23
May/June 2021
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THE DAVEY BULLETIN
LEADERSHIP
USE AND DEVELOPMENT OF DAVEY EAST CAMPUS PROGRESSES
Tree research will be moving full steam ahead this summer
at the Davey East Campus, as work to implement use and
development of the 174-acre property across from the
corporate office in Kent continues.
Research and development plots have been mapped out
on the property – the future home of Davey's research,
training and education facilities – and fenced in to secure
the plots against wildlife. This spring, the Davey Nursery
is scheduled to plant 162 trees to serve as the foundation
for the research plots.
"Irrigation systems for the research plots will be installed
and completed this spring as well," said Dan Joy, executive
vice president. "We will have ongoing research taking place
on the East Campus starting this year."
Davey announced plans in 2019 to develop the former
golf course into a premier research, training and education
center, with construction to take place over the course of
several years. Some of the planned facilities include: a
training center with associated offices totaling more than
25,000 square feet; an indoor climbing center of 10,700
square feet; 18 spans of non-energized right-of-way; and
research facilities totaling more than 7,000 square feet of
laboratories and greenhouses.
Work also is anticipated to start this year on construction
of the numerous driveways that will provide access to the
property and connect facilities within the East Campus.
That construction may continue through the winter and
in to 2022.
Coinciding with driveway construction, a series of ponds
will be created to serve as sophisticated storm water
retention facilities. Those ponds will serve as irrigation
sources for the property and will be developed with input
from Davey Resource Group's Ecological Consulting division.
In 2022, work is anticipated to start on the East Campus
Arboretum. That work would include installation of tree and
plant materials, landscaping features, and construction of
walking paths.
"We are continuing our relationship with the SmithGroup,
the integrated design firm that worked with us to develop the
master plan for the East Campus," Joy said. "We are engaged
with SmithGroup to do a deeper dive into the real planning
on the property that will take us to the point of submitting
permits for infrastructure and building construction."
Above: Deer fencing has been erected to protect new research
plots being installed at the Davey East Campus. The East Campus
is already being used informally for a variety of training initiatives.
In Fall 2020, the corporate safety team held a trees-on-lines training
for Utility services crews to learn about power lines under tension
from fallen trees and limbs. And DRG drone pilots use the property
to hone their skills, among other training events held at the property.
