The Arkansas Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects held its Design Awards Dinner and Scholarship Benefit on Saturday, September 8, 2007 at the Peabody Hotel in downtown Little Rock.  The Arkansas Chapter received award submittals from professionals around the state, which were juried by members of the Oklahoma Chapter on August 8th.

Five local landscape architects were recipients of the 2007 Chapter Design & Planning Awards. The Honor award is the highest recognition that can be received and it represents “the most outstanding project in each category”.

Residential Design Category

Award of Merit
Mark A. Robertson, ASLA of Mesa Landscape Architects of Little Rock, Arkansas for the design of a Private Residential Estate in Little Rock, Arkansas.  The purpose of this project was to develop a series of unique gardens for the owner’s use and enjoyment.

Planning and Urban Design Category

Award of Merit
Karen Rollet-Crocker, Landscape Architect and Ethan Inlander of The Nature Conservancy for the Urban Forest Conservation Assessment for Fayetteville, Arkansas.  The purpose of this project was to identify the highest priority natural areas in and around Fayetteville for conservation before they disappear due to rapid population growth. 

Award of Merit
Roberts and Williams Associates, Little Rock, Arkansas for the Pulaski County Pedestrian and Bicycle Trails Master Plan.

Award of Merit
Mark A. Robertson, ASLA of MESA Landscape Architects, Little Rock, Arkansas for the Brandywine Zoo Master Plan in Wilmington, Delaware.  The purpose of this project was to revise the 10-year master plan for the Brandywine Zoo. 

Award of Honor
Ron Tyne, FASLA of Rocket Properties in Little Rock, Arkansas for the master plan of Woodlands Edge in West Little Rock, Arkansas. The purpose of this project is the development of a new residential community utilizing sustainable site design principles and low impact development techniques. 

Design Category

Award of Merit 
Martin L. Smith, ASLA  of Larson Burns and Smith, in Little Rock, Arkansas for the Design of the Big Dam Bridge Plazas. This project involved designing a plaza on either side of “the longest pedestrian/bicycle bridge in the world designed and built for that purpose.”

Award of Merit
Mark A. Robertson, ASLA of  MESA Landscape Architects in Little Rock, Arkansas for the Bank of America Big Cat Falls in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The purpose of this project was to re-develop the exhibits outside the historic cat house into a new immersive habitat for six big cats. 

Award of Honor
Martin L. Smith, ASLA of Larson Burns and Smith in Little Rock, Arkansas for the Design of the Heifer International in Little Rock. This project integrates Heifer International’s commitment to sustainability, conservation, and education. 

View images of the awards winners...