Purgatory Creek Soils Assessment: Balancing Hydrology, Ecology, and Soil Management

/

The Purgatory Creek Soils Assessment in San Marcos, Texas, was part of a larger flood mitigation and ecosystem restoration effort led by Lockwood, Andrews & Newnam, Inc. (LAN). The project sought to transform the Purgatory Creek corridor into both an improved flood channel and a revitalized public amenity, complete with a multi-use trail that would connect residents and visitors to nature. JBC was brought on board to provide soils expertise, assessing existing conditions and developing a plan to amend and manage soils throughout the lengthy creek corridor to support new plant communities.

JBC’s scope centered on evaluating the site’s native soils, determining their structure, composition, and suitability for reuse. The team then identified strategies to improve soil function both hydraulically and ecologically, ensuring it could withstand regular flooding while fostering robust plant growth. These soils would ultimately serve as the foundation for the restored creek corridor, designed to perform as both a resilient floodplain and a vibrant ecological and social landscape.

Photo credit: William L. Farr

One of the project’s major challenges was the site’s scale and complexity. The 15.2 acre creek corridor experienced frequent flooding, and portions were slated for widening to accommodate greater stormwater volume. This required careful choreography during construction, mapping where soils could be stripped, stockpiled, amended, and then redistributed efficiently across the site. JBC’s detailed recommendations helped guide this process, providing a clear roadmap for both designers and contractors.

Through this collaboration and assessment report, the project team established a stronger foundation for the success of the future landscape. JBC’s technical expertise in soil science ensured the design could balance hydrologic function with ecological health, turning a flood-prone corridor into a resilient, thriving space for both people and nature.

Photo credit: William L. Farr

The Kansas City Zoo Elephant Exhibit: How JBC Optimized Views, Circulation, and Soils for an Enhanced Visitor Experience

/

The Kansas City Zoo Elephant Exhibit project focused on creating an engaging landscape for visitors while enhancing habitat quality and preserving the site’s valuable heritage trees. JBC contributed to landscape design for spectator circulation and social gathering areas, providing pavement layouts, soils, irrigation, and site amenities. The design emphasized optimal viewpoints and vantage points, allowing visitors to experience the exhibit while maintaining a safe yet enjoyable separation from the elephants.

JBC collaborated closely with PGAV Architects, the primary architectural firm, and SK Design Group, Inc., who handled civil engineering. JBC's design process included early visualizations and animations to help guide design decisions and communicate the experience of the space before development of construction drawings. Circulation patterns for both pedestrians and the tram system were carefully planned to maximize efficiency, comfort, and safety while enhancing the social gathering areas overlooking the exhibit.

One critical aspect of the project was soil design. A unique challenge involved incorporating elephant manure as an organic amendment in the soil mix, balancing nutrient content to support plant health without risking nitrogen burn. Repeated soil testing ensured the proper recipe, resulting in thriving plants and earlier establishment than anticipated. JBC also conducted a tree preservation study to protect heritage trees and developed a low-maintenance native plant palette that would serve as both a foreground and a buffer for visitors.

Construction coordination was another challenge, as the zoo remained open throughout the process. JBC worked with the project team to design temporary circulation paths and ensure visitor safety while maintaining construction efficiency. The exhibit’s vantage points, pedestrian circulation, and social gathering areas received overwhelmingly positive feedback from visitors, enhancing the overall zoo experience.

By combining innovative soils design, low-maintenance planting strategies, and thoughtfully engineered circulation patterns, the project successfully integrated visitor experience with sustainable landscape practices. The Kansas City Zoo Elephant Exhibit stands as a model for how technical expertise and creative design can enhance both ecological and social outcomes within a public space.

JBC Landscape Architects Celebrates Two ASLA Awards

/

We’re thrilled to share that JBC Landscape Architects recently received two awards from the Prairie Gateway Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects (PGASLA)! These honors recognize projects that strengthen communities, connect people with nature, and showcase the impact of thoughtful landscape architecture.

Merit Award: Barrett Boesen Park and Natural Playscape

The Barrett Boesen Park and Natural Playscape in Urbandale, Iowa, earned a Merit Award. This park transforms public space into an interactive, educational, and inclusive playscape. By blending natural materials with creative play features, children and families can explore, learn, and connect with nature in a safe and engaging environment. It’s a great example of award-winning park design that encourages curiosity, play, and community interaction.

Honor Award: Marion Urban Reforestation Plan

Our Marion Urban Reforestation Plan received an Honor Award, celebrating its role in expanding Marion’s tree canopy. This project enhances the city’s green infrastructure, supports environmental resilience, and creates welcoming public spaces for residents. By thoughtfully planning urban forests, we’re able to balance ecological benefits with community needs, creating spaces that are sustainable, engaging, and accessible.

Celebrating Design, Community, and Collaboration

These awards reflect the dedication, creativity, and collaboration of our team, as well as the vision of our project partners and clients. From sustainable urban reforestation to inclusive community parks, these projects highlight how landscape architecture can shape meaningful, resilient, and inspiring public spaces.

JBC's David Stokes accepted the award presented by ASLA Prairie Gateway Chapter President Celine Armstrong. We’re proud to see our work recognized and continue to create projects that enhance communities and bring people closer to the natural world.

Want to learn more about JBC’s projects or explore collaboration opportunities?

Contact us here!

Steeple Square: Transforming a Historic Church Site into a Community Green Space

/

The Steeple Square project in Dubuque, Iowa, represents a transformative effort to bring new life and purpose to a historic property while serving the surrounding community. The project centers on the former St. Mary’s Church, which was decommissioned and renovated by Gronen Restoration into a vibrant community event center. JBC, serving as lead landscape architect and designer, was tasked with creating an outdoor environment that not only complemented the event center, but also provided much-needed green space and recreational opportunities for an underserved neighborhood.

What made the project especially distinctive was JBC’s role throughout the entire process, from master planning and schematic design through construction documents and administration. A central challenge involved working with the City of Dubuque to vacate an adjacent alley so the site could expand into a functional public park. That process required extensive coordination over five years, involving multiple city departments and careful documentation. The result was the creation of a safe and accessible open space that extends the community event center into the outdoors while offering lasting benefits for residents.

