Dig in to the full landscape of our business, including our latest projects, awards, events, community service projects, and more.
By emulating native, supportive plant communities in their design process, landscape architects can purposefully create habitat essential for sustaining biodiversity and resiliency.
As the foundation of healthy functioning ecosystems, native plant communities buffer the impacts of extreme weather events such as severe flooding and prolonged drought. Landscape architects can create stormwater management systems that harness the natural benefits of native plant communities, designing beautiful, functional landscapes that support both wildlife and people.
A perfect example of creating biodiverse, resilient landscape is the work Hitchcock Design Group has done for the University of Illinois Chicago's Arthington Mall Plaza. The design incorporates permeable paving and rain gardens to collect, clean, and infiltrate street stormwater. The existing mature tree canopy was preserved while adding new walkways and pedestrian gathering areas, custom seating areas, updated site furnishings, irrigation, native shrubs, perennials, and rain garden plantings. The mall now serves as a nexus of biodiverse activity (including humans!).
#wlam2024
#biodiversity
#resilientlandscapes
#sustainability
📷 University of Illinois Chicago
In 2020, the Batavia Park District and the City of Batavia entered into an inter-governmental agreement to prepare a master plan for the Fox River Corridor. Hitchcock Design Group was engaged to prepare the plan for the purpose of evaluating options for removing the Batavia Dam, improving recreation, and addressing connectivity and access along the river.
"Understanding water ecology is crucial in riverfront development, as we need to consider opportunities for the protection and enhancement of degraded natural ecosystems, creation of functional habitats that support diverse aquatic life, protection of shoreline from continued erosion, and improvement of the overall resilience of these waterfront landscapes. By embracing nature-based solutions and fostering a deep-rooted connection to the ecosystems that sustain us, we can future-proof our riverfronts against whatever challenges may come our way."
Lacey Lawrence, Principal
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#water
What inspires you?
#WLAM #WLAM2024 #inspire #inspiration #landscapearchitecture #design #HDG #hdgnation!
Please take a few moments to congratulate Doug Fair on his promotion to Principal! A 17-year veteran in the industry, Doug is heavily involved in all aspects of our business from design and management of small neighborhood parks to full system comprehensive planning. He is active with team operations and corporate initiatives bringing thoughtful leadership to every situation. We have yet to talk to a client who isn’t a “Doug Fan” and he brings a fun but focused culture to our recreation studio. Congratulations Doug and thanks for all you do!
Boneyard Creek is a highly channelized and engineered waterway that flows through Champaign, Illinois, draining much of the city, including the central business district and the University of Illinois Campustown area. Poor water quality and flooding issues prompted the City and University to develop a seven-phase redevelopment master plan. Phase 2 of this plan, the Second Street Detention Basin, restored the curvilinear alignment of the original waterway using natural stone terraces to control erosion. The design increased stormwater holding capacity and enhanced ecological function, while creating new spaces for recreation and enjoyment. The detention basin provides 100-year flood protection in the setting of an attractive park, which along with the adjacent Scott Park, links downtown and the university with open space, winding trails, and a wide pedestrian promenade.
Given the community’s desire for the project to go beyond functional stormwater management, the $10.7-million improvements were designed and constructed to also be an amenity. To that end, two basins serve as the project’s focal points and key sites for community events. These basins feature recirculating natural stone waterfalls; wetlands; and a promenade, overlook, and amphitheater. The promenade and overlook were lowered four feet from street level to create a space that was visually removed from the busy street and allow users to have tranquil views. A fully accessible pathway system connects users with miles of walkways that serve multiple neighborhoods and communities.
The Boneyard Creek Detention Project is not only an efficient model of stormwater management, but also a place that supports recreation, connectivity, and adjacent economic development; all of which have fostered civic pride in a space that was once considered an eyesore.
City of Champaign - Municipal Government
At the western gateway to its historic downtown, the 22-acre Columbus Riverfront concept includes connections to engage motorists, pedestrians, cyclists, and paddlers. Compelling attractions include the conversion of a low head dam into an exciting in-river whitewater feature, a high-amenity riverwalk, a nature-based children’s play environment, and an appearance that respects the city’s extraordinary cultural heritage.
Initiated by the Columbus Redevelopment Commission, community leaders approved an integrated four-part strategy to create and sustain an iconic riverfront experience that strengthens Columbus’ iconic brand and robust economy.
The $9 million first segment is expected to promote adjacent land development, generate over $100,000 in annual local and state tax revenue, and attract the area’s high-tech workforce.
Hitchcock Design Group facilitated community engagement and created the concept alongside a team of experts in market and real estate economics, dam removal / whitewater recreation, water resources, and structural engineering.
#WLAM2024
#connectingcommunities
The U.S. Department of Agriculture proposes that one large tree can provide a day's supply of oxygen for up to four people. And as the Arbor Day Foundation has stated, during one year, a mature tree will absorb more than 48 pounds of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and release oxygen in exchange. In 2023 alone, the Hitchcock Design Group's landscape architects planted 5,326 trees for our clients. We plan to continue to track our impact on the environment and the communities which we serve.
#HDG #trees #oxygen #climateaction #climate #impact #treesplanted #environment #communities #landscapearchitecture #design
You say "parks," we say "recreation!" Hitchcock Design Group has such deep experience in landscape architecture, planning and funding for athletics, aquatics and creative play environments, we've actually trademarked the phrase "experts at play."
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#parks
View a sample of our recreation portfolio and download a brochure at
www.hitchcockdesigngroup.com/recreation/
Our practice ranges from multifamily to mixed-use, civic to senior living, healthcare to hospitality, recreation to education and more. Want to dig deeper? We’re all about that.
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