RDG Receieves Multiple ASLA Iowa Awards
RDG Planning & Design has been honored for outstanding contributions to landscape architecture with designs that positively impact communities and improve quality of life.
The Iowa Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA Iowa) has recognized RDG Planning & Design with multiple 2019 ASLA Iowa Awards. These awards bring recognition to organizations and individuals who demonstrate superior skills in the practice of landscape architecture.
The two projects recognized include Grinnell Central Park in Grinnell, Iowa (Design-Built Award), and the Chaplain Schmitt Island Placemaking and Implementation Plan in Dubuque, Iowa (Planning & Analysis Award). These projects represent community-centric integrations of the built environment that connect people to past and future through an inclusive design process.
The revitalization of Grinnell’s Central Park was a collaborative process between RDG and the city of Grinnell, beginning with the development of a master plan that addressed a complete renovation of the oldest and most historic park in the community. A 3.8-acre parcel, gifted to the city by J.B. Grinnell in the late 1800s, Central Park has provided generations of citizens with a civic venue for festivals, concerts, community events and family gatherings. Park improvements capitalize on the rich cultural history of Grinnell and reinforce the spirit and emotion the park has come to embody. Following an impressive public-private fundraising campaign, the redesigned park allows Grinnell’s downtown to once again become the heart of the community.
RDG’s work for the Chaplain Schmitt Island Placemaking and Implementation Plan improves the overall riverfront of the island, enhances the overall experience on the island, increases foot traffic and creates a sense of place that celebrates the values of the community and region. Working with the Dubuque Racing Association and its Island Task Force, RDG led a four-month planning process that reviewed the existing master plan, received feedback from the task force, developed site-specific concepts, coordinated with regulating authorities and developed an overall promotional document for improvements.