The design integrated stormwater management solutions that balanced community needs with environmental responsibility. Because additional impervious surfaces were introduced as part of the development, JBC incorporated underground stormwater detention chambers, as well as surface bioretention cells, to slow runoff, reduce volume, and promote infiltration. These systems enhanced both the ecological performance of the site and its long-term resilience.

Engaging the neighborhood was another critical aspect of the project. JBC hosted public meetings where community opinion was initially divided, but through dialogue, design revisions, and persistence, the project gained strong support. Today, the park is well-received and actively used, reflecting its success as a community asset. Beyond the open space and event lawn, JBC also designed an age-appropriate playground for the childcare center housed in the former rectory, further extending the site’s value to local families.

The Steeple Square project has been widely recognized for its contribution to preservation and community revitalization, earning the 2024 State of Iowa Margaret Keys Historic Preservation Award. By transforming an underutilized property into a thriving public resource, the project demonstrates the power of design to honor history while creating new opportunities for connection, recreation, and resilience.

From Parking Lot to Park: JBC's Role in West End Square’s Transformation

/

IMAGE COURTESY OF JAMES CORNER FIELD OPERATIONS

West End Square is a transformative urban park developed by the Downtown Dallas Parks Conservancy and designed by James Corner Field Operations, with JBC serving as a key subconsultant for irrigation, soils, and subdrainage design. Formerly a surface parking lot, the site is now the only neighborhood park in Dallas’s West End Historic District—an inviting green space nestled within a dense urban fabric. The park was envisioned as a much-needed oasis in the heart of the city, blending technology, sustainability, and thoughtful design.

IMAGE COURTESY OF JAMES CORNER FIELD OPERATIONS

JBC played a vital role in ensuring the long-term success of the landscape by developing soil systems and irrigation strategies suited to the challenges of an intense urban environment. The compact site presented significant design and construction constraints, with dense utility networks, limited subsurface depth, and a nearly flat grade. To overcome these obstacles, JBC crafted a soil design that maximized root volume under paved surfaces while carefully avoiding underground utilities. The team also designed a subdrainage system with precise grading to ensure reliable flow to existing storm infrastructure, despite the minimal slope available.

IMAGE COURTESY OF JAMES CORNER FIELD OPERATIONS

One of the most critical successes of the project was the inclusion of a robust irrigation system—an often-overlooked feature in public spaces. Given Dallas’s hot, dry climate and the added heat stress of the urban context, this investment was essential to supporting a thriving landscape. JBC’s irrigation design ensures that the diverse plantings and urban canopy have the water they need to grow and endure.

IMAGE COURTESY OF JAMES CORNER FIELD OPERATIONS

West End Square is now a welcoming public space that serves the surrounding neighborhood and downtown Dallas community. The completed park offers much-needed green space, seating, and shade in the West End Historic District, supporting both daily use and programmed activities. It reflects the successful coordination of design and engineering in a complex urban setting.

IMAGES COURTESY OF JAMES CORNER FIELD OPERATIONS

Sustainable Solutions for a Historic Landscape: The Farrand House Project at Dumbarton Oaks

/

IMAGE COURTESY OF REED HILDERBRAND

At the Dumbarton Oaks Farrand House project in Washington, D.C., JBC collaborated closely with Reed Hilderbrand and Selldorf Architects to provide integrated design for irrigation, soils, and subdrainage systems. This work supported the renovation of the historic greenhouse area and its transformation into an educational outreach center. JBC’s role was foundational in ensuring the site’s landscape systems functioned sustainably and efficiently, both above and below ground.

IMAGE COURTESY OF REED HILDERBRAND

Given the property’s historic significance, JBC employed low-impact strategies that met modern performance standards while respecting the legacy of the historic site. One of the key challenges was the limited water pressure available for irrigation. JBC responded with a carefully calibrated system using low-volume, low-pressure-rated equipment to provide adequate coverage without overtaxing the infrastructure. The team also worked within an exceptionally tight footprint, where space for utilities, planting, and circulation was at a premium.

IMAGE COURTESY OF REED HILDERBRAND

JBC’s soil and subdrainage solutions were designed to optimize fertility and drainage, promoting long-term health and resilience of the landscape. One of the most significant accomplishments was fitting substantial soil volumes into the constrained entry walkway to support growth of new overstory trees. This attention to detail and technical precision will have a lasting impact on the overall health of the landscape and visitor experience of the site.

IMAGE COURTESY OF REED HILDERBRAND

By integrating green infrastructure into a complex historic setting, JBC helped shape a landscape that is as sustainable as it is functional. The result supports the Dumbarton Oaks mission of education and stewardship by enhancing the landscape while establishing new spaces for learning, art, and innovation.

How Harwood Park Brings Green Space and Stormwater Solutions to the East Quarter

/

Nestled in the heart of downtown Dallas, Harwood Park reclaims nearly four acres of the city’s East Quarter with a dynamic blend of green infrastructure, public gathering spaces, and custom-designed play areas. JBC supported Ten Eyck Landscape Architects as a subconsultant on this transformative urban park, providing specialized soils and irrigation design services.

IMAGE COURTESY OF TEN EYCK LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS

The park features an expansive children’s playground, two dog parks, a flexible lawn for events, and a variety of ornamental planting spaces—all thoughtfully arranged to offer both grand public areas and quieter, more intimate corners. Running through the center of the park is a green infrastructure corridor designed to manage stormwater from the surrounding hardscape, showcasing sustainable design in action.

IMAGE COURTESY OF TEN EYCK LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS

JBC’s contributions included the design and integration of high-performance soils and irrigation systems throughout the site. Extensive use of soil cells in both street tree plantings and interior park spaces supported healthy root development in an otherwise challenging urban environment. Permanent irrigation systems were carefully tailored for long-term maintenance and plant vitality.

IMAGE COURTESY OF TEN EYCK LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS

The project also integrated reclaimed architectural materials from former on-site buildings, honoring the area’s history while enhancing its contemporary character.

