FOUNDER’S WALK MERGES BIKES AND PEDESTRIANS ON COLORFUL PAVERS
At East Carolina University in Greenville, NC, the modern-day slogan is Tomorrow Starts Here.
Looking toward the future is nothing new in this place, which began as a teacher’s college in 1907 and which since then has grown into the third largest university in North Carolina, with renowned programs in the arts, sciences, business and medicine.
Accordingly, an investment in tomorrow in the form of clay paver walkways and bicycle paths – Founder’s Walk – has brought a unifying design element to the historic campus mall, to what was once a disjointed collection of vehicle alleyways and parking lots.
Raleigh, NC-based landscape architecture firm ColeJenest & Stone said that the challenge was to provide a pedestrian – and bicycle-friendly – environment to the main part of campus. The goal was to convert the aging asphalt surface parking into a multi-use path.
The pattern creates pedestrian and bicycle zones in the 18-foot-wide path. Pine Hall Brick Company pavers in a basketweave pattern were used to define the 10-foot pedestrian zone, with a herringbone pattern for the bicycle lanes. Dark accent chevrons that point the way to the correct direction of travel were used in the bicycle lanes.
Color really makes his project work! Pine Hall Brick colors used in the project, include:
Edges are English Edge Dark Accent.
Walkway is English Edge Full Range and Pathway Full Range.
Chevrons in bicycle path are English Edge Autumn.
Bike path itself is English Edge Georgian Buff.
The rich tones of the clay pavers complement the historic architecture surrounding the mall and contributes to the collegiate atmosphere as it weaves past old-growth trees. The craftsmanship expressed in the project has led to a campus icon that reinforces the school’s brand.
The usefulness of the pavers extended well beyond aesthetics. The pavers proved themselves durable enough to withstand both 80,000 pound emergency vehicles and event traffic. And the system is at once both authentic and green in the following ways:
· It’s a locally sourced material, which reduces fuel consumption for product delivery.
· It encourages pedestrian and bicycle transportation, which reduces dependence on automobiles on campus.
· It supports a sustainable stormwater management system that directs runoff to landscape areas planted with native and adapted species.
And tomorrow? More is on the way, as the Founders Walk project is the first step in a planned network that will link all campus neighborhoods.