12/17/2025
Kendal at Oberlin’s application to the Arbor Day Foundation was recently renewed, which means the life plan community has been recognized as a Tree Campus Healthcare community since 2022.
According to the Arbor Day Foundation:
“Being recognized as a Tree Campus is a significant achievement. It demonstrates your institution's commitment to environmental stewardship, sustainability, and community engagement. By meeting the rigorous standards set forth by the Arbor Day Foundation, you contribute to a greener and healthier campus environment.”
There are about 60 Tree Campus Healthcare designations in the United States but only a handful are Continuing Care Retirement Communities such as Kendal at Oberlin.
Being a Tree Campus is just one of several environmental sustainability initiatives at Kendal.
The John Bartram Arboretum at Kendal at Oberlin was accredited as a Level II arboretum in 2022 by ArbNet, the global network of arboreta founded by the Morton Arboretum in Illinois. This is the only arboretum in Northeast Ohio which resides on the grounds of a retirement community (Kendal at Oberlin). Stewardship of the arboretum’s 100+ acre grounds, ensures its conservation as a place where trees and other plants are grown for enjoyment, education and celebration of the natural environment…a place where Kendal residents, staff and the greater community can benefit from for years to come.
In an effort to reduce light pollution, which adversely effects human health, wildlife and the environment along with wasting money and energy, Kendal hopes to become the first retirement community certified as a Dark Sky Place by Dark Sky International. Lighting improvements that have been made at Kendal, include shielded, low glare walkway lighting that dims down when no one is on the path and installation of 20-foot poles (instead of the usual 8-10 foot) that provide more uniform lighting with fewer poles.
In 2021 Kendal mounted 60 solar panels on a new garage and carport, each with 2 EV charging stations. These panels generate enough electricity to light both buildings, power the charging stations and illuminate 75 energy-efficient LED light poles and posts.
