Landscape Master Plan

Highland Baptist Church Landscape Master Plan

Through 2007, Highland Baptist Church has been working on a Landscape Master Plan. The planning effort arose out of a need to look at the larger picture of the whole grounds, a desire to deepen our care of the exterior of our facility, to create a greater focus on our work days, and to develop a lasting vision for outdoor sacred space. The plan also is intended to be implemented in small manageable portions. That said, the effort is to remain active and moldable as the plan comes alive.

The planning began by looking at other sacred buildings as our own: English Gothic churches. Through that research, it became apparent that landscaping around the older portions of our structure did not live up to the pastoral character that brings out its historical qualities. We also toured other sacred spaces in our community by visiting Christ Church Cathedral. We learned about their changes and how the grounds have been maintained.  From there we took an inventory and analysis of the property looking at lighting, parking, tree conditions, and current maintenance among other things. This led us to create landscape zones consolidating areas of similar character.

The master plan's leading principles are listed below. The plan's steps, drawings, master plan, and enlargements follow.

Restoring Landscapes

• Historical
• Ecological
• Meaningful

Creating Sacred Spaces

• Prayer Garden
• Courtyard
• Labyrinth

Installing New Plantings

• Tree plantings
• Lawn alternatives
• Sign/street landscaping

Existing Conditions: Tree Condition and Parking Count

One of the major steps in reviewing the Highland Baptist Church grounds was evaluating the extisting conditions. One of the first things studied was the species types and health of the trees on the property. The tree condition was measured by its percent of leaf canopy noted at the end of June. The other critical matter with an urban church is the amount of parking. There are currently 87 parking spaces with a need to look at aesthetic and accessibility concerns.

Existing Conditions: Landscape Zones

As the landscape was reviewed, it became apparent that not all portions of the property had the same character. It seemed that the landscape could be broken into zones that responded to the streets or sides of the structure. Those zones were given names based on those associatons. They were later used to consider what landscape improvements were appropriate and consistent in that zone.

Existing Conditions: Site Notes

The final existing conditions drawing show the notes that depict critical areas to evaluate as well as possible opportunities for what the future condition could be.

Future Condition: Overall Improvements

The overall improvements here show a landscape that creates various sacred spaces that respond to the zone and the opportunities.

Some of these spaces include creating a courtyard between the Sanctuary and the Educational Building. A new brick surface would create a new walkway on axis with the bell tower, bringing it to prominence. The space is meant as a reflective courtyard with seating grouped around a tree as a focal point that is fenced from the rest of the front yard. The area highlighted in light purple could be used as a columbarium (a place for interning ashes), but permission with the city is needed. Note the changes in the window well already is adding extra light into Fellowship Hall.

The area in front of the Educational Building would demonstrate lawn alternatives. Potentially, this could be in a form of a parterre or a knot garden with shapes reminiscent of the arcs of the Sanctuary's stained glass windows. The facade would also be improved through enhanced plantings near the foundation. The elevated ground next to the Educatonal Building could be a spriritual labyrinth with a shrub border.

Inside the fenced area would be a garden area potentially with backless seating so that one could face the plantings or the playground. A large amount of the area would be left open as a children's play area with plantings located along the fence on the alley side. The sidewalks through this area should create better landings and connect to the play area for accessibility. The gate hinge should be lowered and coordinated with the landing. The play area has received attention in the last few years, but the area should be monitored so the mulch is at it's full depth.
Due to the strength of the structure, the Educational Building could be considered for a green roof. This effort should be coordinated when the current roof is up for replacement so the entire roof assembly can be built to withstand some water retention and sustaining plants.

The lower lot parking area would recieve trees in each of the corners. There is potential for solving the drainage issue where the two alleys meet by creating a rain garden in conjunction with the tree planting. All of the bollards/gates at the entries should be eliminated. The deteriorating wheel stops in the parking areas should be replaced, potentially with recycled material. The handicap parking near the rear doorway would be made more accessible.

The Foree House, which has recieved many landscape upgrades in 2007, should have perennials added for color around the front and side. The areas in the rear and side yard would be planted with groundcover to lower maintenance. Plantings along Grinstead near the alley and Fireside door should recieve additional groundcover with perennials for color. Screening and sound abatement for the air handling units should be considered as a future improvement.

The yews around the Sanctuary have become vastly over grown and are not indicative of the Sanctuary's English Gothic style. They are recommended to be removed in favor of a more pastoral aesthetic. The lighting fixtures on either side of the Sanctuary steps should be reconsidered in a style and nature that is more indicative of the building style and the light posts. Additional landscaping around the 2007 monument sign should be low and add four seasons of color. The sidewalk at the intersection and at various points should be further evaluated and considered for replacement as needed.

Landscape Master Plan Video

The video below shows the improvements in a three dimensional manner. It travels around the site showing how the improvements match the zone and potential opportunities. To run the video, double-click on the image. Patience is needed to allow it time to download and run.