Dig in to the full landscape of our business, including our latest projects, awards, events, community service projects, and more.
This just in! The Garfield Park Conservatory and the Chicago Park District partnered with the Hitchcock Design Group team to breathe new life into the Elizabeth Morse Genius Children’s Garden, a vibrant tropical play and learning environment nestled beneath the expansive glass canopy of the conservatory. The reimagined space has been completely transformed into an engaging, interactive wonderland that captivates visitors of all ages. A standout feature is the accessible spiral deck, which leads to a stunning, custom-designed flower-themed climber, allowing adventurers to ascend into the conservatory’s breathtaking clearstory for a unique perspective on the lush surroundings.
Visitors are invited to immerse themselves in a dynamic mix of hands-on activities, including planting workshops, creative crafts, art projects, and opportunities to discover the fascinating stories of the tropical ambassador plants. Families will delight in exploring oversized features like whimsical shelf fungi, towering fallen logs, and giant leaves, all thoughtfully designed to spark curiosity and encourage exploration within this richly planted paradise.
The project team skillfully addressed the unique challenges of designing for a tropical environment, such as managing the intense heat and humidity that are essential to preserving this delicate ecosystem. Beyond its botanical treasures, the revitalized garden serves as a beacon of education and inspiration for the surrounding community, offering a rare and enriching escape in a historically under-resourced Chicago neighborhood. This hidden gem delivers unforgettable encounters with the wonders of the tropics to guests who might otherwise never experience such a magical environment.
Stay tuned for more updates as construction continues. Meantime, learn more about the conservatory and why it matters: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ja8yX85tRvw
Garfield Park Conservatory
#DesignExcellence #CollaborationEquity #PlayForAll #PlayEquity #LandscapeArchitecture
Despite the headlines, the AEC industry remains steady. In this Q2 update, Hitchcock Design Group CEO Bill Inman breaks down what’s really happening, from market shifts to internal momentum, and why there’s reason for optimism. Read more here: www.hitchcockdesigngroup.com/holding-steady-while-the-ground-shifts/
#designexcellence
#collaborationequity
#landscapearchitecture
#aec
The Hitchcock Recreation Studio has decades of experience in creating high-performance, sustainable spaces that promote community engagement, fun, and fitness.
Our expertise in the Athletics market often includes comprehensive master plan analyses, utilizing proven community engagement models to ensure an empathetic approach to the design of sportsplexes, natural and artificial turf fields, sports courts, and more. The result is beautiful, efficient venues that positively impact the lives they touch, as well as the community’s bottom line.
Downers Grove Park District
Northbrook Park District
#parks #recreation #play #expertsatplay #landscapearchitecture #sportspark #sportscomplex #athletics #pickleball
Refreshing a Coastal Icon
Hitchcock Design Group was selected to re-envision El Prado Park, a signature open space in Lauderdale-By-The-Sea identified for improvement in the town’s 2025 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). Located just north of the downtown core along the Atlantic Ocean, the park is slated for enhancement—not redevelopment—with the goal of refreshing its coastal landscape palette, site furniture, and lighting, while improving opportunities for shade and views of the ocean. The park's growing event schedule also calls for updated hardscape, improved functionality, and a modern approach to its passive and programmed uses.
Last week, Managing Principal Alex Fenech and Senior Associate Aaron Elswick from our South Florida studio participated in the second community input session for the project. This followed a March survey that gathered over 128 resident responses, informing two conceptual designs proposed by the team. The concepts emphasize ocean views, a native planting approach, increased shade, and the town’s iconic Adirondack chairs and umbrellas—all within a framework inspired by Lauderdale-By-The-Sea’s mid-century modern character. The team was using this input session to solicit feedback that will shape their refinements ahead of a final presentation to the Town Commission in May.
#DesignExcellence
#CollaborationEquity
#CommunityInput
#ThisIsLandscapeArchitecture
#WLAM
Town of Lauderdale By The Sea
Designing outdoor spaces that nurture the human spirit.
We believe healing begins the moment someone arrives on a hospital campus. That’s why we work closely with the full design team to shape circulation systems that are simple, logical, and welcoming. Along the way, we intentionally introduce positive distractions—moments of beauty, comfort, and calm—that help reduce stress and support emotional well-being.
Central to this approach is the power of nature. Decades of research affirm what we intuitively know: human beings are hardwired to respond to natural environments. This connection—biophilia—can lower blood pressure, reduce anxiety, and improve mood. Whether it's a view to a garden, the sound of water, or the feel of sunlight on skin, these natural moments make a measurable difference in the healing journey.
