Planning Resources Inc.

Located in the Chicago suburb of Wheaton, the firm has been in business for 27 years. The three principals are Keven Graham, ASLA, director of planning/site design, Darrell Garrison, ASLA, CPSI, director of landscape architecture and Michael Tait, financial officer. The firm has 12 employees: three principals, four landscape architects, three ecologists, one certified arborist and one environmentally-minded planner experienced in sustainable design.

Planning Resources’ mantra is sustainable, attractive and functional community solutions where people live, work and play. The firm specializes in site planning, park and recreation planning, healthcare/senior-living gardens, trails, corporate landscapes, land use planning and zoning, economic development, urban design, environmental impact analysis, ecological restoration, environmental planning, regulatory assistance and stormwater management.

The firm uses AutoCAD, Photoshop, InDesign, and SketchUp for design work.

Country Club Hills Amphitheater, Country Club Hills, Ill.

Planning Resources Inc. (PRI) was the lead consultant for this state-of-the-art music venue, assembling a team of architects, electrical engineers, audio specialists, structural engineers, theatrical lighting consultants and civil engineers. The amphitheater seats 5,000 and has views of the wetlands and pond. There are four seating areas. Fixed seating is directly in front of the stage; an expansive lawn offers less formal seating (and picnicking); and neighboring the support building are two structures that provide traditional brick paved stadium seating. A brick paved entry plaza, LED screen, and lighted fountain welcome park patrons.

Oswego Memorial and Streetscape, Oswego, Ill.

PRI completed design development and construction documents for the comprehensive plan of the downtown of the village. The design capitalizes on the village’s architectural heritage and proximity to the Fox River.

PRI prepared streetscape and architectural guidelines, a land-use plan that brought together residential, commercial and recreational components and created concepts for infill and redevelopment. Historic theme lighting, extensive use of brick pavers for pedestrian ways, landscaping, moveable planters, site furnishings, decorative walls and a new Veteran’s Memorial were all additions. The Memorial is a key focal point and river corridor overlook that connects the streetscape with the new river walk.