This landscape rehabilitation project combines great design with envirionmentally friendly/sustainable plant material. My recollection of the concept behind this landscape design is "A Stop on the California Roadside". The design utilizes a pleasing assortment of both native and low water use plantings in a way which allows for seasonal color change; includes wonderful specimens of native Coast Live Oaks, endemic Torrey Pines, California Sycamores; and allows for interaction from both people and native creatures. In fact this interaction is an aspect strongly noticed when one enters the project.

The landscape is alive with both people strolling through the mendering paths as well as native birds, bees and butterfiles darting through the air. This project also includes upscale design elements like pedestrian nodes, arc shaped walls, and stylized entry monuments. This landscape rehabilitation replaces one filled with water loving plants, like the Coral Trees formerly found on site, and materials now known to be invasive, like the hedges of Acacia longifolia that used to line street edge of the project.

I think landscape architect Mike Sullivan and his client, the Muller Company, have invested in a landscape which illustrates a wonderful way to merge the principles of sustainability and good design, and are deserving of recognition in San Diego for their hard work and money invested in making the City of San Diego a more beautiful place.

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In the Otay Ranch area of Chula Vista is Horizon Park, a 5.3 acre Neighborhood Park developed by The Otay Ranch Company for the City of Chula Vista. Within this park is a very unique feature that is tucked away into the heart of it: the Council Ring. Council rings were first designed by turn-of-the-century Landscape Architect Jens Jensen and placed in many civic park settings. Jensen is considered the Frank Lloyd Wright of Landscape Architecture and began the Prairie School of landscape design in the early 1900s. Jensen’s council ring design was inspired by Native American council fire rings, and embraces the idea that all people come together as equals. The attached antique photo shows Jensen’s Council Ring with a school teacher and her students in Columbus Park, Chicago, Illinois, and was taken sometime in the 1920s (photo courtesy of Frank Waugh collection, Department of Landscape Architecture and Regional Planning, University of Massachusetts, Amherst). On the top of Horizon Park’s Council Ring you’ll find the following poem engraved into the seatcap, “The horizon leans forward, offering you space to place new steps of change.” ~ Maya Angelou To our knowledge, the Council Ring at Horizon Park is the only council ring on the entire West Coast. Adjacent to Horizon Park is the Ann and William Hedenkamp Elementary School. It’s hoped that school teachers bring their students on field trips to the nearby Horizon Park Council Ring…sit down in a circle…and learn that all people come together as equals.

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Unique Design For Pelly’s Mini Golf Scores With Mix Of Fun And Facts: In August 2005, Wimmer Yamada and Caughey (WYAC) was selected by the Del Mar Golf Center to create the theme, design, and orchestrate the renovation of San Diego County’s newest leisure attraction for all ages – Pelly’s Mini Golf - two side-by-side 18-hole miniature golf courses across from the Del Mar Fairgrounds.

During WYAC’s 54-year history, the studio has collaborated on the design of real golf courses; however, this miniature golf course was a first! As the ideas started flowing and excitement among the participants grew, the scope of the project continued to expand. It was determined from the start that this mini golf course renovation would be a radical departure from the ordinary. Because of its unique ocean-close location, it was decided to create two separate courses – one with a surfing theme and one with a marine animal life theme. Meetings were held with the Surfrider Foundation and Birch Aquarium to gather input and collaborate on ideas. With everyone’s input, Pelly’s Mini Golf was envisioned to provide both entertainment and education about the ocean. "Pelly", the California Brown Pelican who symbolizes the marine animal theme, narrates golfers through both courses.

The North Course, SURFIN’ SAFARI, celebrates the sport of surfing, with a particular emphasis on San Diego area surfing. The South Course, OCEAN ADVENTURE, explores the animal mysteries of the deep. At each hole, visitors are greeted by whimsical sculptures and eye-catching signage. In keeping with the theme, each of the 36 holes has its own unique name and showcases the artwork of local artist (and lifelong surfer) Roger Chandler.

