Michigan ASLA Chapter

Christy Summers, Chapter President

Michael J Dul & Associates, Inc. received the President?EUR??,,????'?????< Photos: Michigan ASLA Chapter

The chapter recognized recipients of its 2011 President’s Awards and Chapter Design Awards. The President’s Emerging Professional of the Year award honors a landscape designer/landscape architect in the first 10 years of their career for significant contributions or significant works of design. This year’s Emerging Professional of the Year is Joane Slusky, Associate ASLA.

The final President’s Award is the Honor Award, given to an individual that is not a landscape architect, for significant support of landscape architects, community design, the profession or the environment. Representative Greg MacMaster of Kewadin is this year’s recipient. Rep. MacMaster introduced House Bill 4553, which would amend Article 22 of the Occupational Code to require continuing education requirements be met before a landscape architect’s license can be renewed.

In the Landscape Architectural Design category, the William Milliken State Park and Harbor, Phase 2 by JJR received an Honor Award, the highest recognition. URS Corp. Great Lakes also received an Honor Award for its design for the Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital.

Four projects received Merit Awards in this category. They were designs of the Bear River Valley Recreation Area by Beckett & Raeder, Inc.; Professional Engineering Associates’ design of the visitor entrance for the Hamtramck Assembly Plant; Lawrence Technological University by Harley Ellis Devereaux; and Crescent Park by URS Corp. Great Lakes.

The President’s Distinguished Member of the Year award recognizes a chapter member who makes significant contributions to the chapter and the profession through volunteerism and education. Michigan Chapter president Christy Summers (left) presented the award to Pamela Blough, FASLA.

In the Landscape Planning & Analysis category, two projects received Honor Awards: Hamilton Dam Modifications and Flint Riverfront Restoration Plan by Wade Trim; and the East Jefferson Stakeholder Outreach and Implementation Strategy by Hamilton Anderson Associates. Receiving a Merit Award was JJR’s Indiana University Bloomington Campus master plan.

Two projects received Merit Awards in the Landscape Architectural Research & Communication category. Both projects, Roadside Universe and The Silent Language, were by Dr. Jon Burley of Michigan State University.

Lobby Day for Michigan landscape architects was held May 11 at the Capitol in Lansing. About 40 legislators joined the luncheon. A dozen members visited legislators from their districts to share information about our current legislation. In Washington, D.C., five delegates represented Michigan for National Advocacy Day.

On Aug. 17, events to raise public awareness of landscape architecture were held throughout the state. Landscape architects took to the streets in Grand Rapids, East Lansing, Ann Arbor, Petosky, Marquette and Menominee to sign spaces designed by landscape architects. They passed out fliers and business cards touting the profession and directed them to a website developed by ASLA.