Meet the Team Jim Klein Owner, Principal, Landscape Architect, ASLA Mr. Klein, with forty-five years of experience in the field, is well known for his extensive expertise in planning and design of all kinds of “long and skinny places” including river corridors, byways, heritage areas, touring routes, greenways, and trails. Jim served as the lead landscape architect for Virginia’s Route 50 Traffic Calming Project—a fifteen year national demonstration project for rural traffic calming. Mr. Klein's greenway and trail planning and design efforts including the design of the northern section of the Anacostia River Trail in Washington DC and Maryland suburbs, the Capital Crescent and the Metropolitan Branch Trails in Silver Spring and Takoma Park, MD, the East Peoria Riverfront Trails Plan, and the Neabsco Creek Boardwalk, a prime destination on the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail. Municipal scale active transportation planning experience includes the Peoria Heights Active Transportation Plan, Bowie Trails Master Plan, and Brookeville’s Active Transportation Comprehensive Plan amendment, Mr. Klein has graduate and professional degrees in Landscape Architecture from the University of Oregon and a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from the University of Vermont. Elisabeth Lardner Owner, Principal, Landscape Architect, Planner, AICP Elisabeth Lardner has been practicing landscape architecture, planning, and urban design for forty-five years. She is a graduate of Harvard University’s Urban Design department with the honor of distinction, and the University of Oregon’s Landscape Architecture department. Ms. Lardner is highly skilled at working with community groups and other stakeholders to establish long-term partnerships in support of the implementation and management of public spaces. Ms. Lardner led the firm’s work on the award-winning master plan for Hindman, Kentucky, which started as a community-based development plan and resulted in implementation of 41 million dollars in investments in community infrastructure, open space enhancements, and transportation improvements over a ten-year period. Ms. Lardner is well known for Lardner/Klein’s park and recreation work including trail development projects in highly sensitive natural areas and cultural sites. Ms. Lardner is completing trail projects for the Idaho Nature Conservancy at the Silver Creek Preserve and for Baltimore County at Oregon Ridge Park. Rebecca Sibinga MLA, MArch, Landscape Architectural Designer Rebecca graduated from University of Pennsylvania with Masters degrees in Architecture and Landscape Architecture, and is preparing for licensure while working with L/KLA. Rebecca embraces multidisciplinary systems thinking: how does it all work, and what elements are vital for it to work for its users better? Rebecca has worked on public landscape projects at L/KLA, including concept designs for Oregon Ridge Park’s master planning process, trail assessment, and park master plans for Hopkins Quarry in Port Deposit, MD. She has managed and developed GIS data for sites ranging from parks to corridor scales; conducted and documented field reconnaissance; prepared concept plans, AutoCAD Civil 3D drawings, renderings, maps, and graphics for many of L/KLA's recent projects. Contact Us info@lardnerklein.com phone (703) 739-0972 fax (703) 739-0973 120 N Alfred St # 100, Alexandria, VA 22314, USA Home About Projects

Anacostia River Trail Washington DC - Maryland Rails-to-Trails Conservancy Trail of the Month August 2020

Links Project Pages New Road Corridor Master Plan Cameron County Dark Sky Park Parks, Trails, and Natural Areas New River Gorge Stacked Loop Trail System Laurel Hill Resource Management Plan, Fairfax County, VA Elklick Woodlands Natural Resource Management Plan Rural Villages Study, M-NCPPC Treeless Area Technical Manual, Fairfax County Park Authority, VA You and Your Land - A Homeowner's Guide for the Potomac River Watershed Landscape Architecture Design Riverside Park Phase 1 Renovations Ribbon Cutting, News & Advance, May 19, 2016 Allen Pond Park Master Plan, Bowie, MD Facility Plan for the Capital Crescent and Metropolitan Branch Trails Community Development Initiative Master Plan and Site Development, City of Hindman/Knott County, KY Merrifield Streetscape Design Manual, Fairfax County, VA Infrastructure and Resiliency Anacostia Riverwalk Trail Kenilworth Section Design Unveiled Neabsco Creek Boardwalk Crossing Grand Opening Residents Celebrate Opening of Neabsco Creek Boardwalk Neabsco Creek Boardwalk Brings New View to Woodbridge Route 50 Traffic Calming Measures , Loudoun and Fauquier Counties, VA Ped - Bike Image Library You and Your Land - A Homeowner's Guide for the Potomac River Watershed Treeless Area Technical Manual, Fairfax County Park Authority, VA Context Sensitive Solutions for Maryland's Scenic Byways, MD SHA Urban/Community Design Van Dyck Park Master Plan - 2018 Maple Avenue Commercial Corridor Zoning Code Update Consultant Picked for Maple Ave. Vision Fort Ward Park and Museum Area Management Plan - 2015 Maple Avenue Commercial Corridor Zoning Code Update, Vienna VA - 2014 Rural Villages Study, Prince Georges County, Maryland Community Appearance Manual and Highway Beautification Plan, Cary, NC Cultural Heritage Tourism Oxford Working Waterfront Strategic Plan Commissioners Draft September 2017 Rock Hall Waterfront Master Plan - Adopted February 2017 Bellevue Village Master Plan - June 2017 Tilghman Village Master Plan -June 2017 California Historic Route 66 Corridor Management Plan - May 2015 Bayshore Heritage Byway Bayshore Heritage Byway: Appendix Walton Road Historic Byway Corridor Management Plan Maryland Historic National Road Corridor Partnership Plan Update Flight 93 National Memorial Travel Corridor Study Brandywine Valley Byway Corridor Management Plan Delaware River Valley Scenic Byway Corridor Management Plan FHWA Scenic Byways Community Pages Maryland Scenic Byways Journey Through Hallowed Ground Corridor Management Plan Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail CMP, MD Crossroads of the Revolution National Heritage Area Management Plan, NJ Millstone Valley Scenic Byway , Somerset County, NJ Blue Crab Byway, Lower Eastern Shore of Maryland Charles Street National Scenic Byway, Baltimore, MD US 15 Catoctin Mountain Scenic Byway, Frederick County, MD

