
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, June 19, 1994                   TAG: 9407070056
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-3   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: By JOANNE ANDERSON STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG                                LENGTH: Medium

FACELIFT FOR A CAMPUS LANDMARK

It's hard to tell if the ducks and geese appreciate the beautification project in their neighborhood, but it's a pretty safe bet that students at Virginia Tech and local residents are enjoying it immensely this summer.

Tech's Class of 1943, in commemoration of its 50th anniversary reunion, underwrote the renovation of the Duck Pond as its gift to the university.

Classes traditionally make a contribution to Virginia Tech at their 50th anniversaries, often in the form of scholarships, according to Thomas "T.O." Williams, assistant director of the alumni association. But the gift committee and class gift co-chairmen John C. Lester Jr., Edwin T. Robertson and Joseph C. Thomas wanted to do something tangible.

"The Class of 1943 Duck Pond area will provide a place of enjoyment of nature in the heart of the campus. We can return to this area to reflect upon our memories, while today's generation of students enjoy the Duck Pond for the first time," the co-chairmen wrote in a letter to classmates.

Headed by university architect Peter Karp and landscape architect Matt Gart, the beautification project focused on creating a more park-like setting on the south side of the pond. Removing the parking area at the entrance, reinforcing the worn-out shoreline, restoring a more natural environment and rerouting a bicycle path straight across Duck Pond Road were top priorities.

The entrance now is embellished with a wall made of the distinctive gray limestone known as "Hokie stone." It will have a plaque with names of Class of '43 members who donated $1,000. New landscaping includes blue holly, hybrid dogwood, rhododendron, bayberry, azalea and service berry plantings. "All are native to our area," Gart said.

A drive-around area has been designed for dropping off and picking up people, picnic baskets, strollers and school children, but all parking has been relegated to the lots across Duck Pond Road.

A viewing deck, built out of treated pine, should keep people from standing at the shore. Hokie stones, prominent in the campus architecture, have been embedded at water's edge for erosion control and appearance.

Ivy has been planted on the banks, and lights have been installed. Additional water spouts were put in for irrigation purposes. New ash and zelkova trees near the amphitheater eventually will form a canopy over the large-scale gazebo structure.

Teak benches with name plaques will be placed in the area. Contributors of $5,000 may put their names on bench plaques or dedicate benches to someone they wish to honor.

The bicycle intersection has been rerouted so riders going to and from Hethwood can pedal straight across Duck Pond Road instead of having to jog along and across the street to connect with the bikeway on the other side.

The beautification plan was designed "so we can add incrementally to it," Karp said. For example, a future addition will add floodlights to highlight the trees at night.

The Class of '43 gift to its alma mater will stand as a testament to members' devotion to Virginia Tech and their thoughtfulness and generosity to an entire community.

by CNB