IMAGES COURTESY OF TEN EYCK LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS

With a complex, phased construction timeline and a confined downtown footprint, Harwood Park required close coordination and flexibility from all team members. JBC’s technical expertise helped ensure that the park's trees, plants, and green infrastructure will thrive for years to come.

Balancing Preservation with Landscape Performance: JBC's Work at Terrace Hill

/

JBC served as the lead landscape architect and consultant for the Terrace Hill Erosion Control project, addressing significant stormwater and erosion issues on the grounds of the historic Governor’s mansion in Des Moines. Working with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) to establish key stormwater management parameters, JBC developed a site-sensitive design that resolved active erosion problems while maintaining the historic integrity of this high-profile property.

Prior to the project, uncontrolled stormwater from downspout leaders was flowing freely across the landscape, creating visible erosion and degrading the site. JBC designed two bioretention basins (rain gardens) to capture and infiltrate this runoff, allowing water to filter into the ground while reducing the volume and velocity of flow across the property. These basins were carefully sized in coordination with IDNR to ensure proper function based on the watershed area and typical storm events.

To manage larger storm events, JBC included an overflow system that connects to the site’s existing stormwater infrastructure. A series of weir walls within the rain garden areas act as check dams and create a mini "treatment train” that slows, filters, and detains stormwater, turning a formerly problematic zone into a functional landscape feature that supports water quality.

Designing within a historic site required a careful and respectful approach. JBC strategically located BMP stormwater features to preserve key viewsheds and avoid disrupting the character-defining features of the estate. Existing infrastructure posed additional challenges due to its age and limited documentation, but thoughtful coordination and innovative design by the JBC team helped overcome those constraints.

The project proved its success quickly. JBC observed the first rainfall after installation and confirmed that the new systems performed as intended, mitigating erosion and managing flow. The Terrace Hill erosion control project is a strong example of how sensitive design solutions can address modern environmental challenges while respecting the context of historically significant landscapes.

Longwood Reimagined: JBC's Role in Designing Custom Soil Profiles

/

The Longwood Reimagined project represents an exciting new chapter in the evolution of one of America’s most celebrated public gardens. As part of the design team led by Reed Hilderbrand, JBC was tasked with soils design for both the interior conservatory and the surrounding exterior landscapes. Our work focused on crafting specialized soil profiles to support a wide variety of planting environments ranging from curated garden beds and a native meadow to areas of high-performance turf.

JBC’s scope included both technical design and collaborative consultation, ensuring the selected soils would meet the horticultural needs of the site while also aligning with the aesthetic and ecological vision of the project. Each soil blend was carefully designed to optimize plant health, support biodiversity, and perform well under Longwood's maintenance schedule. This attention to detail was critical, especially in the conservatory, where plantings required an entirely custom mix to thrive in the interior climate conditions.

What truly set this project apart was the collaboration between JBC, Reed Hilderbrand, and Longwood Gardens’ own horticulture department. Known for its top-tier staff and resources, the Longwood team brought deep institutional knowledge to the table, resulting in a dynamic partnership and a cooperative atmosphere. For JBC, it marked the first time we partnered directly with a horticulture department, resulting in an exciting and rewarding experience that expanded the scope of our expertise.

To highlight the transformation, we’re sharing a series of before-and-after images, comparing construction progress in 2023 with the completed gardens in 2025. These visuals showcase the dramatic impact of the project, both indoors and out.

Opened to the public in late 2024, Longwood Reimagined offers visitors an immersive experience that pairs world-class design with horticultural excellence. From the expansive meadow views to the lush plantings within the conservatory, every element has been carefully engineered to flourish, both above and below the surface. JBC is proud to have played a role in shaping this iconic transformation.

Designed for Learning: JBC’s Role in the Indianola High School Renovation

/

The Indianola High School Renovation project was a comprehensive update to both the architecture and site design of the school campus. Collaborating with Invision Architecture and Larson Engineering for the Indianola School District, JBC served as the landscape architectural consultant for the project, focusing on site landscape and hardscape design, courtyard layout, circulation improvements, and native planting strategies with a focus on stormwater management and BMP areas.

JBC’s design work centered on creating a more welcoming and functional experience for students, staff, and visitors. At the building’s front entry, JBC enhanced the arrival sequence with an updated plaza design that balances vehicular and pedestrian circulation during busy drop-off and pick-up times. Despite the site’s predominantly flat topography, JBC introduced subtle rolling berms and layered plantings to add dimension and visual interest to the landscape.

A key feature of the project was the design of a new courtyard that doubles as an outdoor classroom. This space provides opportunities for informal gathering, learning, and quiet retreat within the heart of the school campus. JBC selected plant materials, including native species, that support biodiversity and bring visual interest to the site.

In the back of the school, JBC reconfigured the layout of athletic and sport courts, improving spatial efficiency and optimizing court orientation. These changes enhance usability while maximizing the available footprint. Throughout the site, JBC worked carefully around existing infrastructure, thoughtfully siting walkways and circulation routes to connect new and existing entrances despite space constraints and complex utility networks.

The result is a more cohesive and functional campus that reflects the school’s investment in both education and environment. JBC’s site design plays an integral role in shaping the daily experience of students and visitors, supporting both the practical needs and long-term goals of the school district.

With construction currently underway, we look forward to sharing more photos here on the blog once the exterior improvements are finalized in Fall 2025.

Collaboration in Design: JBC’s Role in WashU’s East End Transformation

/

JBC played a key technical role in the East End Transformation of Washington University’s Danforth Campus, resulting in an ambitious redevelopment that replaced six acres of surface parking with a vibrant, pedestrian-friendly landscape. This transformative project introduced five new campus buildings, a below-grade parking garage, and a thoughtfully designed public realm that now welcomes visitors with green space, gathering areas, circulation paths, and a sense of arrival onto campus.

JBC collaborated closely with Michael Vergason Landscape Architects, Arbolope Studio, and KieranTimberlake to design and coordinate site-wide irrigation, landscape subdrainage, and engineered soil systems. The complexity of the project required precision as irrigation and soils transitioned across five new buildings and over an underground garage, where soil weights and structural profiles had to be carefully managed. The JBC team successfully navigated a broad spectrum of soil conditions, supply-related material changes, integration with existing irrigation systems, and turf fire lanes, all while preserving the integrity of the landscape design.

