The American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) recently honored recipients of the 2018 ASLA Professional Awards, recognizing the best in landscape architecture from around the globe.
The Blood Run Cultural Landscape Master Plan was chosen to receive an Honor Award in the Analysis and Planning Category, a project led by Quinn Evans Architects, with consulting services provided by MSA Senior Landscape Architect, Dan Williams.
The Master Plan provided a comprehensive framework for the establishment of a new, 3,880-acre park, spanning from the northwest corner of Iowa into southeastern South Dakota at the Blood Run National Historic Landmark. The focus of the plan was to design a place that respects, preserves, protects, and emphasizes the unique heritage of the study area. It serves to strengthen appreciation of regional American Indian heritage, local history and natural resources while fostering understanding, use, and enjoyment through education, interpretation, and compatible recreation.
A highly collaborative effort, the creation of the plan involved close and consistent communication with a wide variety stakeholders and Tribal representatives, including individuals from the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska, the Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska, the Omaha Tribe of Nebraska, the Otoe-Missouria Tribe of Oklahoma, the Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma, the Ponca Tribe of Oklahoma and a long list of persons related to archaeological, historical, parks, preservation and conservation efforts within the region.
“The fact that this project demonstrates that they went in consultation with the various tribes and reached an outcome that everyone collectively agreed on and was excited about is really significant,” commented the 2018 Awards Jury.
Dan Williams, PLA, ASLA, AHLP and senior landscape architect at MSA, provided consulting services for the project, helping to further refine parameters and placements for such elements as restored prairie land areas, savannas, bio-reserves, demonstration/education zones, sacred activities sites, sensitive resource trails, preserved woodland areas, visitor amenities and canoe/kayak launches along the Big Sioux River.
“It was a true honor to be a part of the Blood Run project,” commented Williams. “It is a beautiful and sacred landscape, one that needs to be rightfully appreciated and protected. Congratulations to the Quinn Evans team and their well-deserved award.”
Quinn Evans and MSA were recognized at the President’s Dinner and awards ceremony during the ASLA Annual Meeting and Expo in Philadelphia on October 22, 2018.
Learn more about the Blood Run Cultural Landscape Master Plan as well as the project’s ASLA Honor Award narrative and congratulations to all the 2018 ASLA award winners.
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