Sustainable Living & Learning Community Accessibility Project: Phase 1

The SLLC’s Accessibility Project: Phase I will establish accessible and inviting pedestrian entryways and gathering spaces for the Sustainable Living/Learning Community – one at our East entry along Orchard Park Drive, and another at our new North entry at Blue Ridge Road (a major bicycle and pedestrian thoroughfare for campus).

Introduction:

Since 2019, students and staff working in the programs of the SLLC have worked with student designers in the project-based Landscape Architecture 141 course to create an integrated, accessible pathway network for the North half of the SLLC’s approximately 40 acres. In close collaboration with UCD Grounds and Campus Planning, the project will connect existing sidewalks in West Campus with vital open space resources and core academic programs of the SLLC. As West Campus continues to develop and to densify, the need for equitable access to gardens and open space will only increase. In partnership with Healthy UC Davis and campus planners, we are excited to meet this challenge and to support the health and wellbeing of our campus community!

Outcomes: 

Our project will establish two accessible entryways with attached community gathering spaces in the Orchard Park neighborhood, and the two main entries of what will become an integrated pathway network for SLLC spaces and programs. Students are excited to use these spaces for outdoor classes and club meetings, as well as community gatherings and events. In addition, we look forward to working with Healthy UC Davis to add newly-accessible SLLC spaces to existing campus maps supporting healthy outdoor activities (i.e. walking loops and drinking water), and to advertise community events and opportunities in the Orchard Park neighborhood.

Opportunities for Involvement: 

Please keep an eye out for information for our upcoming Winter Quarter community work day in our new Accessibility Hub ~ RSVP and dates to come soon.

Recent Milestones:

Hired a new Landscape Coordinator, who is working directly with the College Corps Fellows on Accessibility in the SLLC. Oriented a new team of UC Davis College Corps Fellows in collaboration with the Solar Community Housing Association (SCHA).

Project Lead(s):

Jaylee Tuil
Research and Academic Engagement Coordinator
Sustainable Living/Learning Community (SLLC)
jltuil@ucdavis.edu

Ben Pearl
SLLC Projects & Programs Coordinator
Sustainable Living/Learning Community (SLLC)
bpearl@ucdavis.edu