In urban hospitals, where every square foot matters, the challenge is to create these restorative experiences within tight constraints. That’s why respite spaces—whether for patients, staff, families, or clinicians—must be thoughtfully integrated into the fabric of the campus. They are not luxuries; they are essential. Rooftop gardens, small courtyards, green edges along pathways—each offers a chance to connect with nature, rest, and restore.
With a holistic approach to design, we align disciplines, programs, and user needs to create outdoor environments that are not only functional and sustainable, but truly supportive of healing. These are places where people can find clarity, comfort, and—most importantly—hope.
#DesignExcellence
#CollaborationEquity
#DesigningWellness
#ThisIsLandscapeArchitecture
#WLAM
Advocate Health
UW Health
CannonDesign
Eriksson Engineering Associates
Affiliated Engineers, Inc.
Power Construction
Gewalt Hamilton Associates, Inc.
HKS Architects
We had a blast at the Indy's Lunch for Parks. Thanks for having us The Parks Alliance of Indianapolis! #parksfunlunch
Here's to a happy one-year anniversary for HDG Project Designer Sam Alvarez!
Sam's journey into landscape architecture began during an undergraduate horticultural design studio at Texas A&M University, where a fascination with hand drafting first "took root." The meticulous attention to detail required for hand rendering, coupled with the mathematical precision of scale drawings, captivated Sam. The balance between rigid technical principles and abstract conceptual design solidified a passion for the field, leading to graduate studies in landscape architecture.
It was in graduate school that Sam truly fell in love with the profession, discovering a world that had always been present but now felt newly illuminated. Drawn to urban reclamation, site remediation, and inclusive design, Sam is passionate about the transformative potential of landscape architecture. Whether designing an intimate backyard retreat or a sprawling 15-mile linear park, Sam sees every project as an opportunity to choreograph spaces that serve multiple needs, creating environments that are both functional and beautiful.
#DesignExcellence
#CollaborationEquity
#LifeBalance
#LandscapeArchitecture
Putting “play for all” into practice.
We were honored to be involved with a new project for the Rockford (Illinois) Park District, affectionately called Buddy Baseball.
Buddy Baseball allows children with intellectual and/or physical disabilities to discover the joy of baseball by partnering them with able-bodied buddies. The buddies help their players as needed, whether it be pointing to where the ball should be thrown, helping them run bases, or just sharing in the fun.
But the Park District needed a space built specifically for their participants’ needs and skillsets. So, they turned to HDG for some solutions. Our scope includes a complete renovation of the existing inclusive baseball and athletic fields, restrooms, storage, parking and drop-off, and support facilities.
Some of the ways we’ll address the needs of these special athletes:
Dugout areas are larger because some of the participants are in larger mobility devices and need room to maneuver
Collapsible player benches were specified in the dugouts to provide more room for mobility devices
Larger openings in sideline fencing were provided for access by mobility devices
Single user (Unisex) restrooms were provided in lieu of larger multi-user restrooms, so that players and care givers have more privacy
In addition to baby changing tables, one of the restrooms includes an adult changing table
The Rockford Park District will be using an Ag Lime infield that will stay firm and support mobility devices
More ADA parking stalls than requiredby code were provided
The majority of the parking lot was designed with a max 2% cross pitch so that parking stalls can be re-striped as ADA spaces if needed
Walk paths and pavements were widened for mobility devices
Learn more about Rockford Park District's Buddy Baseball project here: rockfordparkdistrict.org/news/permanent-home-base-announced-for-buddy-baseball-and-all-stars-base...
Rockford Park District
#DesignExcellence
#CollaborationEquity
#thisislandscapearchitecture
#BuddyBaseball
#PlayEquity
Happy 9th anniversary to HDG Senior Principal and Managing Principal of our Indianapolis studio, Randy Royer!
Randy's broad range of experience covers a career of more than 30 years and includes designing museum grounds in Japan, estates in South Florida and streetscapes, parks and corporate campuses throughout the Midwest. As the leader of Hitchcock Design Group’s Indianapolis office, he seeks to develop strong client relationships, combine aesthetics, functionality and maintainability in all of his projects. He calls Columbus, Indiana home and is very active in the community. Randy is currently a board member of the Columbus, Indiana Architectural Archives and the Foundation For Youth. He is also a past member of the Purdue Agriculture Alumni Association Board, and the past president of the Indiana Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects and the Columbus Area Visitor’s Center Board. Randy maintains a passion for collaboration between community, clients and design professionals.
#DesignExcellence
#CollaborationEquity
#LandscapeArchitecture
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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