The future of Lehigh is taking shape through projects that connect people, strengthen the student experience and advance the university’s commitment to sustainability. From opening previously restricted forest lands for recreation and learning, to building new student housing designed with wellness and environmental stewardship in mind, these initiatives reflect a shared vision for the campus and community.
The Future Begins on South Mountain
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A progress report on two key initiatives included in the university’s 30-year campus masterplan framework, Making the Future.
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Photography by
Grace Alto ’26
Posted on
August 25, 2026
On Earth Day, Lehigh opened several hiking trails in Forest Park with help from Clutch.
Forest Park Welcomes Hikers
Lehigh’s private wooded lands, known as Forest Park, are home to over 900 identified species of plants and animals. For decades this 760-acre natural resource was open only with university permission for research and educational purposes.
On Earth Day this year, with the snip of a ribbon and some help from Clutch, Lehigh opened several hiking trails in Forest Park. The Lehigh community can now access trailheads from Sayre Village and Lookout Drive. Visitors will find public trails at South Mountain Park on Mountain Drive. The trails represent a commitment to environmental stewardship, experiential learning and shared enjoyment of the outdoors with the broader Bethlehem and Lehigh Valley community.
Trailhead signage, trail markers and clear displays of rules and regulations have been installed to guide visitors. Future phases of the Forest Park initiative will include additional trails as well as a long-term goal of greater active management of the forest to encourage regeneration of desirable tree species and ensure long-term sustainability.
East Hill Residence Halls Project Underway
This June, the Lehigh Facilities and Campus Planning team asked students to stop by for a “sit test.” The goal was to gather honest feedback about the comfort and usefulness of proposed furniture for the forthcoming East Hill Residence Halls.
East Hill Residence Halls will be a 370-bed student dormitory with first floor amenity spaces, including lounge, gaming area, multi-purpose room, kitchenette, and laundry facilities. Nestled between Drinker and the McClintic-Marshall House on South Mountain, the project will be fully-electrified, with a LEED Gold sustainability goal and a high priority placed on health and wellness.
Featuring four interconnected wings, the interior will create a welcoming sense of belonging that facilitates socialization while providing personal space.
The first active phase of the project, site preparation, will begin in fall 2026. The site will be cleared of plants and trees, including many that are in poor condition and non-native, while saving as many native trees as possible. A number of the felled trees will be preserved for use in student design projects. Future landscaping will feature native vegetation and trees, resulting in a true ecological restoration of the site.
Construction will continue throughout 2027, with the first residents expected to move in for the fall 2028 semester.
By strengthening student experiences and fostering deeper connections, these projects bring to life the goals of the Lehigh Strategy and the Making the Future master plan.
Story by Hillary Kwiatek
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Photography by
Grace Alto ’26
Posted on
August 25, 2026
