Nestled in the heart of Raleigh, NC State University is a vibrant hub of academic energy as our students and employees alike learn, teach, work, play and, of course, Think and Do. With over 2,100 acres of commercial, forested, gardened and farmed spaces, the university boasts an abundance of outdoor locations perfect for holding a meeting, studying or working on a project. There are also countless nooks and crannies off the beaten (brick) path for those seeking a moment of calm from the hustle and bustle of their daily routines.

To find out about some of these lesser known areas, we asked five members of the Landscape Maintenance and Operations team about the places they find most peaceful or where they feel one with nature. As part of the Facilities Division, Landscape Maintenance and Operations is made up of about 100 full-time employees and seasonal interns who are responsible for mowing and turf management, snow and ice removal, plant care, tree trimming and stormwater irrigation. They also ensure that the university’s properties remain litter-free through waste management and recycling programs. 

“We manage the campus landscape from a standpoint of functionality and usability,” said Jeff Del Pinal, program manager for Landscape Services. “Whether it’s just someone taking a brief respite, studying or participating in an outdoor class, all of our spaces are designed with the intent to be used by the campus community.”

Continue reading to find places to check out during your next stroll around campus. Special thanks to Del Pinal as well as Courtney Eads, horticultural supervisor for all campus; Nate Smith, landscape maintenance supervisor for main campus; Jonathan Minns, interim landscape operations manager for Centennial Campus; and Roberto Uribe Ceciliano, interim supervisor at the Centennial Biomedical Campus/College of Veterinary Medicine.

Central Campus

Mary Yarbrough Court

One of NC State’s 10 Hallowed Places, Mary Yarbrough Court offers the campus community a quiet space filled with beautifully manicured greenery that reflects its namesake’s lifelong love of a well-tended garden. Whether you know it or not, you’ve likely visited the spot at least a time or two; it’s tucked just behind Holladay Hall on North Campus, within view of the Memorial Belltower.

Gardner Arboretum

Known for its strolling professor statue, the Gardner Arboretum is a 1-acre tract between Patterson Hall and Burlington Engineering Laboratory. It was dedicated and named for Monroe Evans Gardner, a former head of the Department of Horticulture, and designed as a teaching laboratory for horticulture students.

Today, it is a scenic and quiet space where students can study or admire the wide variety of plants situated between the winding sidewalks. There is ample seating, including multiple two-person swings, as well as an area with chairs and tables with solar-powered outlets to charge laptops, phones and other devices.

Third Floor Patio of Talley Student Union

There are many common areas to be found in Talley Student Union, but if you are looking for a place to enjoy a hot beverage or have lunch with a colleague, this is the place our groundskeepers most highly recommend. Seated at one of the tables, you’ll enjoy great views of the Wellness and Recreation Center and Dail Softball Stadium. There is also a small garden featuring several plant varieties in large white vases.

The Governors Scott Courtyard

Situated between Fox Science Teaching Lab and Kilgore Hall, the Governors Scott Courtyard is an open space where Poole College of Management and College of Sciences students and faculty and staff members regularly congregate. The brick sidewalks intersect at a circular seating area with wooden benches and tables, plus a large archway featuring a variety of plant life growing along the sides. 

The Gregg Museum of Art & Design

While the Gregg Museum is known for the beautiful works of art inside, Del Pinal notes that the former chancellor’s residence has “a diverse landscape and gardens in the back that shouldn’t be overlooked.” The outside lawn, in particular, regularly hosts museum events as well as yoga sessions for the university community. It also has served as a wedding venue. 

Parents Park and the SOL Garden

A short walk past the parking lot next to Fountain Dining Hall is Parents Park. With covered pavilions and multiple picnic tables, it’s the perfect location to have a picnic with colleagues or family members. There is also ample lawn space to set up cornhole boards or other games. 

The Artists’ Backyard

One of the most underrated spaces on campus, according to our groundskeepers, is the Artists’ Backyard between Turlington and Owen residence halls. Aptly named because of its proximity to the Arts Village in Turlington Hall, the space was dedicated in 2011 as a joint project between University Housing and the Department of Landscape Architecture. The site was designed to house a multitude of perennials and other plants and as well as to assist with stormwater management by using a variety of blue stone pavers and builders. Today, the Artists’ Backyard is a popular space for students looking for a quiet place to study, work on an art project or to set up a hammock and enjoy a good book.

Rocky Branch Greenway

This popular paved track follows Rocky Branch from the intersection with Walnut Creek Greenway Trail to Reedy Creek Trail on the campus of Meredith College. It passes directly through NC State’s campus and includes a stretch that our groundskeepers call one of the most peaceful places on campus. Under the bridge at the intersection of Pullen Road and Western Boulevard is a water stream with rock formations. Despite being adjacent to a busy highway, the sound of running water drowns out the noise and provides a serene escape in nature. 

Centennial Campus

Lake Raleigh Recreation Area

One of the biggest hidden gems on all of NC State’s properties is the Lake Raleigh Recreation Area. Created as a reservoir for the city in the early 1900s, Lake Raleigh is a sprawling oasis less than 3 miles from Downtown Raleigh. The 75-acre lake and its trails are open from dawn until dusk, and there are three areas of public access. This Hallowed Place sits in the heart of NC State’s Centennial Campus and offers plenty of opportunities for outdoor exploration, including hiking, biking, picnics, disc golf, fishing, non-motorized boating and watersports.

The Oval

Another Hallowed Place and the center of Centennial Campus, the Oval is an open greenspace enclosed by four engineering buildings and the ultramodern James B. Hunt Jr. Library. Its ample lawn space makes it ideal for sitting on a blanket or setting up a chair to study on a fall or spring day.

One of the crown jewels for the Oval is the newly installed Reds and Whites — a plaza and artwork made from a collection of sculpted glass designed to play off the reflective qualities of the color red. The finished installation now sits at the bottom of the Oval, just beyond the front doors of the Hunt Library, welcoming visitors from our Wolfpack community and beyond to enjoy this new space celebrating our ideals as a university.

The Corner

Fixed around a constellation of four repurposed shipping containers, this open-air space is designed for gathering, collaborating and socializing. If you’re looking for a place to tackle some work, kick back with friends, connect with your team or student group, check out campus events or even host a program of your own, The Corner is for you. 

Centennial Biomedical Campus (College of Veterinary Medicine)

The College of Veterinary Medicine Pastures

Located behind the College of Veterinary Medicine is 80 acres of lush, rolling hills that house 200 head of livestock and 20 different species of mammals as well as the Teaching Animal Unit. While it is only 6 miles from Downtown Raleigh, this Hallowed Place will make you feel like you are deep in the country and nowhere near a city. 

This post was originally published in NC State News.