EC unveils rooftop garden on Frick Center

Elmhurst College installed a 20,000 sq. foot green roof on top of the Frick Center this past week to create a hands-on-learning and research experience for students.

“A portion of the green roof could be utilized for research and benefit our students and faculty with their participation,” said Mike Emerson, executive director of Facility Management.

Facilities management began the installation late September, and it wrapped up within a few days, installing 1000 four-by-four trays of succulent sedum plants.

The garden will be accessible to students within the environmental studies major and classes related to the major.

Kelly Mikenas, lecturer for the biology department, has plans to expand the biodiversity on the roof by introducing new species to research how plants upkeep on the roof versus in an indoor environment.

“In the future, hopefully more of [Illinois] native species can be planted on the green roof,” said Mikenas.

Students will have to participate in a written assessment before using a ladder inside the Frick Center to access the roof, where they will be on a harness.

The green roof is part of the 2021 masterplan to create more sustainable spaces on campus.

With the addition of this green roof, EC now has two green roofs, with a smaller one on the roof of the Schaible Science Center.