The result is a lush and inviting landscape that has redefined the eastern edge of the WashU campus. With strong early performance from the plantings, including rapid growth of smaller-caliper trees, this new campus entry is already thriving. “The transformation at the East End is a project I always look forward to visiting,” said Spencer Sneller, Senior Project Manager at JBC. “WashU is a beautiful campus, and MVLA’s planting design continues to evolve and mature.”

Revitalizing City Ridge in Washington, D.C.: JBC's Expertise in Green Infrastructure at Work

/

Located in Washington, D.C., City Ridge reimagines the historic Fannie Mae headquarters, transforming it into a dynamic, mixed-use development. With a thoughtful blend of preserved architecture and modern design, the development spans more than nine acres of vibrant green roofs, terraces, and public spaces, all integrated above a network of underground parking and complex infrastructure.

JBC played a key role in bringing City Ridge's landscape vision to life. Our team provided comprehensive site-wide design services for irrigation, soils, and drainage, supporting everything from structural soils beneath paved surfaces to the complex needs of elevated green roof environments.

The scope was as diverse as the site itself. We managed soil specifications across multiple types of soils, including structural, planting, turf, green roof, and bioretention, along with custom blends for street trees and heritage plantings. Working in close collaboration with Michael Vergason Landscape Architects, ParkerRodriguez, and Shalom Baranes Associates, as well as structural, civil, and MEP engineers, we ensured every design detail was aligned to support both aesthetics and long-term plant health.

Coordinating across nine distinct buildings with varying site conditions, JBC approached the challenge of irrigation layout, stub-out locations, and conduit routing with precision.

Across the project, our integrated approach resulted in a resilient and cohesive landscape system that not only meets rigorous performance standards but also enhances the design and overall experience of this urban space.

JBC Receives ASLA Central States Honor Award for the Marion Urban Reforestation Plan

/

We’re thrilled to share that JBC Landscape Architects recently received an Honor Award from the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) Central States for our work on the Marion Urban Reforestation Plan.

Completed in 2024, this project is especially meaningful because it highlights not only the complexity of planning wtih the urban forest in mind, but also the impact the project will have on the community and the environment for decades to come.

A Plan Rooted in Resilience

After a 2020 derecho swept through Marion, Iowa, wiping out over 1/3 of the city’s existing tree canopy, the city faced a massive environmental and community challenge. JBC was honored to partner with the City of Marion to work on a long-term, community-driven vision to restore and reimagine the urban forest.

The award-winning plan takes a structured, data-driven approach to increase canopy cover to 35% by 2055. It’s packed with sustainable strategies, from selecting native and climate-resilient species to updating city policies and encouraging public-private partnerships. The study divided the city into six unique areas to ensure solutions that work in practice, not just on paper.

But what makes this plan truly special is how it integrates science, policy, and community — working together to turn a natural disaster into an opportunity for growth.

Celebrating the Team

JBC's David Stokes accepted the award alongside Marion’s City Arborist, Mike Cimprich. The award was presented by ASLA Prairie Gateway Chapter President Celine Armstrong. The team at JBC is incredibly grateful to be recognized among such inspiring peers in landscape architecture at the 2025 Central States ASLA Conference.

Want More Details?

If you’re curious about the nitty-gritty — like how stormwater management, advanced GIS mapping, or tree species resilient to climate extremes were incorporated into the plan — check out JBC's previous blog post called Miracle in Marion: Marion Reforestation Plan. It offers a sense of the kind of community-centered work the JBC team is passionate about.

This Honor Award celebrates how landscape architecture has the power to not just respond to disasters, but how it can also help communities imagine better futures.

Miracle in Marion: Marion Reforestation Plan

/

August, 2020 the heart of the midwest was left in devastation. Derecho winds with velocities exceeding 100 mph had roared through towns, moved buildings, flattened crops, and ripped down thousands of acres of trees. In response to the destruction, the central Iowa town of Marion reached out for help to take inventory of their loss and provide a path toward reforestation.  JBC answered the call.

The Marion Reforestation Plan is the result of an 18 month engagement process working with the Marion Reforestation Steering Committee and reaching out to the public.  From the start, the community’s values drove the plan recommendations. Steering Committee members set the goals for reforestation, objectives for the plan process, and priorities of types of places in the community to be replanted.

David Stokes, JBC Owner and Managing Principal recalls, "About 6 months into the project the Steering committee was very vocal about setting the groundwork, using very focused and succinct goals as a foundation from which the plan was built. The committee wanted to make sure the plan: (1) is inclusive of the entire community and participatory in the development of the plan; (2) works toward increasing the City's overall tree canopy cover; (3) provides education, training and guidance of reforestation principles; (4) provides recommendations for tree species diversity; (5) identifies replanting of the proper trees in the proper locations; (6) addresses the removal and cleanup of remaining storm-damaged trees and those associated areas; (7) identifies manageable phasing, timelines, budgets, and incrementally measuring success of implementation of the plan; and (8) addresses accessibility and equality throughout.”

“Great leadership combined with telling the humbling and honest human-centric story of tragedy will transition the community from the disaster recovery phase to the community rebuilding phase. We couldn't be more proud of how the Steering committee and the City (and its Forestry Division and Parks & Recreation Department) has advocated for the plan on behalf of all of its residents, carrying forward its message of plan benefits and positivity. They will be the true, long-term champions of this plan," Stokes added.

Recognized as a Tree City USA, in addition to the loss of trees, Marion experienced a loss of identity and spirit. During an outreach event, a participant shared how they had enjoyed walking on Marion’s trails and “you could get lost in nature and to see it all gone is heartbreaking.”  Through the open house and online survey, recurring themes were clear.  Residents are extremely supportive of reforestation and want back their sense of tree covered lanes, they appreciate what the City of Marion has already done to care for their forest, and they value what trees do for Marion’s beauty and livability. The responses were also emphatic that the right kind of trees need to be planted in the right places. JBC brought these ideas of place making, function-oriented plantings, and identifying priority places with the right conditions into the analysis and planning process.

