Right outside of the Waldron Campus Center and adjacent to the Gannon arch, Friendship Green is a refreshing oasis in an urban campus. Here are five things you ought to know about it:

1. Students are not the only ones who benefit. Friendship Green is actually owned by the Cathedral of St. Paul. With offices on Gannon’s campus, the church and the Episcopal Diocese of Northwestern Pennsylvania sponsor the space.

2. Friendship Green is the former location of the Schuster Theatre. Before it was torn down and moved to its current place on Sixth and Sassafras, the Schuster Theatre was situated on Friendship Green.

3. The green welcomes new students. Every summer, new students gather on Friendship Green for activities, food and social mixers as part of orientation. It gives incoming freshmen a place to form friendships before they start school in the fall.

4. It’s the best picnic spot on campus. Lake Erie provides the city with beautiful weather in fall, spring and summer. Students love to grab a sandwich from Doc’s Landing or Knight’s Cove and enjoy lunch by themselves or with friends at one of Friendship Green’s many picnic tables.

5. The green hosts many school-sponsored activities. Students are always passing Friendship Green, making it the perfect spot for club and Greek events. Icebreaker activities, recruitment fairs, luncheons and fundraisers are held there throughout the year.

Another popular place on campus: AJ’s Way.