RJM Design Group

San Juan Capistrano, California
Photo Credits: RJM Design Group
by

Boulder Pond Park; Rancho Mission Viejo, CA
Boulder Pond Park is a recreational centerpiece within the Rancho Mission Viejo community that serves residents of all ages, including a 55+ neighborhood and multi-generational households. Designed to strengthen community connections and complement the adjacent pool facility, the park features walking paths that link neighborhoods and amenities throughout the development. Key elements include a split-level pond with a cascading waterfall, two docks, a fish habitat, and a nature-themed playground with custom play features. Shaded gathering spaces, seating areas, and transplanted heritage oak trees enhance comfort and character. Native and low-water-use plantings support sustainability goals, creating a resilient and welcoming destination that blends recreation, ecology, and natural beauty.

Crawford Canyon Park; Tustin, CA
Crawford Canyon Park is a 2.5-acre neighborhood park in North Tustin developed through a partnership between OC Public Works and OC Parks. Embracing a "Back to Nature" design approach, the park blends natural materials, sustainable infrastructure, and nature-based recreation. Planned amenities include age-specific playgrounds with wood play structures, climbing features, embankment slides, sand play areas, a quarter-mile walking path, fitness stations, picnic areas, and a large open lawn. The landscape features California native and low-water-use plantings, bio-retention basins, vegetated swales, and repurposed natural boulders. Enhanced pedestrian connections, accessible pathways, parking, lighting, and site furnishings create a welcoming, environmentally responsible destination for recreation and community gathering.

Crucero Park; Mission Viejo, CA
Crucero Park was revitalized through a multi-phase improvement project that modernized the playground, resolved long-standing drainage issues, and enhanced amenities throughout the park. Upgrades included new play equipment, shade sails, rubberized surfacing, seating areas, planting, irrigation, and a bioinfiltration feature. Designed for toddlers, ages 2-5, and ages 5-12, the playground encourages inclusive, imaginative play while improving accessibility, safety, and caregiver visibility. A second phase extended park-wide enhancements with new sidewalks, seating nodes along the turf lawn, upgraded lighting, and refreshed landscaping. Together, these improvements transformed Crucero Park into a cohesive, resilient, and welcoming community destination that supports recreation, relaxation, and family gatherings for visitors of all ages.

Ford Park "Dreamers" Aquatics Facility; Bell Gardens, CA

 
This transformative project revitalizes a long-closed community facility into a vibrant 2.1-acre destination for recreation, wellness, and connection in Bell Gardens. Replacing the original 1959 pool that closed in 2017, the new aquatic complex is designed to serve all ages and abilities. Key features include a 50-meter competition pool, therapy pool, and activity pool that support swim lessons, rehabilitation, and recreational programming. Shaded cabanas, picnic areas, and an amphitheater encourage social interaction and multigenerational use, while universal accessibility and family-friendly amenities create an inclusive environment. Inspired by the site's mid-century heritage, the design honors local history while expanding aquatic capacity, improving public health, and restoring a community asset.

Gardena Aquatics & Senior Center; Gardena, CA
The Gardena Aquatic Center and Senior Center transforms an outdated facility into a modern, community-focused destination for recreation and wellness. Following the pool's closure in 2019, the city expanded the site through the acquisition of adjacent properties, creating opportunities for new aquatic and senior programming. The reimagined facility features a 25-yard, eight-lane competition pool, diving bay, learner and fitness pool with ADA access, shaded spectator seating, and outdoor exercise equipment. A new 12,000-square-foot building houses pool locker rooms and dedicated senior activity spaces. Designed to serve residents of all ages and abilities, the project provides inclusive, state-of-the-art amenities that promote health, recreation, and community connection.

Buena Park Friendship Park; Buena Park, CA
Friendship Park is a 7.9-acre neighborhood park in the heart of Buena Park's Koreatown. RJM led a series of community outreach meetings to gather resident input and develop a conceptual design that reflects local priorities while strengthening the park's role as a vibrant community gathering space. Proposed improvements include an expanded playground with shade structures and resilient surfacing, new fitness equipment, an enhanced walking loop, pickleball courts, a basketball half-court, and a dedicated dog run. The plan also features a multicultural picnic shelter celebrating Buena Park's diverse heritage, along with upgraded lighting and security enhancements to create a safe, welcoming environment for recreation, health, and cultural connection.

Ontario Sports Empire; Ontario, CA
Set to open in Fall 2026, the Ontario Sports Empire is positioned to become the premier venue for major regional and national tournaments. With 110 acres of top-tier athletic facilities, the park features a soccer complex including eight full-size soccer fields, four championship soccer fields with two football/rugby field overlays, and a baseball complex including eight full-size diamonds with 12 youth baseball diamond overlays, and two championship baseball fields. At its center, a family activity hub connects the soccer and baseball complexes with shaded gathering spaces, playgrounds, a performance stage, passive recreation areas, and a large LED video board. Additional amenities include elevated concourses, concessions, batting cages, spectator viewing areas, custom playgrounds, public art, and extensive parking.

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Boulder Pond Park; Rancho Mission Viejo, CA
Boulder Pond Park is a recreational centerpiece within the Rancho Mission Viejo community that serves residents of all ages, including a 55+ neighborhood and multi-generational households. Designed to strengthen community connections and complement the adjacent pool facility, the park features walking paths that link neighborhoods and amenities throughout the development. Key elements include a split-level pond with a cascading waterfall, two docks, a fish habitat, and a nature-themed playground with custom play features. Shaded gathering spaces, seating areas, and transplanted heritage oak trees enhance comfort and character. Native and low-water-use plantings support sustainability goals, creating a resilient and welcoming destination that blends recreation, ecology, and natural beauty.

