Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google

Paths to Campus Enrichment

  • By Kyle Asire
  • 03/01/17

Offering pathways designed for pedestrians and bikes, greenways are increasingly becoming popular additions in cities across the nation. With colleges and universities competing to recruit students, a campus with a greenway enhances curb appeal and becomes increasingly attractive to potential applicants.

While a traditional greenway in a city connects different neighborhoods and communities, a greenway on campus connects campus buildings and facilities while providing a scenic and relaxing atmosphere.

Prime locations for jogging and walking, the paths can be an extension of a campus’ wellness facilities as an additional avenue for increasing student health. Simple exercise stations, such as pull-up bars and monkey bars, can also be placed along the trail to provide further workout selections, or recreation areas, like volleyball and basketball courts, can add additional options for group sport activities and exercise.

A greenway by itself will enhance campus life, but additional expansions on the different paths offer opportunities to further improve the student experience. For example, a garden placed along the path offer opportunities for both quiet meditation and study. On the other end of the spectrum, social spaces scattered throughout the greenway create additional collaboration and meeting areas for students.

Take a conveniently placed BBQ terrace. This simple addition gives students a place to cook and dine, a space to meet with friends and make new ones. Opportunities for bolder expansions are also present. An outdoor amphitheater can provide additional event space for live music, theatrical productions or large campus organization meetings.

Perhaps what is most enticing about a greenway is the versatility. The pathways can be simple or complex. Either way, students and faculty alike will find their lives enriched.

This article originally appeared in the issue of .

About the Author

Kyle Asire is territory manager, California, for Gordian (www.Gordian.com). Contact Kyle at [email protected] or 415/308-2050.

Featured

  • Academy of Classical Education Breaks Ground in Louisiana

    Charter Schools USA (CSUSA) recently announced the groundbreaking of a new public charter school in Covington, La., according to a news release. The Academy of Classical Education at Covington will enroll students in grades K–8 and is scheduled for completion in August 2026, just in time for the new school year.

  • Texas Recruitment

    Texas Recruitment

    Established in 1999, the Education Design Showcase is a vehicle for showing off innovative — yet practical — solutions in planning, design, architecture, and construction. The University of Texas at Austin's Texas Recruitment has been recognized with an EDS 2026 Grand Prize award in the category of Renovation.

  • Minnesota District Starts Construction on Early Childhood Learning Center

    Sauk Rapids-Rice Public Schools in Sauk Rapids, Minn., recently announced that construction has begun on a new early childhood learning center and a new outdoor activities complex, according to a news release.

  • abstract illustration of school gym

    How the Gymnasium Can Serve as a Model for Learning Space Design

    Multipurpose gyms work because flexibility was built into the brief from the start, not retrofitted later. The same logic applies to academic spaces.