Darla Moore desires incentives for tourism, not just manufacturing

Read a recap of Darla Moore's keynote speech at the Chamber's State of the Region Breakfast in the Island Packet.

Sustainability in Small Business Workshop

Experience Green, a local non-profit, is hosting a workshop, with special guest Dodd Galbreath, to educate small businesses on green practices benefits. Register here: October 9, 11:30am – 3:00pm

Coligny's "Central Park"

A fully developed "Central Park" in Coligny is essential!

The open space opportunity we have a Coligny is rare. Civic leaders throughout history that have had the foresight to set aside and protect key open spaces in the middle of developed or rapidly developing land have often later been later heralded as visionaries. We have such an opportunity before us now with a 10-acre piece of undeveloped land that is very well positioned to serve as a key civic open space and destination for passive use and special events for the entire Island.

It would easy to justify placing buildings on this site or swapping pieces of to satisfy one request or the other. But, we have challenged ourselves with the difficult task of looking forward and setting a path with extraordinary outcomes. Central Park in Coligny represents one of those extraordinary opportunities. 

We must protect this open space asset and make Coligny Central Park our gift to future generations. 

Hilton Head Monthly Article

Playgrounds for Seniors

Governing.com recently published an article discussing a new trend in the states.  Playgrounds designed with low-impact exercise equipment are popping up next to child-friendly parks- exercise for everyone! 

8 Oaks Park Brings County Additional Revenue

Georgetown Times highlights the power of economic impact projects.  Almost a half-million dollars have been deposited in Georgetown County businesses this summer thanks to ball tournaments at Eight Oaks Park!

USC's Tailgate Facility Will be Ready for Gameday!

Looking forward to the first day of football at USC's new Tailgate Facility / Farmers Market!

Designing a Revenue Generating Space

The Coastal Discovery Museum at Honey Horn was published this month in Savannah Weddings magazine illustrating its large oak trees and wooden pavilion. It is a popular site for island weddings and receptions.  WPi created the master plan for this beautiful open space.

T-SPLOST Failure Still Means More $$$

Most interesting article released by Georgia Public Broadcasting defining how the GA laws protect transportation funding. 

Congratulations Georgetown!

8 Oaks Regional Park Opening Tournament 
(As Displayed on the Dixie Youth Facebook Page.)

Creating Great Places! July 2012

Marriott's Barony Beach Club Eblast has been published!
Check it out here.

ATL Transportation Referendum Defined

The Atlanta BeltLine posted an informative and compelling video explaining the importance of the July 31st Referendum. Check it out on their website.

Photo: Atlanta BeltLine's Historic 4th Ward Park

Beautiful Home and Garden Tours

South Carolina's Magnolia Gardens is noted as the oldest US public garden in Budget Travel's Most Beautiful Home and Garden Tours article.

UPDATE: Lynn Haven's Florida Ave Construction Photo

National Mall Design Competition Winners Released

The National Mall is getting a new look.  ASLA blogs about the national design competition winners released today. 

Craft Beer on the East Coast!

Just in case you missed this exciting news... New Belgium Brewing is happy to announce that Asheville, North Carolina will be the site for their east coast brewery!

RBC Heritage Forbes Write-Up

Hilton Head Island's RBC Heritage Golf Tournament hotel receives accolades on Forbes.com.  Don't forget, the Heritage is only a few days away: April 9-15!

Constituents Lead Change in Transportation Funding Bill

Our previous post addressed critical changes to the funding of local, landscape architecture projects.  Thanks to constituents speaking out, the MAP-21 bill passed with several pedestrian- and community-friendly provisions.  This ASLA article goes addresses the specific changes to MAP-21.

Alternative Transportation... And Funding

"The U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee voted on February 2 to eliminate funding for non-motorized transportation".  Read more of this interesting article on alternative transportation, Bicycles Belong, on ULI's website. 

Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Tourism Stats

ThinkHiltonHeadIsland.org is the Chamber's way of sharing "everything from demographic information and labor profiles, to visitor data and Department of Commerce statistics." It's a quick and easy tool for Chamber members to get information that can help grow their businesses. Thanks Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce!