Analysis of tree loss took a two-pronged approach, surveying firsthand the state of trees along key transportation corridors, and second evaluating the entire urban forest through computer imagery analysis.  The survey was conducted feet-on-the-ground, or as in Landscape Designer Emma Lorenz’s case, tires on the trail.  Lorenz rode streets and trails around the city and shares, “It was a really fun and yet humbling experience to ride around the City of Marion and inventory their trees. Having grown up in the community and having experienced the derecho firsthand, it was very powerful to ride around as a pedestrian and see the canopy loss - both in remembering trees that were no longer there and seeing storm damaged trees that still needed to be brought down. The experience served as a great motivation to put together a well-thought-out plan to help Marion start to rebuild their canopy.”

Evaluating the urban forest loss and current conditions from aerial imagery required a multi-method analysis which resulted in an estimation of over 35% relative loss of their tree canopy from 2019 to 2021. The method allowed JBC to see which portions of the community were most impacted.  In the words of Landscape Designer Joseph Jennings, “There was something incredibly satisfying about superimposing maps from our aerial imagery assessment. It allowed us to pinpoint areas with opportunities for design implementations. Designers can then clearly explain why certain design choices are made, highlighting both form and function. It makes a significant impact in the client's eyes and reassures them that funding is being strategically allocated across the community in a meaningful way.”

The City of Marion Reforestation Plan lays out the path Marion sought with recommended planting phases, references to resource and ordinance best practices, and pages of supporting analyses and graphic strategies.  Phasing included flexibility to match planting schedules to the pace of resource availability and resident engagement.  In presenting the plan to Marion City Council, Mike Cimprich shared, “the plan is a guide and tool to Tree Board and City Staff to prioritize reforestation in Marion over the next ten years…I think we’re on the right path and I think this plan will get us there.”

Residents’ concerns about the right tree in the right place were addressed head on in the graphic strategies and tree atlas, so specific tree cultivars could be matched to the situation of the landscape, be it municipal or private.  Each strategy was crafted to help the community gain a vision of how Marion can look, when reforested.

Stokes and Cimprich presented the City of Marion Reforestation Plan at Marion City Council meeting, September 19, 2024, and Marion City Council unanimously approved the plan.  Marion’s urban forest has a roadmap for growth and JBC is honored to have been part of the process.

Project Spotlight: Metropolitan Park in Arlington, VA

/

Earlier this summer, after several years of intense construction, Arlington, Virginia officially welcomed the public and new employees to Metropolitan Park and the adjacent Amazon office building towers. This marked the completion of the first phase of Amazon’s HQ2 at the National Landing where JBC worked with James Corner Field Operations (JCFO) on the building terraces, park, and adjacent streetscape renovations. Read on to find out more about the park, JBC’s involvement in the construction process, and the nuanced design of the soils, subdrainage, and irrigation systems provided by JBC on this exciting project.

While the terraces are for employees only, the park can be enjoyed by all. The public can use the playground and the open lawn, or meander on the park paths while enjoying the diverse tree and planting palette envisioned by JCFO. At an overlook there are views of the park, the at-grade dog runs, and a few of the building terraces.

While visitors will experience the fantastic park and building amenities, there is so much more to the project below the surface. JBC was involved early on in the park’s design phase to help figure out how the new park could safely be layered on top of both existing and new underground parking garages. With a revamped park to be installed above, we worked with the design team to provide a layered soil profile. These different layers considered the drainage as water moved down through the profile, accommodated the structural limits of the garages below and provided an agronomically-viable soil mix to ensure sustainable and healthy plant growth. In addition, the JBC-designed irrigation system utilizing reclaimed building water as its primary water source also helps support the terrace and park landscapes.

Throughout the project’s construction, JBC visited the site to review progress and check in with those working on site. When an issue arose, such as a previously unknown site condition, unclear construction document, or unacceptable installation, the team worked together collaboratively to determine the best path forward. Different areas of the project were continually being worked on simultaneously, making timely clear communication an absolute necessity.

The project’s success was achieved through the efforts of so many groups of people including construction workers, the client, the county, and the design team. We’re happy to say that the end result of years of work and collaboration is already being enjoyed by many as the park plays host to community events, exercise classes, and a weekly farmers market.

The Met Park and Amazon HQ2 project presented plenty of challenging opportunities for innovative design solutions, and the talented team at JCFO provided excellent leadership throughout the project. While JBC worked on just a few pieces of a very large puzzle, we are grateful for our involvement and happy to share our expertise in soil design, subdrainage design, and irrigation design on this outstanding project.

Project Spotlight: Barrett Boesen Park and Nature Playscape

/

Completed in Summer 2022, this 3-acre park and nature playscape was developed by the City of Urbandale in partnership with the Barrett Boesen Foundation, a local non-profit dedicated to enriching and improving the lives of children in the local community and providing the next generation the opportunity to learn about and enjoy nature.

The project recently received a Merit Award in the Park, Recreation and Open Space category at the Central States Conference of the American Society of Landscape Architects. Read on for an in-depth look at the design of this park and nature playground! 

 

Nature Playground Design Project Background

JBC’s team was tasked with designing a comprehensive, phased master plan for the park and nature play area. This involved incorporating the existing features of the undeveloped space and using natural materials to create a destination park that would elevate nature play in the Des Moines Metro area.

Phase I of the project includes site circulation, creek access, loose parts play, and brings the large main nature play area to life along with the parking lot, shelter and restroom building. The nature play area includes climbing logs, a rock climbing cave, mud kitchens, a sand play area with rock bubbler, water pump and dry creek bed, fort building platforms, and balance logs and rocks. Future phases include an outdoor classroom, natural splash ground, bird's nest play areas, ropes course, and additional play structures.

 

What makes good nature playground design?

The park was designed to create pockets of play that continually change and keep kids curious about what’s next, extending their play time. It was also imperative to design a space that is convenient for caregivers, incorporating a restroom and shelter, shade, easy visual and mobility access, and places to rest while kids are playing.

