Geography student maps campus trees, benches, art, and more
Pam Monn, assistant director, buildings and grounds, periodically fields questions like these. Until recently, if the answers weren’t in an out-of-date physical plant binder, she couldn’t help. Now, alumni and others looking for campus trees, benches, art, and more can easily locate them on two new websites. Students and visitors curious about a tree or plaque have checked out the sites as well.
Geography major Mike Sacchetti ’10, of Pittsfield, Massachusetts has been working solo on the mapping project for more than a year. He’s covered nearly every inch of campus on his red Giant bike, camera and pad in his backpack. “He’s been amazing,” says Monn. “Mike hasn’t balked at finding anything and he’s built a spectacular resource.”
Sacchetti began his work-study project hunting down commemorative, historic, rare, and large trees. As an arboretum with agricultural roots, the UMass Amherst campus has an impressive number of specimens that help form the character of the campus. The mighty pin oak near Munson Hall, for example, has seen countless students come and go since it was planted by the class of 1908.
After trees, Sacchetti moved on to named benches, buildings, gardens, outdoor art, plaques, and miscellany, such as the Walter J. Deits Memorial Rugby Pitch. The campus spot he most enjoyed exploring is the almost-secret garden at the bottom of the steep rhododendron slope in front of the chancellor’s residence. Entering this circle of lawn punctuated by two soaring umbrella pines planted in 1877 feels like stepping back in time.
“I’m tickled pink about this project,” says Monn. “There is so much beauty and history here on campus, and this makes it accessible to all.”