Saito Associates Landscape Architects

After working in the public sector for over 12 years as landscape architect for the cities of Los Angeles and Anaheim, Paul M. Saito, FASLA entered private practice in 1972 and established Recreation Land Planners along with two partners in Brea, Calif. In 1981 he dissolved Recreation Land Planners and became a sole proprietorship, established Saito Associates Landscape Architects and moved his office to Fresno. His practice includes landscape architecture and urban planning.

Shinzen Garden Woodward Park, Fresno

The original site plan for the Shinzen Garden was designed in1972 for the city of Fresno. Last year was the 25th Anniversary of the garden and in 2002 the Taira Ume Grove was added to the garden. Other future additions to the garden include a Japanese cultural center and restaurant.

Zumwalt Park, Tulare

Zumwalt Park was an existing park in downtown Tulare. It was redesigned to improve circulation and to feature a large gazebo to be utilized for hosting concerts. Existing trees were retained and more trees were added to the entrances and adjacent to the new sidewalks. This park was named in honor of Admiral Zumwalt, who was a resident of Tulare.

Michael Mochizuki Residence, Fresno

A residence was completely gutted and remodeled including the existing landscape. The front lawn was replaced with a Japanese theme landscape, including the creation of mounds and featuring a dry streambed and a new entry walk with a bridge crossing over it.

Fresno Area Sky Train (FAST), Fresno County

Ten years ago Paul Saito and Deryl Bear expressed the need for a mass transit system that would help improve the air quality in a city that had the worst air quality in the nation. With this challenge they asked a group of professionals to join them to form FAST, with the purpose of providing a revolutionary mass transit system that would encourage people to leave their cars at home and use mass transit.