Research (and common sense!) has shown that the longer parents want to stay, the longer children get to play. In the case of Barrett Park, the longer children play, they more they increase their opportunity to connect with the natural environment, stretch their creativity, practice social skills, and reap the many benefits of being outdoors.

 

Why Nature Play?

Because of what the author Richard Louv calls “nature-deficit disorder,” there is a very real concern that if children grow up to be less connected to the environment, there will be little reason for them to be concerned with sustainability and conservation of our planet. Addressing climate change cannot wait, and it is vital that, through nature play, children have every opportunity to fall in love with the natural world and become the next generation of advocates.

Projects like the Barrett Boesen Park and Natural Playscape have an important role in meeting these objectives, specifically through nature play and connecting all children with nature. This play space creates opportunities for children and their parents to develop increased appreciation for the natural world and what it can do for humankind.

At Barrett Boesen Park, children can appreciate nature through water quality, native plants and trees, insects and animals, seeing the life cycle in action, and learning how natural materials are made, beginning a lifelong journey of dedication to the natural world.

 

Community Engagement Informs the Park Master Plan

The public was also involved in the initial design phase of the nature playscape. An online survey, designed and administered by JBC, received over 1,300 respondents representing 2,550 children. The public shared preferred access modes, prioritized playground features along with their specific desired characteristics, familiarity with nature play, and demographics. The survey also left a blank space to invite further comments from citizens. Multiple respondents ranked accessibility and inclusivity as highly important. The popularity of the park shows that the design team listened, heard, and executed on what users of the park wanted to see. 

 

Specialized Design Features for Inclusive Nature Play

While accessibility and inclusivity were identified as important elements in the online public engagement survey, there are no specific inclusive design standards for nature play. To combat this, JBC adapted standard playground inclusivity standards to the natural elements used on site to ensure accessibility and inclusivity of Barrett Boesen Park’s nature play features.

Inclusive, accessible play was incorporated into the project in the following ways:

  • All concrete pathways meet ADA accessibility standards. Engineered wood fiber is used throughout to maintain access to all play elements.

  • The playground includes a mix of play opportunities: open space for spontaneous play, climbing equipment, quiet areas, hands-on loose parts tactile play, and elements that encourage social interaction.

  • Accessibility of play elements and the importance of allowing children of all abilities to play together in the same space was strongly considered during the design process, and intergenerational play opportunities were also incorporated.

    • Transfer stones for wheelchair users to access the sand pit play area, climbing cave, and the creek play area alongside their peers.

    • Water troughs and the water pump as well as elevated play tables in the loose parts area are situated to provide easy access for a person in a wheelchair as they play alongside children of all abilities.

  • Barrett Park encourages sensory exploration in nature. The loose parts play area includes different tactile materials to engage with, water and sand play allow children to immerse themselves in the sounds and feel of the materials, and adjacency to a stream with existing trees, vegetation, and animals offers a variety of stimuli.

  • Quieter spaces at the stone ring and creek areas are separated from the busier, more active climbing and water play areas.

  • The natural “bowl” shape of the site, along with surrounding vegetation, creates a visual barrier to reduce instances of children wandering away.

 

All in all, the Barrett Boesen Park and Natural Playscape brought a new destination nature playground to the City of Urbandale where children and families connect with nature through play. JBC is proud to share this award-winning and in-depth look at the design process for this nature playground created for the City of Urbandale, Iowa.

 

Future Nature Play Projects

While JBC has offices in Kansas City and Des Moines, we consistently work on projects all over the country. Does your community have a nature play project in the works? Let us know how we can help by contacting us today!

 

Irrigation Designed to Last

/

Here in the Midwest, we’ve had our first preview of summer heat and it looks like our region is settling in for a very dry first half of the summer. Irrigation systems are up and running, although getting them operational has proven to be a challenge for a couple of locations that JBC is familiar with. These systems weren’t designed by JBC, so it gives us an opportunity to compare-and-contrast some best practices with some “not so best” practices.

Why have an irrigation “design” at all? Design-build or performance specs are fine, right?

JBC believes that the old approach of incorporating a performance specification as part of a complete landscape is no longer valid in the 21st Century. As Landscape Architects, we should be at the forefront of advocating for the responsible use of water on all our projects. Regarding projects where irrigation is needed or desired by our clients, Landscape Architects should take hold of designing the projects single largest consumer of water. By including full irrigation design as our scope of services we can:

  • Select the appropriate water delivery methods, using drip and other low-volume, high-efficiency equipment wherever possible, rather than the installer gravitating toward equipment that is faster and easier to install.

  • Correctly size the piping and equipment to allow the system to operate efficiently. A good design will provide enough capacity to meet the needs of the landscape within a single watering cycle or window.

  • Anticipate expansion by providing for wire terminations, sleeves under pavements, and valves in the landscape to allow the system to be added to in the future. This is especially important for projects with multiple phases.

How does a good design increase a system’s longevity?

A good design helps increase the system's longevity by anticipating common failures in a system, providing for ease of recurring maintenance, and selecting installation methods appropriate for the location.

Common failures that can be mitigated through good design include:

  • Sizing mainline and laterals to avoid water “hammer”. If you’ve ever slammed a water fixture closed in a house and heard a clanging noise from the wall, you’ve just experienced water hammer. When a column of water is moving at a high velocity and then suddenly stops, shock waves travel back through the water and pipe. In a building, the copper pipes will suddenly move and vibrate causing a clanging sound. In an irrigation system that uses plastic pipes, the shock waves will travel through the pipe as well, but the sudden movement is extremely damaging to the glued, clamped, or threaded joints in the plastic piping. Sizing the pipes to prevent water velocities from exceeding five feet per second (5 fps) reduces the risk of water hammer. Additionally, pressure-reducing valves and slow-closing remote control valves can also be specified for a system where there is a risk of water hammer.

  • Reducing the risk for freeze damage. In regions where soil temperatures routinely drop below freezing, incorporating methods for winterization is key to keep pipes and equipment from freezing and splitting apart. The most common winterization method is blowing out the system with compressed air. To accomplish this, JBC provides valves where air hoses can be attached to the mainline and inject compressed air. Our designs provide locations to inject air in multiple locations so that the system can be blown out from different directions and through equipment that will remain in place (such as meters and backflow preventers).