St. Patrick's Day Concert

The Arts Center of Coastal Carolina is hosting Celtic Crossroads, a band from Galway, Ireland, this Sunday and Monday as part of the island's St. Patrick's Day festivities.

Historic Mitchelville Article in BBC

Britain's BBC news wrote a fascinating article on Hilton Head Island's Historic Mitchelville.  #WPi's Mark Baker was interviewed and provided the Master Plan for Image 6 for this article.

US Airways Magazine / Welcome to Hilton Head Island, Bluffton, and the Lowcountry

December's issue of US Airways Magazine featured 2 #WPi projects: Mitchelville and the Coastal Discovery Museum, as well as many other wonderful aspects of the Lowcountry!

Creating Great Places! February 2012

The University of South Carolina's Tailgate Facility is highlighted in this month's Creating Great Places! 

2011 Real Estate Recap: Hilton Head Island

Hilton Head Island, home of  #WPi's main office for over 23 years, shows the most improved real estate market in the state according to an article in the Island Packet.

WPi in Lake Wylie Pilot News!

#WPi is excited about its latest win-the York County Park Master Plan project!  Read the details of this new, 50-acre recreation project in this Lake Wylie Pilot article.

Everybody can be great...

"Everybody can be great... because anybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love." - Martin Luther King, Jr.

HGTV Call Out for Landscape Professionals

Come on, you know you want to.  Check out ASLA's article on how to apply, here.

Creating Great Places! January 2012

Historic 4th Ward Park Makes "Best of Atlanta"

Congratulations Historic 4th Ward Park on these fantastic accolades from Atlanta Magazine: "New Urban Oasis", "More than a greenspace", "Modern, funky playground and splash pad enthrall kids".  #WPi was a park design team leader on this amazing project.

Tanyard Creek Park Amphitheater Open to the Public!

The Tanyard Creek Park recently celebrated its grand opening!  WPi designed the master plan for this 32-acre Quincy, FL park.  WTXL tv reported at the grand opening, click here for link to video.

A Celebration of Perry Wood's Life

We are saddened by the loss of  Perry Wood.  A celebration of Perry's life will be held on Wednesday, November 30th at 11:30 a.m. at Honey Horn Plantation. See Link.

Awards!

Columbia Citi Residential Community is amassing awards!  The newest on the list is the Pillar of the Industry Award for three categories: Best Affordable Apartment Community, Best Multifamily Community Site Plan, and the Multifamily Community of the Year!  Congratulations Columbia City! #WPi provided master planning services and landscape architecture construction documents for this amazing property.

Creating Great Places! November 2011

November's 'Creating Great Places!' focuses on public improvements to increase private sector profit. Click here to learn how Orangeburg, SC has redefined its city center.  Don't miss out on future editions, sign-up for WPi's monthly e-newsletter!

ASLA's 'Interview with Bjarke Ingels'

Bjarke Ingles, an architect by training, calls his style "hedonistic sustainability.”   His use of landscape architecture principles in design is amazing. Read about his philosophy in this article and see his work on his website.

16 Ways Hilton Head Planation is Sustainability Friendly

Hilton Head is known for its natural beauty.  Learn more about what Hilton Head Plantation does as a community to be good stewards of the natural environment and natural resources that have been entrusted to our care.

SITES Pilot Project & Historic 4th Ward Park

Historic 4th Ward Park's Kevin Burke defines SITES as “what we design today should be able to function on its own [tomorrow]" in this nationally published ASLA article.  

North Myrtle Beach Park Charette

#WPi's Mark Baker shares design concepts of the North Myrtle Beach Park planning process with City Officials and the Public.

Mark Baker Interview: Honey Horn Art Exhibition

Mark Baker, Partner at #WPi, speaks to the importance of "sense of place" on Hilton Head Island and its new public art initiative launching this fall, the Honey Horn Art Exhibition.

Ecotourism and Sustainable Tourism Conference in HHI This Week!

