maintenance personnel, review the requirements of an advanced program of horticultural and arboricultural practices and maintenance procedures to support the program of open space improvements. This review should result in a request for annual resources to undertake the program.

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