How the removal of overgrowth revived a middle-school courtyard
“I thought we were supposed to save the trees, not cut ‘em all down.”
A young man said this to me recently as my team worked on a tree-removal project. Although I couldn’t answer him then, I still felt a need to explain why it was necessary to remove a significant amount of overgrowth from his school’s courtyard. I thank him for his curiosity, which inspired this article.
West Milford Township is home to the Highlands and sits in the heart of Passaic County, N.J. It’s a suburban setting where fishing, hunting, and apple picking dominate fall festivities. Macopin Middle School serves 677 children in grades 6 through 8 and has a long history, serving as West Milford High School until 1976.
There is a statue that sits in its courtyard. It was donated by the final graduating class to commemorate the campus’ transition to a middle school. However, until recently, the statue could not be seen, and the courtyard could not be used due to overgrowth and inattention.
A New Beginning
Many years passed since the courtyard last received the attention it needed. Trees that began as small saplings had grown too large and were beginning to infiltrate the roof. Small bushes that once lined the courtyard’s perimeter grew into large bushes that became ideal homes for insect nests. The greenery had grown so much that it blocked sunlight from reaching the building. Middle schoolers passed the area daily without giving it a second thought.
When the overgrowth was brought to my attention, I saw how a cleanup project could benefit the building, roof, drainage, and pest control, and I jumped at the opportunity. As the Buildings and Grounds Supervisor for the district, this was right up my alley.
Photos: Douglas Glenn
After officially taking on the project, I contacted some local landscapers to get quotes for the job. My excitement grew with each response. In the meantime, I researched the project’s potential benefits for the environment, the plants, and the trees. It soon became apparent that this cleanup was important for more than just the building.
Consulting with tree experts and landscape professionals gave me insight into the upsides of clearing the land and helped me see the bigger picture. Once word got out that “something was going to happen out there,” the school community floated different ideas about how to develop the space.
It was decided that the area needed a restart; much of the overgrown vegetation was beyond saving and had to be removed. The district settled on a contractor, and the vendor got to work, clearing the overgrown brush. The team gave careful consideration to all the ornamental trees, the dedications, and the healthy trees. Still, there was much that needed to be torn out. The space is currently awaiting a new plan but can be enjoyed as is until the next phase is announced.
Beyond The Building
The benefits of this project that extend beyond the building envelope include the following:
- Increased sunlight: More direct sun will reach the grounds and the building while also aiding the photosynthesis of the remaining plants (a phenomenon that may interest the school’s science classes).
- Fire prevention: Wildfires are common in the area, but by reducing the amount of dry, overgrown brush in the courtyard, the potential for a large fire has been reduced.
- Healthy growth: By reducing crowding among the trees, the remaining trees can grow straight because they no longer need to compete for sunlight.
- Better view: The school’s classrooms are brighter, and students and teachers can see across the courtyard.
- Outdoor fun: Students will soon be able to enjoy the space, eating lunch outside and maybe appreciating the commemorative statue.
- Improved safety: Security has improved now that overgrown brush no longer obstructs the school’s cameras. There are also fewer areas for people to hide.
With the first part of this transformation completed, the overall benefits of clearing the space have excited me about this new chapter and what it will bring to the students. Principal Greg Matlosz says, “Macopin Middle School students and staff will benefit from this recent project by having access to an outdoor classroom, an area to eat lunch, [and to] meet as part of a school activity and/or club. With this new beginning, Macopin Middle School has the opportunity to lay a new foundation of what our courtyard should become. We are thankful to our district and Mr. Glenn for all of their work in making this happen."
The district team looks forward to developing a plan for the space—the possibilities are endless.