"30 inspiring sessions, 50 leading industry partners, and impactful and engaging keynote presentations, the ESTC 2011 (Hilton Head Island, SC, Sept 19-21) sets the platform for ongoing dialogue promoting innovative ideas and practical solutions, driving change in global tourism."

#WPi Master Planned Pavilion Ready for Construction

Check out WPi's Bluffton Oyster Factory Park Master Plan in this Bluffton Today article: Town Beds Down Park Pavilion.

#WPi's Todd Theodore Quoted in Article

WPi's Todd Theodore comments on redevelopment in this Island Packet Article:  Hilton Head Streamlines Commercial Permit Process to Try to Spur Investment.

Experience Green in the Lowcountry

Experience Green, a new non-profit organization, launched in Beaufort County to educate and encourage sustainable business and living practices.  They often partner with local, green business to host educational sessions. Check out their website to learn more about upcoming opportunities to Experience Green.

Tony Hawks Skates Bluffton

Tony Hawk, world-renowned skateboarder, and his crew skated at Bluffton's Buckwalter skate park Thursday for the awe-inspired crowd.  Check out the Island Packet's Photos.

Tony Hawk- Buckwalter Skatepark - August 25

Before and After- Tomorrow at Noon

Coligny Beach Park @ Noon Tomorrow local Landscape Architects will discuss how they start from scratch to design parks, communities and downtowns.  See the Coligny Beach Park drawings for a before and after visualization!

Money Rains Down!

Rain-harvesting collection systems used to be for water conservation, but with water prices on the rise consumers are looking toward harvesting rain water to save dollar bills.  LandscapeOnline details this  revolutionary, rain-saving system.

8.17.11- A day to Learn about LAs

Landscape Architects all over the country are educating the public about their profession on 8.17.11 during their lunch hour.  Our local volunteers will be at the Beach Access Park @ Coligny on HHI.  Follow the signs to the Landscape Architects to see what the park looked like on paper before it was built and to learn a little more about the profession.

08.17.11

Stay tuned for more information.

Tyger River Park Preview

This 140-acre multi-use sports-park in Spartanburg, SC opens October 1!  Get a sneak-peak at the park on page 96 in the July issue of Sports Destination Magazine.  #WPi designed the park's Master Plan.

IfUD Challenge #2

The Institute for Urban Design placed a call-to-action for NYC design ideas.  They've posted the 500+ ideas on their site and now it's your turn to turn these ponderings into smart, beautiful urban design.  All the submitted designs will be launched in an exhibit and book during Urban Design Week 2011.

Thank you ASLA for sharing this great opportunity!

National Recreation and Park Association Does Good Deed

Atlanta's Selena S. Butler Park gets facelift thanks to NRPA funding as USA Today reports.

Top 10 Bounce-Back Cities

Urban Land Institute reports on the top ten cities with the strongest recession bounce-back and what's driving their resurgence.

WPi's Master Planned Tyger River Park On-Schedule

Tyger River Park, a 140-acre park near Reidville, SC,  is scheduled to open late September.  An article on GoUpstate.com details how the project has overcome internal obstacles to aim for an on-time grand opening just in-time for two ball championships this fall.

Cairo Wins TE Funding

The City of Cairo, Georgia was recently selected to receive $700,000 in Transportation Enhancement (TE) Funding through the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT).  This was the largest amount awarded within Cairo’s Congressional District (2).  The money will be used to fund streetscape improvements in downtown Cairo on Broad Street, the town’s main thoroughfare.  This stretch of road is located in Cairo’s Historic District and has many businesses and shops lining both sides.

WPi worked with Chris Addleton, Cairo City Manager, the City of Cairo, and the public in 2008 and 2009 to create a downtown master plan.  A first phase was selected from this plan which the City used to apply for TE funding from GDOT.  WPi assisted Cairo in applying for the federal monies which are distributed through the GDOT.  Now that Cairo has been selected, they plan to involve WPi to take the vision from conceptual to construction level documentation.

