Over the summer, the Division of Campus Planning, Infrastructure, and Facilities’ grounds team carried out widespread landscaping improvement and beautification projects on Virginia Tech’s Blacksburg campus.

From repairs to green space and plant improvements, these features will help foster a greater sense of community and campus identity. They will even assist in the longevity and health of the surrounding environment. 

Some highlighted projects include:

Planting improvements

April 16 Memorial

Flowers, shrubbery, and mulch were refreshed at the April 16 Memorial in front of Burruss Hall to help provide visitors with a peaceful space to reflect and an enhanced sense of community and solidarity.

Refreshed flowers, shrubbery, and mulch at the April 16 Memorial. Photo by Sarah Myers for Virginia Tech.
Newly planted shrubbery at the April 16 Memorial. Photo by Sarah Myers for Virginia Tech.

Dietrick Plaza planters

Extra plant growth was removed from the planters in Dietrick Plaza and replaced with fresh, dark mulch.

Refreshed planters at Dietrick Plaza. Photo by Sarah Myers for Virginia Tech.

O’Shaughnessy Hall accessible pathway landscaping

Plants were added along the O’Shaughnessy Hall accessible pathway to help mitigate soil erosion and beautify the space. 

NOW: Plants along the O'Shaughnessy Hall accessible pathway to help mitigate soil erosion. Photo by Sarah Myers for Virginia Tech.
BEFORE: Soil erosion along the O'Shaughnessy Hall accessible pathway before plants were added. Photo provided by the Virginia Tech grounds team.

Pritchard Hall plant beds

New, dark mulch was added to plant beds near Pritchard Hall to replace previously eroded mulch.

Beautified plant beds near Pritchard Hall. Photo by Sarah Myers for Virginia Tech.

Green space improvements

Squires lawn renovation

The previously eroding turf on Squires lawn was reseeded to help reverse damage. Wood chips were deployed around tree root zones to improve tree health and appearance. Additional plants were refreshed and the surrounding fence was refinished. 

NOW: Squires lawn after reseeding. Photo by Sarah Myers for Virginia Tech.
BEFORE: Eroded Squires lawn prior to reseeding and other grounds improvements. Photo provided by the Virginia Tech grounds team.

Health improvements to Drillfield trees

To improve tree health and appearance, weeds were removed and wood chips were deployed around tree root zones.

NOW: Drillfield trees after wood chips were deployed around them. Photo by Sarah Myers for Virginia Tech.
BEFORE: Drillfield trees prior to wood chip treatment. Photo provided by the Virginia Tech grounds team.

Payne Hall lawn reseeding

To prepare for a future reforest site near Payne Hall, brush was removed and wood chips were deployed.

View atop a future reforest site near Payne Hall. Photo by Sarah Myers for Virginia Tech.
Wood chips will help prepare for reforestation near Payne Hall. Photo by Sarah Myers for Virginia Tech.

Repairs

Hokie Stone wall

A new Hokie Stone wall was installed near a vault and Fire Department Connection (FDC) at Payne Hall to improve appearance.

NOW: Newly installed Hokie Stone wall near the Fire Department Connection Pipe and vault. Photo by Sarah Myers for Virginia Tech.
BEFORE: Previous appearance of the Fire Department Connection pipe and vault near Payne Hall. Photo provided by the Virginia Tech grounds team.

Paved walkways

Newly paved walkways were installed along eroded pathways from foot traffic near Williams Hall. 

NOW: Cement paved walkways replace eroded foot traffic pathways in grass. Photo by Meghan Marsh for Virginia Tech.
BEFORE: Erosion from foot traffic near Williams Hall prior to paving over with cement. Photo provided by the Virginia Tech grounds team.

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