Fans have a new area where they can tailgate at Alex Box Stadium after the completion of hard paving around a grove of sycamore trees to the west of the stadium, along with the addition of sidewalk paving around the area.
The grove of sycamore trees where landscaping was added are remnants of the old golf course from before Alex Box Stadium was built.
“We decided to keep the tree grove with future tailgating in mind,” said assistant director for the University’s Department of Planning, Design and Construction Dennis Mitchell.
Mitchell said because the site was so close to the stadium and not being fully utilized, the Athletics Department wanted to design a more user-friendly area for tailgaters.
“Tailgaters are going to find their spots; that’s just the nature of tailgating,” Mitchell said.
The ground under the trees has been mulched, and there are plans to add more trees to the area.
The hard landscaping around the site allows fans to better utilize the space and creates better access to the cub complex, Mitchell said.
Adding paving to the area also gives tailgaters the opportunity to set up on both sides of the sidewalk.
Mitchell said the Athletics Department intends to landscape more, but the short-term goal was to enhance the area for the fan experience, especially on rainy game days, by getting concrete down.
“I have a feeling that it’s going to grow a little bit,” Mitchell said. “It looks successful.”