Maintenance provisions in JBC designs include the following:

  • Specifying and requiring a tracer wire on all mainlines where there is no control wire present. This allows locating and fixing leaks or damage to mainlines in the field.

  • Installation of a master valve. A master valve ‘turns off’ the entire mainline when the system isn’t running. Without a master valve, the mainline is always under pressure. This unnecessarily stresses joints and if the mainline is damaged or leaking, water will run until the system is manually shut down at the point of supply.

  • Specifying (and verifying) swing joints on pop-up sprinklers. This allows ease of replacement if the sprinkler needs repair. Without swing joints, removing and replacing sprinklers is much more complex and usually affects the lateral pipe supplying the sprinkler.

Installation methods are also a key consideration. The primary method worth noting is requiring trenched pipe installation, rather than installation via a vibratory plow that “pulls” the pipe. Trenched installation controls the depth of the pipe (important to consider in freezing climates – see previous discussion) and it prevents issues where rocks or other debris abrades and weakens the pipe as it is being installed. Trenched pipe installation is also generally cleaner as less debris is likely to enter the pipe and it allows visual inspection of joints before the trench is backfilled, preventing leaks before they start.

What are other issues that come up? How does JBC anticipate those?

Pipes and fittings are mostly ‘static’. Once correctly installed in the ground, that is where they stay and, unless there are issues like those previously discussed, they are reliable for years to come. The moving bits of an irrigation system, however, are where season-to-season issues come up. These ‘weak links’ are primarily the valves, heads, and control-related equipment.

  • Valves open and close with each cycle. The plastic or brass bodies of the valve are almost always robust to withstand years of use. The solenoid (the electrified magnet that starts the open-and-close process inside the valve) is one potential weak point. Using a control system with ‘latching’ solenoids increases the lifespan as the electric impulse shuttles the solenoid between the open and closed position, rather than ‘holding’ it open. Good wire connections between the solenoid wires and the control wires also help prevent shorting which can burn out the solenoid. Specifying a dirty-water valve, even for systems that utilize potable water, can increase the lifespan of a valve as the internal components are designed to withstand water-borne debris.

  • Pop-up heads also operate during each cycle. Most commercial-grade sprinklers are designed to provide years of trouble-free operation but certain nuances in the design and specification can help extend the lifespan. JBC often details high pop-ups using the bottom inlet only as the side inlet can allow water to sit in the sprinkler case even after being winterized. Specifying stainless-steel risers increases the lifespan of the sprinkler as sand and small gravel can’t gouge the riser and cause a leak at the seal. Specifying sprinklers that are vandal-resistant will also help mitigate “human-caused” maintenance issues. These features include check valves to help reduce water loss if the riser is broken and internal gearing that resets the spray arc if it is manipulated by hand.

  • Controllers and the related components are the most complex parts of a system. JBC includes provisions for lightning protection, flow sensing, cloud-based monitoring and programming, adequate grounding, and rain/freeze shut-offs wherever possible.

JBC believes that good irrigation design can extend the lifespan of the system, reduce the amount of water used, and minimize the year-after-year maintenance inputs that the Owner will be required to provide. The net effect is an irrigation system that will not only be highly efficient and cost effective in the future, but also provides problem-free operation from the start.

If we can help you build these efficiencies into your project, please contact us!

Behind the Scenes at Carlson Park: A Look into Award-Winning Park Master Planning and Design

/

Carlson Park is a 110-acre property that was donated to the City of Decorah in northeast Iowa. JBC recently received a Merit Award from the Prairie Gateway Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects for this planning and analysis project. We’d like to share a little bit more about the project with you today!

 

Planning the Park Master Plan Project: Goals and Objectives

The comprehensive Carlson Park Master Plan project studied the existing site conditions, identified opportunities and constraints, and used information gathered from residents through public surveys and community outreach to help achieve the goals the community of Decorah had for the park.

The goals of the master plan included enhancing the user experience for both residents and park visitors by providing year-round programs and amenities currently absent from other places in the community.  Improving vehicular safety and maintaining pedestrian safety was a focus when establishing connections to existing parks and trail systems and improving access into and within the site.  Protecting the native vegetation through mature tree preservation, prairie restoration efforts, and mitigating invasive species were a high priority. Stormwater Best Management Practices were included where applicable, and as the landscape architects leading the project, JBC developed a maintenance plan for Carlson Park as part of the master plan process.

 

Principles of Park Master Planning and Design

Design principles that guided JBC through the master plan process were connectivity, safety, activity, and stewardship.  To provide connectivity to and through Carlson Park, it was important that the overall design provide access and linkage to the larger Decorah parks and trails system. Safety was included to guarantee the planned uses of the park were feasible and accessible.  JBC designed the park for appropriate and sought-after activities within the park to offer year-round options for visitors to enjoy.  By implementing activities and programs which complement and preserve ecological features and processes on site, JBC met the final design principle – stewardship.

An environmental framework for Carlson Park was derived from a study of existing conditions that included topography and drainage, existing vegetation, existing circulation, existing infrastructure, site opportunities and site constraints.  This framework helped inform the design team for the overall master plan concept.  The master plan also includes vegetation recommendations for the entire 110-acre site, broken up into proposed vegetative zones. Goals and strategies for a restored prairie and arboretum zone, a reconstructed prairie zone and two forests zones were presented, as well as recommendations for selective pruning areas on site.

 

Community Engagement Informs the Park Master Plan

The team of landscape architects at JBC organized a two-day ‘soft opening’ community engagement event, in which residents and local park users were encouraged to come to Carlson Park and share their input on features and elements that should be implemented into the master plan.  

Participants were asked questions ranging from activity preferences to opinions on how much the park should be ‘developed’ to how users would access the park.  For those residents and park visitors that were unable to attend the engagement event, an online survey was developed to gather as much feedback as possible from the community. 

The results of the survey and soft opening were summarized and used to create the final master plan design.  JBC also consulted with a local mountain bike trail builder to help determine the most appropriate locations for proposed trails, trail distances and skill level requirements.