DUKE KAHANAMOKU, the “Father of Modern Surfing,” presents the first challenge at Hole #1 for golfers at Pelly’s SURFIN’ SAFARI. San Diego surfers will recognize the breaks at POINT LOMA, WINDANSEA, and SWAMI’S. Surfs up!! Golfers tee off under a giant breaking wave with real cascading water at BANZAI PIPELINE, water mist erupts skyward at the BIG KAHUNA BLOWHOLE, and slightly silly brass footprints lead to the cup at the GOOFY FOOT hole. Pelly’s OCEAN ADVENTURE begins on land at TURTLE BAY and makes a gradual descent into the ocean. Along the way, golfers encounter MUSSEL BEACH (a little different than the Muscle Beach in Venice, California), OCTOPUS’S GARDEN (♪♫“I’d like to be, under the sea…”♫ listen closely and you’ll hear Ringo Starr), DOLPHIN GOLFIN’, and FRIEND OR ANEMONE. A life-size shark cage creates obstacles in the course of play, with circling sharks overhead at SHARK PARK. And mini-golfers even WALK THE PLANKTON on a pirate ship (did you know that plankton and krill combined together make up one of the largest biomasses on earth?). In addition, a miniature scaled replica of the historic Point Loma Lighthouse makes a regional connection to San Diego at the POINT LOMA hole.

The ageless fun of a miniature golf course takes on a special meaning in this ocean environment, with an underlying conservation message presented in a highly entertaining manner. The oceanic theme is carried out with Gerry Kirk’s mammoth sculptures (including a family of sea lions, a pod of California Gray Whales, a giant octopus, and many other amazing creatures), swaying palm trees, pier pilings, flowing water, thatched roof cabanas, and blue-colored artificial turf to mimic water within both courses.

Pelly’s Mini Golf received an enthusiastic reception at the February 8, 2008 grand opening. As the seasons pass and word spreads, the miniature golf course by the ocean is certain to become a favorite venue for locals and draw visitors from all over the world. Kudos must begin at the top with the highly enthusiastic client, Tom Gibson, former General Manager of the Del Mar Golf Center. While he embraced the creative designs presented to him, Tom’s belief in the project and his determination helped build the momentum and secure additional funding as ideas poured forth. Pelly’s Mini Golf would not have been possible without the outstanding contributions of two gifted artists: Gerry Kirk, thematic sculptor and president of Sand World International, Inc., Solana Beach; and Roger Chandler, signage illustrator of Art of Paradise, San Diego and Kauai. Together they have helped created a dynamic visual experience. Tod Thornton and Burdette Bremer of Castle Golf, Inc., Mesa, Arizona, a premier specialist, was an invaluable partner in golf course design (hole-layout designer). High praise and thanks go to Flores Lund Consultants (survey verification and infrastructure); LSW Engineers (partial electrical); Tom Herlihy, O’Connor Sales (site lighting); Matt Wilhite and Raul Avila, FX Luminaire (low-voltage lighting); and Tim Fennell, General Manager of the Del Mar Fairgrounds / 22nd Agricultural District. The WYAC designs of the golf courses are fun and conscientious; all of the 36 holes are fully ADA-accessible and the landscape was designed with California-friendly, drought-tolerant plants. Fitting the surfing and environmentally responsible theme, vivid signage at the side-by-side 18th holes shows a surfer doing a "WIPEOUT"" while graphics on the ocean-themed side reminds golfers to "WIPE OUT POLLUTION". www.pellysminigolf.com

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Conceived as an outdoor studio for creativity, play and learning, the Children’s Museum Park is the first of its kind in urban San Diego. Adding precious parkland and extending the museum’s philosophy of think, play, create, the park encourages play and self expression for children of all ages. The park is an exciting amalgam of open spaces, shaded courts, unique climbing and play structures, planting fields, herb gardens, gravel paths and grass areas. It engages us with poetry inscriptions by nationally renowned author, Quincy Troupe, a permanent sculpture by public artist, Roberto Salas, temporary art installations by local artists, and encourages participation by children with blank canvases of concrete and a supply of chalk. The Children’s Museum Park was born from a deep respect for children and their potential for discovery. Surroundings are ever-changing, flexible, and constantly open to interpretation and play. The park enriches the life of our children, adds beauty and interest to our environment, and is a great achievement in response to the growing sophistication of our city.

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Coronado Senior Apartments is located near the center of the bustling downtown village of the City of Coronado. This 30 unit affordable apartment project is aimed at low income senior citizens. Both the architecture and the landscape architecture of this project has been designed to complement and respect the surrounding residential neighborhood and community. Textural hardscape elements such as a stone paved courtyard, low stone garden walls and a central stone fountain feature combined with gardenesque plantings provide a cozy environment for the residents to enjoy the pleasant outdoor climate of Coronado.

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The new Fire Station is located within an existing neighborhood and is an important addition both visually and functionally to the community. The landscape design for El Cajon Fire Station 8 was coordinated in 2005 with the City of El Cajon Parks Division. Their criteria for the project was to develop a low maintenance, water conserving landscape and demonstration garden. Garbini & Garbini has created a sustainable planting design that is both simple in nature and striking in appearance.