The goal of the streetscape improvements is eventual economic development and a pedestrian friendly downtown which all of Cairo’s residents can enjoy.  WPi has enjoyed a great relationship with the City of Cairo and looks to a continuance of that for years to come.  


Click here to visit The Cairo Messenger's website for a full write-up.

Harbour Town Links Ranked in National Magazine

Harbour Town Golf Links ranked #4 in Celebrated Living's "Platinum List" among the top 20 national and international courses.  The article states this course "boast[s] some of the most breathtaking landscapes in the world".  Congratulations Harbour Town Golf Links!  #WPi is pleased to have worked on the Sea Pines Clubhouse project for this course. 

Tony Hawk Among First to Skate #H4W Skatepark; Compliments #WPi Design Team

 

Historic Fourth Ward Skate Park Grand Opening Celebration

Dave Malcolm of WPi will celebrate the H4W Grand Opening with the skate community this Saturday.  #WPi provided the Master Planning Services for Phase II of the H4W park.  Click here to RSVP

Happy Birthday WPi

WPi celebrates its 23rd birthday in June's Creating Great Places. 
 

Walkability.

Lately, I've read a lot of articles citing the rise in importance of people-friendly, walkable (sub)urban master plans.  In all the articles, walkability was referenced as a theory or a practice that needs to be applied for our health and happiness. I just uncovered this great article from a year ago that references a website that can calculate how walkable your house (or potential new house) is to amenities.  Quantify your house's walkability by checking out the Wall Street Journal article and the Walk Score website.

P.S. My home got a 32.

#WPi Wins Lynn Haven Main Street Revitalization Project

“Throughout Florida there is a growing interest in improving the appearance and economic stability of historic downtown business districts. In many communities, the main street is in a serious state of decline. Effective solutions to the problems of deteriorating building stock, loss of business, and the waning economic strength of downtown are crucial to the survival of the city itself. 

The Florida Main Street Program is an integral part of the state's historic preservation program. The state program and the national model on which it is based are applicable only to communities with historic resources sufficient to create a well-defined sense of place, a tangible link with the past. The Main Street revitalization process is, then, one of rediscovery rather than recreation. The Program does not deal in marketing themes (other than an honest acknowledgement of a community's heritage) and does not engage in recreating or fabricating traditional commercial centers. Such recreation is not historic preservation.

Main Street cities hire a full-time downtown manager, establish a Main Street Board (with representatives from the public and private sectors), and develop a local program to bring about revitalization of the traditional commercial core.” The Board is responsible to choose vendors to assist in the design of a plan which can be implemented. WPi is excited to have been selected by the Lynn Haven Main Street Program as the vendor (and Landscape Architect) to provide conceptual planning services for the Florida Avenue streetscape in downtown Lynn Haven.

Visit the Florida Division of Historical Resources and the National Trust for Historic Preservation sites to read more on this important program.

#WPi's May E-blast Released!

WPi's May issue of "Creating Great Places!" focuses on the Historic Savannah Harbor's Hutchinson Island.  Click here to learn more about the island and to see the master plan.

Does structrual design lead to obesity, diabetes and depression?

Dr. Richard Jackson, former head of the National Center for Environmental Health at the CDC, said there are “deep-rooted structural issues with the built environment that are creating epidemics of obesity, diabetes, and depression.” in this week's ASLA's The Dirt.

Snedeker Sneaks Past Everyone, Wins Heritage in Playoff

What an exciting Heritage Golf Tournament on Hilton Head Island!  The final-round leaderboard shifted 4 times Sunday afternoon to unveil what seemed like an unlikely winner at the start of the day.  If you missed the action, check out the full article here.

United We Serve

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, "Life's most persistent and urgent question is: 'What are you doing for others?'"  The MLK Day of Service website answers this question.  Find out where you can impact your community on April 30th at mlkday.gov.

#WPi Releases April Edition of Creating Great Places

This month's Creating Great Places features the beauiful sports fields at Oscar Fraser Community Park in Bluffton, South Carolina.

