The Amelioration of School Grounds

It would seem as though the grounds about a school building stood in special need of such means of refinement as trees and shrubs. But we know how often, especially in the cities, they have not the room even for green grass.

But supposing we have one of those fortunate suburban or rural schools, whose founders have had the foresight and the benevolence to reserve for it some more adequate grounds, what can we do in the way of ornamentation? Obviously, fancy gardening with expensive plants is out of the question. Something simple must be undertaken, and usually something inexpensive. If the circumstances of soil and climate and the attendance of the school will permit its maintenance, a good turf is most to be desired. But in many places this will be tramped to pieces; and then some sort of paving ought to be provided,—gravel, or sand or stone.

If a school yard can have a few large trees they will always be greatly prized by everyone. Their value is so great that, in places having the room, very considerable pains should be taken to supply them. Usually it is best to plant the largest trees possible. Thousands of our American schools celebrate an Arbor day. Usually the trees planted on such occasions are considerable in number, but inconsiderable in size. Most of them succumb to various casualties before the end of term time, and the remainder die of neglect during vacation. If the same work were applied to the planting of one, or two large trees,—twelve, fifteen or twenty feet high, with sufficiently good roots,—the chances of success, under the circumstances, would be greater.

Shrubs can be used to advantage on school grounds along back boundaries, especially against fences. Good, thrifty native species, like dogwood, hawthorn, and even the wild bramble, will add greatly to the looks of the premises by relieving them of that cheerless, depressing barrenness which too commonly characterizes the schoolhouse lot. Attention will need be given that such shrubbery borders do not become unsightly by the accumulation of litter, but no other special care or cultivation will be required.

One often hears it argued, how nice and proper it would be to grow flowering plants and plants of economic interest on the school grounds. There is a very sufficient multitude of reasons why this is seldom possible, but the idea is admirable and one to be encouraged. If such good things seem to be within reach, the garden beds will best be put along the back and side borders. It is possible in such situations, and under favorable conditions, to cultivate narrow beds, laid out in a manner to be out of the way of most of the romping play which occupies the main grounds. But for all such plantings the hardy perennials are to be recommended above the annuals, other things being equal.

The great difficulties in the way ought not to deter school boards, teachers and patrons from using their best efforts to ameliorate, as much as possible, the uninviting blankness of the ordinary school grounds, especially in view of the very manifest desirability of such improvement.

Contents

• Entrances Drives And Walks - When a landscape gardener plans a considerable picture he tries to arrange it so that the approaching visitor shall get not only a prejudice in its favor, but also a fair suggestion of its character.
• The Planting of Streets and Avenues - Streets and avenues demand a formal treatment. And this formality ought to go further than the mere alignment of the trees. It is still more important that the various trees should be of the same species and of the same age and uniformly developed. Not enough pains is commonly taken to secure these desiderata.
• Water, and Its Treatment - A painted landscape is hardly complete without a touch of water somewhere. And a public park would probably be considered seriously deficient without some kind of a lake. The restful and quieting influences of rural scenery are peculiarly enhanced by stretches of still water.
• The City or Suburban Lot - Those people who own their grounds in the towns and suburban districts are the truest home lovers in the nation; and as a class they have the means, the desire and the taste,—often uneducated in this particular line,—for home improvement.
• The Ornamentation of Farm Yards - This naturalistic treatment, on account of the considerations already hinted at, ought to be on a comparatively large scale. This is usually possible, for the farm can commonly spare whatever room is required for the homestead and its immediate dependencies.
• The Amelioration of School Grounds - Supposing we have one of those fortunate suburban or rural schools, whose founders have had the foresight and the benevolence to reserve for it some more adequate grounds, what can we do in the way of ornamentation?
• Something About Public Parks - Parks and public gardens are generally felt to be a luxury, and suitable for the edification chiefly of people of leisure. On second thought, however, anyone must see the mistakenness of such views, though it is still very difficult to demonstrate the practical utility of public parks to the skeptic.
• General Problems - There are several general problems which present themselves. How should approaches be designed? What treatment is effective for street and avenue planting? What may be done with ponds, lakes, and streams entering the composition?

See Also

• Next Page: Something About Public Parks
• Return from The Amelioration of School Grounds to: Landscape-Guide Home

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