The design relies on a limited plant palette that utilizes native, adaptive and drought tolerant species that naturally displays bold forms, clear lines and dramatic colors. The landscape design incorporates a permanent low maintenance groundcover. This groundcover consists of cobble and decomposed granite indigenous to the El Cajon area. By using cobble as mulch, less water is lost to runoff and evaporation. Innovative irrigation and drainage solutions were incorporated into the design. Downspouts from the Fire Station allow water to sheet drain from the roof into a cobble area and sheet flow over the decomposed granite reducing the need for storm drains. Relatively small areas of the site receive irrigation. The irrigation system uses a remote access controller. The controller allows the City of El Cajon Parks Department to monitor the City's irrigation systems remotely and is a great water conservation tool.

This project was designed and coordinated as part of the overall Parks Department program to reduce the requirement for water, minimize maintenance and create a visual asset in the community. This project demonstrates how a municipal building can rise above a strictly utilitarian function to inspire the community to conserve water and natural resources.

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Landscape was recently recreated. Simple, clean, true to the Modernist era.

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At the very least they could have tried to screen this heaping mass of bad architecture...

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Art museums are often dedicated to the conservation and restoration of art. Lux Art Institute believes that protection and conservation begins outside the museum walls and is committed to creating an appealing and inviting campus that uses only native plant species.

California native plants are plants that live and grow naturally without direct, or indirect human intervention. California native plants are in rapid decline in their land of origin due to pressures from urban development, agriculture, overgrazing, recreation, and invasive non-native species. Lux teamed with noted landscape designer Greg Rubin of California's Own Native Landscape Design to select an exquisite array of more than 750 rare plants that live and grow naturally in the region without needing special maintenance, fertilizers or pesticides. These plants also use up to 50 percent less water, are resistant to drought and freezes, and help prevent erosion.

Additionally, native plants generally support many more species of native wildlife than non-native plants. They promote biodiversity, offering the food, nectar, cover, and nesting areas that local birds, butterflies, and mammals need--especially desirable considering Lux is located amidst a wildlife preserve. The Lux grounds are unique among San Diego’s local institutions and are setting a precedent for sustainable gardening in the region. A tour through Lux’s gardens offers visitors an inviting aesthetic that’s also ecologically friendly—and provides inspiration as well as a recipe for creating a native landscape.

Lux Art Institute, located in Encinitas, Calif., opened its doors to the public in November 2007 and is redefining the modern museum experience with its artist-in-residence program. Artists live and work on site, while producing a commissioned work of art. Throughout the year, Lux invites significant regional, national, and international artists to participate in the Lux residency and encourages visitors from across the country to observe and engage with them. This one-of-a-kind institution invites visitors to not only “see art,” but also to “see art happen.” Slated to be the first “green” (LEED certified) art museum in California and located alongside one of Southern California’s remaining coastal wetlands, Lux’s four-acre site overlooks the San Elijo Lagoon and is surrounded by a wildlife preserve that stretches to the Pacific Ocean. In an effort to seamlessly meld the conservation and restoration of art beyond the museum walls, an array of rare native plants blends naturally into the nearby preserve. Santa Monica, California-based Renzo Zecchetto, AIA – whose other significant architectural projects include the award-winning Church of the Nativity in Fairbanks Ranch, Calif. and the Alusa Printing Company in Santiago, Chile – designed the two-story building to utilize energy-saving strategies such as the use of natural light and recycled materials to preserve resources for future generations.

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The new heart of the Miramar Community College campus is the 2 acre Leave a Legacy Plaza. The project is comprised of a decorative plaza, paved pathways, benches, and lighting in a previously undeveloped area of the Campus. These improvements provide access, connection and enhance student safety. The central Plaza space is consistently used as a student meeting point, a space to study, the school’s main outdoor assembly area, and an overall warm and inviting focal point for the entire Campus. Through a beautiful allée of old world trellis features with vibrant bougainvillea vines, this Plaza incorporates a central low-use water feature bordered by donor inscribed bricks, benches, and flagpoles. Designed with the student’s needs, and Campus programming in mind, the Plaza incorporates a strong pedestrian link into the main facility surrounded by open lawn areas for both active use and quiet learning.

“The Plaza is a real show-stopper — a unique and beautiful feature of the Miramar College campus…. You can be very proud of the Plaza. We certainly are!” Sandi Trevisan – Public Information Officer, San Diego Miramar College

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