The park, located on the southern edge of campus, has been designed to provide residents, students, and visitors a multi-purpose area to enjoy recreational and learning opportunities. Features such as a walking path, fitness stations, outdoor classroom, playground equipment, picnic
tables, grills, benches, and bike racks provide users with a wide variety of options for recreational and health and wellness activities.
Utilizing sustainable and green building practices were integral to the park’s construction. The project site is adjacent to a portion of natural woodland and wetland complex that runs along the floodplain of an unnamed tributary to Clearfield Creek. Over the years, the land had
been used to hold rock and soil construction wastes. During construction, these previously disturbed wetland areas were restored by removing the earth and rock fill and great care was taken to avoid additional impacts.
The vision for the park was to present a natural, sustainable, and inviting outdoor space as opposed to a well-manicured, programmed area with a sterile feel. Bioretention/rain garden areas have been constructed along the sides of the park to absorb drainage and runoff.
Plantings include PA native species (including Red Maples, Tulip Trees, and Eastern Hemlocks) as well as vegetated swales and “no mow” meadow grasses around the park’s boundaries. The outdoor classroom, fitness stations, benches, picnic tables, and trash/recycling receptacles are
mounted on permeable bases to assist with runoff. The playground equipment, picnic tables, and benches are made from recycled plastic materials and the restrooms are an environmentally-friendly waterless system.
Learn more about McGuire Park