 

Park Master Plan Elements

The final master plan incorporated six different trails designed for a variety of user groups including hikers, skiers, and bicyclists.  With guidance from a local bike trail builder, three mountain bike zones, which span three skill levels (novice, intermediate, and advanced), were developed.  A bicycle skills park and pump track are also proposed.  Further trails included a cross-country ski loop and an arboretum trail. 

Two entrances and trailheads were placed in key locations within the park to provide areas for rest and respite as well as bicycle repair stations and an observation tower with restroom facilities. 

A nine-disc golf course, nature playground, bouldering areas, and campsites complete the master plan design.

The park master plan was compiled and presented to the City of Decorah and the Decorah Parks and Recreation Board. The document concluded with a phasing and implementation plan for the entire park, including cost estimates by phase and funding opportunities.

 

Park Master Planning Summary

The Carlson Park Master Plan project is a shining example of how thoughtful and collaborative future planning can create public spaces that meet the needs of a community. The new features and amenities designed throughout the park will make Carlson Park a more vibrant and enjoyable place for residents and visitors alike.  JBC is proud to share this award-winning and in-depth look at the master planning process and outcomes created for the City of Decorah, Iowa.

sean ray presents David Stokes, Principal, with a PGASLA Merit Award for the Carlson Park Master PLan project

 

Do you know a community with a park master plan project in the works? Let us know how we can help by contacting us today!

Seeing is Believing

/

Introduction

Nothing gives greater in-the-moment insight into how Landscape Architecture projects are built than seeing construction in progress and in person. This involvement through the construction of a project is important for all parties involved in the construction phase: the Owner, the Contractor, and the Landscape Architect. This blog post will discuss why “seeing is believing” and what JBC looks for when we visit one of our projects as its being built.

Why do we make site observations?

Harwood Park - Dallas, TX

JBC believes that site observations are a critical service that we provide to our clients and their construction partners on our projects. Being able to observe how the various trades interpret our Construction Documents allows us to protect the integrity of the design, protect the Owner’s financial investment in the project, and help solve problems that come up during construction.

  • Validating the integrity of the design involves looking at (seeing) the level of care that the Contractor is taking. One example that often comes up is whether existing trees are being protected. In some cases, these shady spots become “storage yards” or parking areas even though the Drawings and Specifications may clearly show how to fence off and protect delicate rootzones.

  • Protecting the Owner’s financial investment requires us to look at the materials being used. This will be discussed in greater detail, but we always want to make sure there haven’t been any unauthorized product substitutions.

  • We also expect that there will be ‘surprises’ of some sort during construction. Whether it’s a buried foundation, poor soil, or some other circumstance no one expected, there will inevitably be something that comes up during Construction. Being able to see the issue first-hand, and then collaborate on a solution that is cost-effective and sensitive to the Project’s schedule is a value to both the Owner and the Contractor.

What do we specifically look for?

Longwood Gardens - kennett square, PA

JBC’s primary goal for all our site observations is to verify that the Contractor has correctly interpreted our drawings and details and is constructing the Project accordingly. We do this by checking for the following:

  • We verify that the products and materials being installed are the same products and materials that the contractor has submitted and that we approved. JBC includes a submittal review and approval process in all our specifications. We want to verify that the contractor is using the products we specified or, if they can demonstrate that there’s an equivalent product, we can approve a substitution. In many cases there is an underlying reason why we select a given product or brand that the Contractor may not be aware of (such as having the same brand of irrigation equipment on other properties) and going through the submittal process allows us to bring all those issues into the light.

  • Once construction starts, we look for those same products and brands to be present on site and being installed as the project continues. We look for shipping labels, brand ‘marks’, labels and printing on pipe, bags of materials, etc. If a certain material doesn’t look correct, we will take samples and send them to our specified testing laboratory to be evaluated.

  • We are also balancing the ‘big picture’ (how well they are sequencing and protecting the work) with a ‘narrow focus’ on workmanship and quality. As mentioned above, is the Contractor being sensitive to the constraints of the site? Is the work logically sequenced and protected as it is completed? Have the required tests been performed or on the schedule to be performed? These are the big picture items. We also want to make sure that the folks installing everything are also aware of the requirements of the Drawings. For example, are the irrigation pipelines being built with good quality joints, with a minimum of primer and the correct amount of glue visible at the joint? Is the pipe clean and laid straight? These are just two very specific examples, but they demonstrate the overall quality of the work and are the sorts of things that we want to see.

  • Site observations are also learning opportunities for us as we observe alternative or new methods from good contractors. Many of these ‘tweaks’ get incorporated into our details and specifications for the next project and this allows JBC to stay current with the latest trends in materials and equipment that is being used on construction sites.

What are other considerations for making a site observation?

JBC always tries to respect the fact that the Project site is, in essence, the Contractor’s ‘office’. This is where dozens (or hundreds) of people work every day, usually in the elements and around hazardous equipment, utilities, and chemicals.

  • We make sure that we know the Contractor’s safety protocols before arriving. This protects JBC staff, the Contractor, and the Owner. No one wants an injury to occur on a project and by being aware of the safety protocols and wearing our PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) we greatly reduce the risk of injury. While on the site, we always try to watch out for hazards and make eye contact with any heavy equipment operators or drivers before encroaching into or crossing their work path.

  • JBC also tries to balance being problem solvers while making sure we look out for our clients’ interests. We prefer to bring up issues as they’re discovered so that everyone (Owner, Contractor, and JBC) can quickly address an issue, especially if it’s related to quality or unexpected materials.

  • Lastly, we believe it is important to take lots of photographs and provide the Owner and Contractor with a detailed Site Observation Report; this helps document that ‘moment in time’ and capture the conversations and directions that are given during the visit.

Holiday Park - West Des Moines, IA

Summary

JBC believes that performing construction site observations preserves the integrity of the design, protects the investment made by the Owner, and provides opportunities to solve problems as they emerge in the construction phase of a project. JBC is a strong advocate for all Landscape Architects to be involved throughout construction for these reasons but also because it is such a practical way to learn new things. It is truly a classroom for the most practical type of continuing education and the instructors are the folks tasked with turning our designs into reality.

Get out there on a construction site!