Transforming hardscapes into greenspaces! MKSK celebrates World Landscape Architecture Month with a glimpse into our before-and-after projects. Our projects include the reimagination of former malls, industrial sites, brownfields, parking lots, riverfronts, and more, into vibrant centers of destination for urban life. The urban heat island effect has a significant impact on the environment of our cities. Communities can take action to reduce urban heat islands with strategies like increasing tree and vegetative cover, installing green roofs, using cool pavements, and utilizing smart growth practices. For each project site, we strive to achieve low-impact site development utilizing these strategies. These are the projects MKSK designs. Featured Projects: Bridge Park District & Riverside Crossing Park, Dublin, OH - The project transformed a former strip retail center, downtown riverfront, and the surrounding roadways into a walkable destination for visitors and residents to the Bridge Street District with the mixed-use development Bridge Park, a walkable tree-lined boulevard along the re-aligned Riverside Drive, and a new Riverside Crossing Park supported by gained open space introduced by the realignment of Riverside Drive. Dorrian Green, Columbus, OH - 6.5 acres of surface parking was transformed into the surrounding neighborhood’s ‘central park’. The park is a green roof above a new 630-car below ground parking garage serving visitors to the Scioto Peninsula Cultural District, Center of Science and Industry, and National Veterans Memorial and Museum. Lawrenceburg Civic Park, Lawrenceburg, IN - Replaces over an acre of underutilized surface parking located in the heart of downtown to create a signature central greenspace, park, and entertainment destination, and the catalyst for a new downtown entertainment district. Centennial Commons, Royal Oak, MI - The relocation of downtown Royal Oak’s Police Station and City Hall resulted in the perfect opportunity to provide an inclusive outdoor amenity and experience space for the community. The greenspace provides a “world class” resilient landscape for community events and is sized for the City’s annual winter ice rink. Crisscrossing pathways promote porous edges for convenient access to the park, connecting the entire district with the community. American Society of Landscape Architects City of Dublin, Ohio USA Columbus Recreation and Parks Department City of Lawrenceburg, Indiana City of Royal Oak, MI #MKSK #ShapePlace #PlacesforPeople #LandscapeArchitecture #UrbanDesign #Planning #Design #EnvironmentalImpact #ResilientDesign #Greenspace #ASLA #OCASLA #INASLA #MiASLA #ULI #WLAM #WLAM2024 #ThisIsLandscapeArchitecture #April #BeforeandAfter