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Crawford Canyon Park; Tustin, CA
Crawford Canyon Park is a 2.5-acre neighborhood park in North Tustin developed through a partnership between OC Public Works and OC Parks. Embracing a "Back to Nature" design approach, the park blends natural materials, sustainable infrastructure, and nature-based recreation. Planned amenities include age-specific playgrounds with wood play structures, climbing features, embankment slides, sand play areas, a quarter-mile walking path, fitness stations, picnic areas, and a large open lawn. The landscape features California native and low-water-use plantings, bio-retention basins, vegetated swales, and repurposed natural boulders. Enhanced pedestrian connections, accessible pathways, parking, lighting, and site furnishings create a welcoming, environmentally responsible destination for recreation and community gathering.

3 / 7

Crucero Park; Mission Viejo, CA
Crucero Park was revitalized through a multi-phase improvement project that modernized the playground, resolved long-standing drainage issues, and enhanced amenities throughout the park. Upgrades included new play equipment, shade sails, rubberized surfacing, seating areas, planting, irrigation, and a bioinfiltration feature. Designed for toddlers, ages 2-5, and ages 5-12, the playground encourages inclusive, imaginative play while improving accessibility, safety, and caregiver visibility. A second phase extended park-wide enhancements with new sidewalks, seating nodes along the turf lawn, upgraded lighting, and refreshed landscaping. Together, these improvements transformed Crucero Park into a cohesive, resilient, and welcoming community destination that supports recreation, relaxation, and family gatherings for visitors of all ages.

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Ford Park "Dreamers" Aquatics Facility; Bell Gardens, CA
This transformative project revitalizes a long-closed community facility into a vibrant 2.1-acre destination for recreation, wellness, and connection in Bell Gardens. Replacing the original 1959 pool that closed in 2017, the new aquatic complex is designed to serve all ages and abilities. Key features include a 50-meter competition pool, therapy pool, and activity pool that support swim lessons, rehabilitation, and recreational programming. Shaded cabanas, picnic areas, and an amphitheater encourage social interaction and multigenerational use, while universal accessibility and family-friendly amenities create an inclusive environment. Inspired by the site's mid-century heritage, the design honors local history while expanding aquatic capacity, improving public health, and restoring a community asset.

5 / 7

Gardena Aquatics & Senior Center; Gardena, CA
The Gardena Aquatic Center and Senior Center transforms an outdated facility into a modern, community-focused destination for recreation and wellness. Following the pool's closure in 2019, the city expanded the site through the acquisition of adjacent properties, creating opportunities for new aquatic and senior programming. The reimagined facility features a 25-yard, eight-lane competition pool, diving bay, learner and fitness pool with ADA access, shaded spectator seating, and outdoor exercise equipment. A new 12,000-square-foot building houses pool locker rooms and dedicated senior activity spaces. Designed to serve residents of all ages and abilities, the project provides inclusive, state-of-the-art amenities that promote health, recreation, and community connection.

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Buena Park Friendship Park; Buena Park, CA
Friendship Park is a 7.9-acre neighborhood park in the heart of Buena Park's Koreatown. RJM led a series of community outreach meetings to gather resident input and develop a conceptual design that reflects local priorities while strengthening the park's role as a vibrant community gathering space. Proposed improvements include an expanded playground with shade structures and resilient surfacing, new fitness equipment, an enhanced walking loop, pickleball courts, a basketball half-court, and a dedicated dog run. The plan also features a multicultural picnic shelter celebrating Buena Park's diverse heritage, along with upgraded lighting and security enhancements to create a safe, welcoming environment for recreation, health, and cultural connection.

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Ontario Sports Empire; Ontario, CA
Set to open in Fall 2026, the Ontario Sports Empire is positioned to become the premier venue for major regional and national tournaments. With 110 acres of top-tier athletic facilities, the park features a soccer complex including eight full-size soccer fields, four championship soccer fields with two football/rugby field overlays, and a baseball complex including eight full-size diamonds with 12 youth baseball diamond overlays, and two championship baseball fields. At its center, a family activity hub connects the soccer and baseball complexes with shaded gathering spaces, playgrounds, a performance stage, passive recreation areas, and a large LED video board. Additional amenities include elevated concourses, concessions, batting cages, spectator viewing areas, custom playgrounds, public art, and extensive parking.

For nearly four decades, RJM Design Group has been shaping communities throughout California through innovative landscape architecture, planning, and design. Founded in 1987, the multi-disciplinary firm is known for creating community-inspired spaces that balance functionality, sustainability, and lasting character. RJM's approach is rooted in collaboration, viewing every project as a partnership, and taking the time to understand the unique priorities, opportunities, and challenges that define each community. With extensive public-sector expertise, the firm skillfully navigates complex processes while delivering creative, practical solutions that enhance the environment and bring people together. Equally distinctive is RJM's culture - a close-knit team built on trust, mentorship, and shared purpose. By collaborating openly and drawing on diverse expertise, the firm fosters creativity, accountability, and consistency, ensuring every project benefits from collective insight, personalized service, and a genuine passion for creating meaningful places that endure for generations.
Employees: PLAs (11), Principals (4); Total (18)
Software used: Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft Office, Bluebeam, AutoCAD, Rhino, SketchUp, Lumion, ESRI

As seen in LASN magazine, August 2026.