Bolton & Menk, Inc. specializes in providing public infrastructure solutions. Since 1949, we have been committed to improving quality of life through engineering excellence and client satisfaction. From advocating for our communities to designing their dreams to finding funding; we take pride in our work because we live in these same communities. Our landscape architects create public spaces where people want to be. A successful design blends form and function, promotes health and happiness, and works well now and for many years. By listening to stakeholders, collaborating with other design disciplines, and applying creativity and innovation, we have improved the lives of thousands of people with our designs. Today, Bolton & Menk has more than 900 employees throughout 30 locations in Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota, North Carolina, and South Carolina providing services to more than 400 communities and agencies.
Software Used: Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign; Autodesk Civil3D, Lumion, Sketchup, Rhino 3D

Pine River Rock Riffle,
City of Pine River, Minnesota

The City of Pine River partnered with Bolton & Menk to design a rock riffle replacement of the Norway Lake Dam. The dam, 200 feet long and 13 feet high, was built in 1910 and electricity was generated there until 1946. The dam created a reservoir upstream and was classified high-hazard and was a significant fish barrier. The project removed the high-hazard dam and installed a rock-arch rapids in 2022.
A historic swimming beach near the dam was built in the 1930s by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) (eligible to National Register of Historic Places). Architectural renderings conveyed alternative concepts at public meetings, environmental reviews, and funding applications. A multi-agency agreement called for a detailed photographic record and installation of interpretive signage highlighting the history of the swimming beach.
Replacing the dam with a rock riffle enhanced fish passage, biological connectivity, habitat, safety, aesthetics, fishing, and recreational access to
the river.

University Avenue, City of Windsor Heights, Iowa

 
University Avenue was a dominant four-lane road with limited space beyond the designated?space for automobiles. The corridor lacked an attractive, pedestrian-friendly streetscape which is critical for encouraging visitor and economic growth. Bolton & Menk, in collaboration with city staff, stakeholder groups, and residents, helped achieve the goals to provide a safer multimodal corridor for all users, establish community branding and identity to enhance economic growth, and implement a community-supported and technically-sound plan.
It was ultimately determined that the roadway would be converted from the existing four-lane configuration to a three-lane roadway with a 12-foot multi-use trail on one side. Additional improvements and amenities included new street lighting, monumentation and wayfinding, street trees and landscaping, and new bus shelters with public art at locations selected with Des Moines Area Regional Transportation's
(DART) collaboration.

Marshalltown West End Park,
City of Marshalltown, Iowa

In 2018, Marshalltown suffered tremendous damage from a tornado that made its way across the town. West End Park is one of the many areas that suffered tornado damage with the loss of a shelter and many fully-grown trees. This park resides on the backside of the school and is located along North 13th Street, which is Marshalltown's entertainment district. This district holds many events that bring in music, food trucks, and other outdoor events.
Bolton & Menk helped the City of Marshalltown envision a space to bring together multiple users with a variety of amenities for all ages. The vision for the future park plan was an outdoor event space to hold more than 150 people with food truck parking. The park contains an architectural shelter that acts as the performance stage with concessions and restrooms to support events. The park is tied together by a walking trail that loops through the park to accommodate the users from the Iowa Veterans Home to the north of the park, stream bank restoration that has lawn paths alongside it, a boardwalk with rain gardens for stormwater storage, natural playscape, existing futsal courts, and an existing baseball practice field. The designed improvements for West End Park support a variety of events, natural play, shoreline restoration, and sports courts.

Riverfront Renaissance Improvements,
City of Hastings, Minnesota

The City of Hastings wanted to revitalize and reconnect their downtown to the Mississippi River while leveraging the nearby regional trail connection. Bolton & Menk collaborated with the city to develop a three-phase Downtown Riverfront Renaissance project. Phases one and three focused primarily on the downtown infrastructure, while phase two focused on Levee Park, a prominent park connecting the Mississippi River, Mississippi River Regional Trail, and downtown business district.
The master plan included enhancements to the regional trail and construction of an amphitheater, musical playground, ice skating rink, branding and signage, and a veteran's memorial. The completion of this riverfront improvement project succeeded in connecting downtown Hastings to Levee Park and the regional trail, enhancing the user experience of each amenity, and creating a regional destination that users will want to visit time
and again.

Bethel University Athletic Improvements, Saint Paul, MN

Founded in 1871, Bethel University is a historic Christian university and seminary in Saint Paul. Bolton & Menk led design and engineering efforts for cutting-edge improvements to the athletics facilities at the university to convert the natural grass football field to low-maintenance synthetic turf. This project opened the door for additional improvements including a new nine-lane running track and field events, bleacher upgrades, a new scoreboard, electrical conduit and wiring for new services, future lighting, and a new
sound system.
The project keeps Bethel University competitive and relevant, providing options and amenities that prospective students see as vital characteristics.

Water Plaza at Linn Creek District,
City of Marshalltown, Iowa

The City of Marshalltown Parks and Recreation Department hired the team of Bolton & Menk, Artist Hilde Debruyne, and Waters Edge Aquatic Design to lead a design and community engagement effort for a new water plaza at Mega-10 Park in the Linn Creek District of the Marshalltown community. The resulting design is inclusive and reflective of the diverse background of the people of Marshalltown.
Through the engagement process, the team discovered that many people had very fond family memories of time spent on the water: playfulness, relaxation, and summer fun came to mind. The master plan concept developed by the design team captured these feelings by exploring the pastime of skipping stones and focusing on inclusive design, accessible and enjoyable to all. The idea of skipping stones unites people from different origins and ages, as they fondly remember this whimsical activity. For some it is purely for fun, enjoying free time with loved ones; for others it can be a type of meditation and mindfulness.
The design of the site portrays "rock skipping" using timed arc-fountains bouncing toward the middle of the site as "ripples" in the plaza radiate from the splashes. Site and sculpture were designed together to emphasize this motion in a way that site and sculpture are not complete without the other.