Yearly in April, RICK celebrates World Landscape Architecture Month, which gives us an opportunity to highlight the incredible work our landscape architecture team is doing in our offices across the southwestern United States. Looking back to April and over the last month, we are pleased to share perspectives from the landscape architects behind our projects and the ways their design decisions shape the experience of a site.
Kim Nelson, a Principal Landscape Architect based out of our Arvada, Colorado office, works on everything from large-scale site modeling to small community parks. She emphasizes how much stronger a design can be when you’re working side-by-side with other teams.
“Having engineers and surveyors in the same office means we’re not designing in a bubble. Working closely with other disciplines helps us design spaces that make sense for the site and the people using it.” —Kim Nelson, Principal Landscape Architect
Kim sees technology as a way to immerse people in a design before it is built. Tools like 3D renderings and walkthroughs let clients and community members experience how a space will function and feel long before construction begins.
“We’ve created videos for everything from a 5,000-acre solar farm to small community parks. Walkthroughs help people connect to the work in a real way.” —Kim Nelson
One recent example is Crist Park, where the team used Lumion to create a full video walkthrough that helped show how the space would come together before construction. Explore the video below to see more:
Stephanie Cruz is a Principal Landscape/Urban Designer based in RICK’s Riverside office. She has been with RICK for over seven years and has worked on dozens of projects, but the Antonio Parkway Gateway Improvements Project stands out.
“This is the first project I’ve been involved with from start to finish. A lot of projects are handed off or the timelines shift, but this one stayed with me. Seeing it built feels like reaching the summit after a long climb.” —Stephanie Cruz, Principal Landscape/Urban Designer
Stephanie was involved from the earliest conceptual designs to public meetings, construction documents, and now the final phase of construction, with the project expecting to be completed this summer.
When asked what makes a space feel complete, Stephanie points to how the design responds to the site itself, especially its topography. She is drawn to spaces that work with the land’s natural contours instead of flattening them, where elevation changes create moments of movement, play, or pause. Even subtle changes in grade can shift how a space feels and functions, from grassy slopes for kids to roll down to mounds that enclose seating areas.
One example is the monument sign for Antonio Parkway, which was designed on a 2:1 slope to follow the curve of the road and remain visible from the street.
“It’s not about flattening a space and dropping things in. It’s about letting the topography lead and designing something that feels like it belongs there.” —Stephanie Cruz
The diverse projects our Landscape team immerses in span across geographic regions and a wide span of needs and transformations.
Explore the profiles and photos below to see some prime examples.
Korean War Memorial at Generals Park (Aurora, CO): Created with the Dutch Nelsen Chapter and City of Aurora, this memorial honors those who served. Near the VA Hospital, it features shaded seating, native planting, and a quiet setting for remembrance.
Freedom Park at Navy Pier (San Diego, CA): Located next to the USS Midway, this 5.7-acre park will honor veterans and their families while creating a new public gathering space along the waterfront.
San Diego International Airport – Terminal 1 Expansion: Our landscape team is contributing to more than 70 acres of design work as part of the ongoing Terminal 1 expansion. That includes landscape for the new transit plaza, administration building, parking structure, and more.
Stagecoach Park Community Garden (Carlsbad, CA): This new garden includes 35 raised planters, composting and storage areas, a shaded picnic space, and walking paths. Designed in collaboration with the City of Carlsbad, it creates new opportunities for community, connection, and outdoor learning.
Crist Park (featured video; Frederick, CO): RICK partnered with the Town of Frederick to revitalize this historic downtown park with nature play, a splash pad, event space, and areas for art and gathering. Bioswales and rain gardens were added to improve drainage and support the landscape.
The best part of the time surrounding World Landscape Architecture Month is highlighting the people behind the projects. This year, we took a closer look at the ideas and values that shape their approach. From concept to final details, each design reflects a deep commitment to place and purpose. RICK is proud to support their work and grateful for the perspective they bring to every space.