by Matt Corrion
After several years of planning and public input, this week the United States Department of Interior Secretary Ken Salazar and the National Park Service Director Jon Jarvis announced an agreement on a final plan to revitalize the National Mall. The final plan was developed after four years of input from the public, the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA), and other stakeholders.
According to the article released by ASLA (ASLA Advocacy Network), “the plan seeks to accomplish a number of objectives, including improving resources, public access, visitor amenities and monument preservation.”
Here are more excerpts from the article:
Some of the high priority projects include: improving the design and redevelopment of Union Square in front of the Ulysses S. Grant Memorial; replacing the Capitol Reflecting Pool with a smaller pool or fountain that could also be used as a gathering place to ease strain on the nearby trees and grass; rebuilding the Tidal Basin seawalls; creating a multi-purpose visitor center; and building more restrooms.
The plan also calls for improved sustainability through water conservation and tree restoration. In particular, the reflecting pools at the Lincoln Memorial and the Capitol will get circulating water systems that will filter and recycle water. The gravel and aging walkways would be replaced with sustainable, low maintenance paving materials and the iconic Elm trees would be restored along with improved monitoring of all vegetation and soils.
This is the official blog of Outdoor Design Group, Colorado Landscape Architects. For more information about our business and our services, click here.
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by Matt Corrion
The interesting seed pods of the Golden Rain Tree appear like hanging paper lanterns. They start out a golden yellow in late summer, and fade to shades of red and brown through the fall.
This is the official blog of Outdoor Design Group, Colorado Landscape Architects. For more information about our business and our services, click here.
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by Matt Corrion
Thanks to Barbara Landrith at CLCA for sharing this great article (M2 Equitybites), excerpts from which follow:
Water and wastewater services provider California American Water, a subsidiary of American Water, stated on Thursday that the company and the Monterey Peninsula Water Management District will be offering more rebates for installation of water-saving appliances and water-wise landscaping, commencing this month.
Residents can earn rebates for removing lawn and replacing it with low water use plants, permeable surfaces or synthetic turf. This programme now offers $1.25 per square foot of lawn removed and replaced with low water use plants or permeable surfaces up to 5,000 square feet (an increase from 2,000 square feet). Lawn replaced with synthetic turf qualifies for an additional rebate of $2.00 per square foot up to 2,000 square feet, bringing the maximum rebate amount to more than $10,000.
My Thoughts: Those are pretty substantial rebates. The amounts available are higher than I have seen in the past, and would be more than enough incentive for homeowners to consider renovating their landscaping to save water.
Unfortunately, the only landscape related rebates mentioned for commercial businesses are for graywater irrigation systems. While I applaud those efforts, a much greater opportunity for water savings for commercial properties is in offering substantial rebates to replace high water-use landscaping with more water-wise landscaping.
This is the official blog of Outdoor Design Group, Colorado Landscape Architects. For more information about our business and our services, click here.
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by Matt Corrion
Converting an outdated landscape into landscaping that uses less water is not as hard as you might think. And there are many benefits!
One of the best ways to do this is to convert your high water-use landscaping into a Xeriscape (pronounced “zeer-escape”). This can be done anywhere- from a small home landscape, to a large commercial property.
Many people have an image of Xeriscape as a “sea of rocks, with a few cactus plants”. But Xeriscape can also be a lush, green and colorful landscape that is interwoven with flowering plants, textures, and beauty throughout each season. In my opinion it is much more beautiful and interesting than “traditional” landscaping.
The Top 10 Benefits Are:
10. Less Maintenance
9. Use Less Water & Better for the Environment
8. Prevent Water Damage
7. More Beautiful, Colorful & Unique
6. Better Wildlife Habitat
5. Less Fertilizers & Pesticides Needed
4. Better Suited to Your Site’s Unique Conditions
3. More Winter Beauty
2. Better Prepared for Drought
1. Saves You Money
Now I will discuss each benefit in greater detail and explain what each one can mean for you:
(more…)
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by Matt Corrion
I was recently discussing a project with a client and they were unaware that we had the capability to do photo simulations showing what a proposed project would look like. This can be a valuable tool for visualizing a design, as well as being useful to show planning commissions, city councils, and the public what the impact of a new project or site renovation will be.
Below are two examples of “quick and dirty” photo simulations that we recently completed on fast turnaround schedules. We also have the capability in our office to do larger and much more detailed and elaborate simulations, as well as 3D graphics through a talented outside consultant. If you are looking for an effective way to communicate your design concept this may be a great solution- just give us a call!
This is the official blog of Outdoor Design Group, Colorado Landscape Architects. For more information about our business and our services, click here.
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