NORMAL — A new 45-foot-long, curved sitting wall soon will grace the front of Normal Community High School, thanks to the work of Illinois State University students.
About 14 of ISU landscape professor David Kopsell’s Urban Landscape Management students got their hands dirty Friday for the project, which also includes 700-pound concrete benches for seating. The work, funded by $7,500 raised by the NCHS Alumni Association, is expected to continue today.
“The goal of this project is not only to provide NCHS students with an attractive and comfortable place to wait outside and possibly to meet for classes, but also to provide a great learning experience for ISU students as contributors to the quality of life in their college community,” said Mary Ryder, alumni board member and project coordinator.
When the alumni group wanted to do something to improve the area, they knew exactly who to contact. Kopsell and his students have been maintaining the landscaping there for years.
Earlier he had landscape design students come up with ideas for the project as part of their final exam, and the end result was an amalgamation of several student ideas.
“I love it. I’m an outdoorsy girl,” said student Sarah Kuppinger as she waited for the cue to start shoveling Friday. The Naperville senior said being part of the project will help her to learn things she can use in future work, at home and in landscaping competitions.
The wall’s yellow bricks and red accent details coincide with the color scheme of the existing building. The concave shape also compliments the curves of the existing structure, and the grade was carefully considered so water will flow slightly downhill and not pool on the surface, Kopsell said.
The wall has an added benefit of blocking litter that had blown from the parking lot into the landscaping.
Plants were chosen to withstand baking summers and icy winters and with a nod to NCHS’ orange-and-black school colors and mascot. Orange perennials were chosen along with an ironwood tree — a tribute to the Normal Ironmen that also is hardy and will be an appropriate size for the space, Kopsell said.
The plan includes paving blocks with an area that will remain covered with river rocks for now. Eventually the existing path of red bricks engraved with donor messages can be extended into the area.
Watching the joy on Kopsell’s face as he helped direct students, Kuppinger remarked, “He’s so passionate about this.”
The ISU group also worked with Brandt Bollmann, a professional landscaper whose father, Dave Bollmann, is NCHS’ principal. With a smile, he kindly showed one student when she was using a piece of equipment backward.
The materials cost about $5,000, and about $2,000 was set aside for ISU student labor. Materials were provided by Darnall Concrete of Normal.
The labor donation will help cover the students’ cost for participating in the Professional Landcare Network’s PLANET career days and national landscape competition, Kopsell said.
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