Dig in to the full landscape of our business, including our latest projects, awards, events, community service projects, and more.
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."
#wlam2024
#parks
View a sample of our recreation portfolio and download a brochure at
www.hitchcockdesigngroup.com/recreation/
The color green is universally connected to the natural world. Its definition has come to include a number of wonderful human qualities and virtues that we thought especially relate to Hitchcock Design Group, long a proponent of all things green.
#WLAM2024
#green
Hand sketching is invaluable for capturing inspiration and observations on-site, enabling Hitchcock Design Group's landscape architects to generate design solutions and document ideas in real time. Our Indy-based Design Director, M.J. Meneley is one of the absolute best at this craft.
#wlam2024
#sketch
Next month, the University of Illinois Alumni Association will be dedicating their memorial fountain to Jennifer Dillavou, a Champaign native and beloved alumna.
"Jennifer's passion for welcoming new graduates into the alumni family and her joy in turning the fountain orange at Homecoming are memories we hold dear. It is in this spirit that we dedicate the fountain at the Alice Campbell Alumni Center in her name, celebrating her leadership, passion, and the indelible mark she left on our community." - University of Illinois Alumni Association
Hitchcock Design Group completed the design for this fountain in 2016 as part of U of I's Hallene Gateway project. We are honored to have been a part of this project dedicated to such a remarkable individual.
#communityimpact
#wlam2024
Illinois Alumni
Our Indy-based Senior Associate Shannon Harcourt and Design Director MJ Meneley thoroughly enjoyed their time introducing the profession of landscape architecture to the amazing kids of Christel House Academy this week. Hard to compete with firefighters and a DJ for career options among middle-schoolers, but these kids were super curious, an admirable quality for our profession. Pair this with the diversity of shining faces we saw there and our future looks bright!
#hitchcockcareers #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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