USC has announced that the Peace Garden will relocate to Kerckhoff Hall, with construction expected to begin in the spring of 2026.
Julie McLaughlin Gray, the associate chair in the Chan Division, said in a briefing with Annenberg Media and the Daily Trojan that Kerckhoff Hall was chosen because it offered more room than the other sites under consideration, and met several criteria set by students and community members.
“We’re excited to continue the work we were doing in the former location and also add some new features,” McLaughlin Gray said.
The USC Peace Garden, created by Camille Dieterle, an associate professor of clinical occupational therapy, was previously located on Shrine Place before USC sold the property over the summer. The closure prompted student outcry and concern about losing a community space that supported gardening, produce sharing, wellness classes and informal gatherings.
McLaughlin Gray said the new location aims to restore community connection and remain accessible to residents of the university’s surrounding neighborhoods.
A September survey conducted by USC Sustainability garnered 291 responses from students, staff, faculty and community members to gauge the most desired locations, furniture and plant types. The most requested components included an on-campus location with access to sunlight, shade, space for programming and a mix of shade trees and native plants. Respondents also highlighted accessible pathways and quiet areas.
USC Chief Sustainability Officer Mick Dalrymple said the Kerckhoff Hall is “a beautiful green location … with a lot of space” and provides “a lot of potential for features promoting rest, relaxation and wellness activities.”
McLaughlin Gray, Dalrymple and Chan faculty member Gabe Craven will oversee the planning before construction.
USC officials said they plan to establish a channel for students and community members to share suggestions as design work begins.
Once the Peace Garden is back in operation, applications for three student worker positions are set to open in the spring.
The Peace Garden’s mission and past programming can be found here.
Additional reporting by Karan Lodha