American Society of Landscape Architects

An outdoor oasis builds community

I had the pleasure of working with a great family, landscape contractor, and pool installer on a difficult project in 2015-2016, almost straight out of the gate after starting my own firm. The project allowed the family to utilize a significant portion of their property that was otherwise unusable (steep slope and ledge). As a team, we created an oasis for the family to spend more time outdoors socializing, relaxing, and being closer to nature. Not only was this project contributing to the local economy and building community on multiple levels during construction, it will continue to do so as long as the installation remains in place and is enjoyed. As a landscape architect I am always conscious of the big ways in which even the smallest of jobs that I contract (a simple rain garden, for example) contribute to the community economically and socially: minimizing the effects of stormwater, creating habitat, providing food for wildlife and pollinators, creating cutting gardens for clients to brighten their home and everyday life.