#ASLA Video Animates Eco Planting

Interesting animation on how to save energy (and the planet) through strategic landscaping in this short video: Designing our Future: Sustainable Landscapes.

Happy April!

Free online issue of Landscape Architecture Magazine in celebration of National Landscape Architecture Month!  Check it out!

Park Economics: Red Fields to Green Fields

Can demolishing failed commercial properties to create parks help a struggling economy?  A billion-dollar hedge fund manager & Georgia Tech tell us in this #NRPA article.

Free Ticket to HHI's First Earth Day Celebration!

Learn new sustainability tips and tricks and about the island's new recycling program at this family friendly event at Shelter Cove.  Register online and get in for free! 

Florida Legislation Update

Landscape architecture will not be deregulated in Florida.  Congratulations to ASLA and its advocates for this great win!

#WPi Published in LASN Magazine

WPi's landscape planning and design work at Simpsonville's Heritage Park is featured in this six-page article (Pg 90).

#FLASLA Advocacy Alert

FL approved a Bill which seeks to deregulate landscape architecture. Get the latest updates and "Call to Action" at flasla.org.

#WPi #Dave_Malcolm Quoted in Lake Tobesofkee Article

WPi is providing the Master Plan for Lake Tobesofkee.  Read the below article from Macon.com to learn more about the plans for a water park, conference center and rental cabin at the lake.

Tobesofkee plan may have up to $51M price tag

By MIKE STUCKA - mstucka@macon.com

A plan to expand the offerings at Lake Tobesofkee with a water park and a conference center weighs in between $38.7 million to $51.4 million, according to figures announced Tuesday.
Consultants said the lake’s master plan could be built in phases and begin with less ambitious additions, such as more picnic shelters and pavilions, then perhaps 10 cabins a year.
The plan presented Tuesday would improve the 1,800-acre lake’s five major parks. Sandy Beach Park, which is now open only part time, would get the biggest transformation and use a majority of the plan’s money. Sandy Beach’s water park would run $11 million to $15 million, according to estimates by Wood+Partners Inc. of Hilton Head Island, S.C.
The conference center would cost about $3.5 million, while some 42 cabins would cost about $5.1 million. The conference center could host three events at the same time, and the cabins would be needed for the conference center and other activities.
“To support the conference center, you have to have lodging,” said David Malcolm, a vice president of Wood+Partners Inc.
Total costs at Sandy Beach would run $26.7 million to $35.1 million, the estimates show.
Other parks would get more modest makeovers. Claystone Park would get $4.5 million to $6.2 million in work, including seven picnic shelters and three enclosed shelters, plus cabins. Arrowhead Park would get 31 more cabins, typically more rustic looking, plus other improvements to total $6.7 million to $8.7 million.
The area known as the Duck Ponds would stay largely undeveloped but would get a better bathroom to accommodate visiting Scout troops and other groups. That would cost roughly $300,000.
And Flint Rock, near the Lake Tobesofkee dam, would be transformed into a location that could be used for weddings or family reunions, including a gazebo on an island. Those costs would run about $561,000 to about $893,000.
Consultants said the plan could be funded through a variety of sources, from sales-tax collections to partnerships with private investors.
Bibb County Commission Chairman Sam Hart said county commissioners likely would vote on the plan.
Malcolm said the county should take ownership of the plan and run with it. “This is your park, your vision, your dream,” he said.

#ASLA's Call to Assist in Japan's Recovery Efforts

ASLA reaches out to the IFLA to identify areas where members can aid in recovery efforts of last week's Earthquake and Tsunami.

City of Walterboro Posts #WPi Streetscape Master Plan Recommendations

WPi was selected to provide master plan recommendations for the City of Walterboro's I-95 Business Loop Streetscape Corridor.  See the plan details at the City of Walterboro's website.

#WPi Releases March Edition of "Creating New Places"!

WPi's Award Winning Design at the Marriott Grand Ocean Resort- Hilton Head Island, SC is the Highlight of this Month's Creating New Places!

