Applications
Plantings shall be considered throughout the site, with special attention to high visibility areas and frequently traveled pathways, such as building entrances, accessible routes, and outdoor amenities (e.g. outdoor classrooms and playgrounds). Consideration shall be given to screening unsightly adjacent uses, such as mechanical and trash enclosures. Typical landscape treatments include:
- Parkway / Streetscape Landscaping
- Parking Lot Landscaping
- Entry and Foundation Landscaping
- Screening Landscaping
- Playground Landscaping
- Rainwater Management Landscaping
- Lawn / Natural Lawn Landscaping
- Specialty Garden Landscaping
- Butterfly / Pollinator Garden Landscaping
- Edible Garden Landscaping
- Sensory Garden Landscaping
Refer to Volume 3 Section 1.8.4 Approved Plant Lists for a complete list of permitted plant species.
Native and Adapted Species
Native and adapted plants are strongly encouraged in all instances, with an emphasis on increasing plant species diversity. Native plantings:
- Provide year-round interest
- Create wildlife habitat
- Encourage education
- Reduce maintenance
- Provide myriad benefits for schools and communities
Exotic, invasive plant species are not permitted on any CPS property
Biodiversity
Plantings provide a rich opportunity for increasing biodiversity and creating or enhancing vital habitat for local birds, butterflies, and insects.
Irrigation
Irrigation of school sites is discouraged from both a water use and budgetary standpoint, however, hose bibs shall be installed at the building perimeter and also provided at remote parking lots as required by the Chicago Landscape Ordinance. All planting beds shall be within reasonable distance of a watering connection.
Maintenance
Design planting beds and select plant species with consideration of balancing diversity and long-term maintenance.
- Avoid large single plant species monocultures.
- Planting areas shall generally have no more than 10-15 perennial species.
- Block style planting, or using small groupings or drifts of individual species, is encouraged in lieu of more complicated matrix style plantings for ease of maintenance and weeding.
- Per maintenance considerations, planting areas shall generally be comprised of mainly understory or ornamental trees and shrubs with more maintenance-intensive perennials reserved for use as accents or in focal areas.
Landscaping will be maintained by CPS maintenance staff, therefore fertilizing and pruning services are not available. Any groundcover or planting material adjacent to paved surfaces must be tolerant to salt and winter deicing methods.
Safety & Security
Plantings areas shall be designed with safety in mind. Special care shall be taken to:
- Avoid large, dense groupings of plants that may impede visibility or provide places to hide
- Maintain open sight lines
- Avoid planting species with thorns or species poisonous if digested
- Avoid planting weak wooded tree species or those that can drop hazardous litter