One of Texas’ oldest cities and the scene of an historic restoration which has gained national honors is the scene of the 1987 Annual Meeting for The Texas Chapter of The American Society of Landscape Architects. The meeting dates are April 25 thru 27.

Galveston is an island where Jean Lafitte built his fort, Maison Rouge, when he was expelled by the United States from which he planned his forays out into the Gulf of Mexico to secure his pirate bounty.

Today, the city is known as the “Oleander City” with most all the streets and boulevards lined with oleander, and where palm trees and other tropical plants abound.

Historical restoration of the landscape will be just one of the many educational topics discussed at the Annual Meeting. Other educational sessions will explore such weighty topics as “the image of the landscape architect,” “the business of landscape architecture” and “business and promotional tools for the profession.”

The local Galveston angle will be covered by Denny Kelly, director of the Downtown Revitalization Committee, and Peter Atkins, ASLA, the director of horticulture for one of the most spectacular landscape projects in the entire state, Moody Gardens on Galveston Island.

A study of “Battery Park, N.Y.” will be presented by Carter Wiseman, editor of the Yale Alumnae Magazine and former architectural critic for New York Magazine.

Galveston Island offers all types of “fun” for the entire family. A trip down to the restored Strand and the Railroad Museum is a must and then, there is the “free ferry ride” across Galveston Bay on the Texas Highway Department ferries. The beaches will beckon from The Galvez Hotel, the convention hotel which faces the Gulf of Mexico and remains one of the finest and most beautiful hotels in the Lone Star State. The Galvez was first built in the 1 920’s by the Moody Interests and was known as “the” place to go in Texas. Then, several years ago, the hotel was purchased by famous heart surgeon, Dr. Denton Cooley and he restored it, at great cost, to its previous splendor.

The Galvez Hotel is directly across the street from the Moody Convention Center where the Exhibit Hall will be located and where the landscape architects present will have the opportunity to see all the new and innovative products and services offered by their suppliers.

Parties and special events have been planned for Saturday and Sunday, and on Monday the Texas Chapter/ ASLA will present their 1987 Design and Service Awards at a special luncheon at Galveston’s most famous?EUR??,,????'??+ and best?EUR??,,????'??+restaurant, Gaido’s.

Added to the Design Awards this year will be Service Awards which will be presented to both members and non-members of ASLA. There will be a Distinguished Service Award made to a member who has made outstanding contributions to the Texas Chapter; a Community Service Award which will honor a member who has contributed unselfishly of their professional abilities in largely unremunerated volunteer, appointed or elected community service; and an Environmental Stewardship Award, which is intended to recognize individuals or organizations in Texas who, although not landscape architects, clearly demonstrate the environmental concern and stewardship role of the profession of landscape architecture.

It is going to be a great program?EUR??,,????'???in a great place to both learn and have fun . . . and landscape architects from throughout the country are invited to join Texas in the celebration. For further information contact The Texas Chapter/ASLA at 1601 Rio Grande, Suite 440, Austin, Texas 78701.