Marriott International to Spin Off Timeshare Business

Marriott International Announces Plan to Spin Off Timeshare Business into a Separate Entity Under the Marriott Brand as Reported on their Website.

Seminar Alert!

Learn how to create a real estate development pro-forma in Microsoft Excel at ULI’s Charleston seminar on March 7-8, 2011.

Check out creative Home & Garden ideas at the Landscaping Network

Spring is around the corner!  Browse hundreds of creative Home & Garden photos online at the Landscaping Network.

WPi's Mark Baker featured in Bragg Media's Blog

Bragg Media's Blogspot

ASLA's "The Dirt" features Building a Park out of Waste

ASLA The Dirt

New! Winter 2011 Palmetto Press has been released by SCASLA

Winter 2011 Palmetto Press

Check it out! New Photos of Historic Fourth Ward Under Construction! #WPi is providing Master Planning Services for Phase II

"Revitalizing Communities with Parks" Featured in this week's Addition of ASLA's "The Dirt"

The Dirt

Philly Making the Move - Planning Parks Fit for Seniors featured Online via The Inquirer

Making Parks Fit for Seniors

What A Great Movement..."Turning Toxic Real Estate into Parks" featured in ASLA's The Dirt

The Dirt

Stella del Mare Featured in LASN's January 2011 "Custom Residential" Issue - #WPi provided Master Planning Services

January 2011 LASN Issue
Stella on page 38 to 47

Lake Tobesofkee Master Plan Revealed - #WPi is currently providing master planning services for this recreation project.

Lake Tobesofkee

New! #WPi January E-blast - Happy New Year to All!

January E-blast

"10 Best Cities for Recreation" as featured on Parenting.com

10 Best Cities for Recreation

Powerful Article featured in ASLA's The Dirt - "Landscape Architects Must Fight for Public Health"

The Dirt

Give Back This Holiday Season! Volunteer Opportunities - Extreme Makeover Home Edition is Coming to Beaufort County, SC!

Volunteer Here

National Recreation and Park Association Just Released Several Papers Focused on the Benefits of Park and Recreation Services in Communities

NRPA

Water-Sewer Problems Solved - Historic Fourth Ward Park in the News! #WPi is responsible for Master Planning Phase II

Historic Fourth Ward Park

New! December 2010 E-blast - Happy Holidays from WPi!

WPi December 2010 E-blast

Newest Issue of WEEDS - WPi Energy + Environmental Design Solutions!

CLICK HERE for WEEDS 2010
Feature Articles Include:
Expanding the “Green Initiative”, SITESTM Pilot Project Selection & Raising the Bar...plus Much, Much More!

Update on Green Rating Systems - LEED 2012 Rating System Draft Released

Abstracted from:  Sustainable Sites Initiative Winter 2010 - SITES Update

Green Rating Systems Hold Public Comment Period
LEED 2012 Rating System Draft Released
The United States Green Building Council (USGBC) has released a draft version of the LEED 2012 rating system for public comment. Beginning November 8, 2010, and running through January 14, 2011, the first comment period will be followed by a second in July and August of 2011. The final release of the rating system is expected by late 2012.

LEED 2012 has expanded and revised several changes that affect the building site. The Building Design and Construction (BD&C) tool includes expanded credits in the newly created Location and Transportation section, including a prerequisite to avoid prime farmland. There is also a new soil restoration credit in the Sustainable Sites section. The LEED Neighborhood Development (ND) rating tool contains requirements in its Green Infrastructure and Buildings section for identifying and preserving heritage or champion trees, establishing protection zones for trees during construction, and reducing invasive vegetation. Learn more about the changes.

New! Winter 2010 Florida Recreation & Park Association Journal - See WPi on page 4!

FRPA Journal - Winter 2010

HHI Foundation Gives Out Funds to Non-profit Groups - Mitchelville is one of them!

WPi is providing planning services for the Mitchelville Preservation Project. Click Here for more information on WPi.

Mitchelville Article

ASLA's The Dirt Features "Projects That Use Collaborative Approaches and Reclaim Public Space"

ASLA'S The Dirt