The Spirit of Troy Lawn, USC’s newest green space, has opened over the former site of Trojan Residence Hall and Marks Residence Hall, both of which were demolished in 2023. The lawn features new picnic tables, benches and a variety of California native shrubs and plants.

In a statement to the Daily Trojan, Hunter Gaines, the executive director for Capital Construction Development, wrote that the space was designed to give the USC community another opportunity to connect with nature on campus. 

“The Spirit of Troy Lawn is a new open green space for our students, faculty, staff and visitors to enjoy. It has sustainable plants and a large lawn area that provides an opportunity to spend time in nature in the center of the University Park Campus,” Gaines wrote.

The Spirit of Troy Lawn features a walkway connecting two larger seating areas, one being in close proximity to Marks Tower, and the other being adjacent to buildings from the Marshall School of Business. Yellow and purple flowers, along with trees, decorate the space.

Fiona Xu, a doctoral student studying East Asian languages and cultures, said she appreciated the native plants in the park. She often utilizes outdoor spaces, particularly places with foliage and shade. 

“It’s nice to have more plants on campus,” Xu said. “Introducing sustainable plants would increase the biodiversity on campus. I’m always welcoming of that.”

The Spirit of Troy Lawn is one part of a new landscaping initiative prioritizing native and sustainable plants. Bordering Watt Way, next to the Bing Theatre, is the site of a future “Native & Climate Adaptive Landscape” according to signage put up by Assignment: Earth, the University’s sustainability framework.  

According to Zelinda Welch, the director of energy and sustainability for USC Facilities Planning and Management, students can expect more landscaping changes in the future, as the Spirit of Troy Lawn’s reduction of grass in some areas signifies the beginning of a larger-scale cutback of turf that is expected to start in the following months. In a statement to the Daily Trojan, Welch, wrote that close to 10,000 square feet of turf is set to be removed starting this winter. Additional landscaping projects are also in development.

Tselane Matthews, a sophomore majoring in economics, said she liked having more outdoor areas on campus. Matthews also prioritizes finding areas that are less crowded.

“I think the more green space we have is just better,” Matthews said. “People are outside more. We’re in California, the weather’s good.” 

As the landscape of USC continues to change, students can be involved in the renovations. In a statement to the Daily Trojan, Chelsea Graham, experiential learning manager at the USC Office of Sustainability, said some environmental science classes were providing information to FPM’s Grounds and Landscaping team, including helping to analyze soil samples to identify any adjustments needed before planting. 

“We are actively involving students in various aspects of the landscape transformations happening around campus,” Graham wrote. “This semester, two environmental studies courses are contributing to landscape transformations.”