The Cameron County Dark Sky Park Master Site Plan represents the revitalization of a reclaimed landfill near Emporium, PA. A grant has been awarded to the Lumber Heritage Region and Cameron County for enhancing public access to the site. The master site planning process includes research, public input, and analysis that leads to a plan illustrating the size, type and location of physical improvements and management needs for Cameron County’s Dark Sky Park. Cameron County Dark Sky Park Master Site Plan PROJECT OVERVIEW The Cameron County Dark Sky Park Master Site Plan represents the revitalization of a reclaimed landfill not far from Emporium, Pennsylvania. A grant for developing planning strategies for county-owned land has been awarded to the Lumber Heritage Region and Cameron County for enhancing public access to the site. Pennsylvania's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has granted permission for limited development of the property, with minor stipulations aimed to protect and maintain the integrity of the underlying landfill. This project is expected to serve Cameron County residents for nature-based recreation and education, and as a draw for eco-tourism, attracting night-sky and wildlife-viewing enthusiasts to the region. Consideration is being given to pursuing an International Dark Sky Place certification from the DarkSky International. Currently, the nearby Cherry Springs State Park holds the only Dark Sky Place certificate in Pennsylvania. This project is sponsored by the Lumber Heritage Region (LHR) and Cameron County, funded in part by a grant from the Community Conservation Partnerships Program and the Heritage Areas Program under the administration of the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bureau of Recreation and Conservation. MASTER SITE PLAN The master site planning process includes research, public input, and analysis that leads to a plan illustrating the size, type and location of physical improvements and management needs for Cameron County’s Dark Sky Park. As part of this process Cameron County has formed a Dark Sky Committee to help gather public input and establish priorities for specific improvements that are needed to support the use of site for dark sky viewing and education as well as compatible daytime uses. Three public meetings are anticipated. The tentative schedule is noted in the "file cabinet” where information will be added about each step in the planning process as they proceed. The purpose of this web page is to provide easy access to resources, presentations, meeting notes, draft and final reports utilized in the conduct of study. Do you have a suggestion or idea? Send an email to the planning team: (click here ) Meeting is now from 6:00 to 7:30 pm SCHEDULE AND FILE CABINET : (CLICK RED LINKS TO DOWNLOAD FILES BELOW) Initial Field Work/Site Research: April/May 2024 Dark Sky Committee Meeting #1 April 9 2024 Public Meeting #1 June 6, 2024 What are the overall goals for the Dark Sky Park? How should the Dark Sky Park be utilized? What are compatible daytime activities? What are the issues and concerns that need to be addressed? Public Meeting Information Cameron County Dark Sky Park Location Display Boards Handout Slide Presentation Dark Sky Committee Meeting #2 August 2024 Review options and alternatives Dark Sky Committee Meeting #3 September 2024 Discuss management and phasing considerations Public Meeting #2 November 14th 2024 6:00 - 7:30 pm Cameron County Camber of Commerce (NEW LOCATION) 24 W 4th St Emporium, PA 15834 Review draft master site plan and provide input on priorities for implementation Slide Presentation Display Boards Media Release Handout Dark Sky Committee Meeting #4 December 2024 Review plan and finalize phasing and implementation recommendations Public Meeting/Cameron County Commissioners/Lumber Heritage Region Board April 2025 Plan approval and all final revisions PRESENTATION , to be provided MASTER SITE PLAN , to be provided

Watkins Regional Park Master Park Development Plan The Maryland-National Capital Park Planning Commission selected L/KLA and team consultants to prepare a master plan for Watkins Regional Park located in Upper Marlboro, Prince George’s County, MD. Park inventories and analyses, facility and maintenance surveys, staff interviews, public meetings, and on-line surveys provided direction and perspective in solidifying a framework and vision for the park. Areas of focus included park circulation and neighborhood connections; parking; revenue and use analysis; park amenities and siting; events and programming; inventory and protection of natural resources; and infrastructure needs. Watkins Regional Park was initially developed in the late 1960’s. Improvements have been made over the years, but many facilities remain as installed over forty years ago. This 835-acre property receives over one million visitors per year. More than half of the park is protected by various environmental and policy constraints from active development. Infrastructure (athletic fields, farm, picnic facilities, restrooms, etc.) is in need of upgrading, and pressures for additional uses continue to challenge the park’s operations. Areas of focus include park circulation, parking, revenue and use analysis, park amenities and siting, events and programming, inventory and protection of natural resources, and infrastructure needs. The plan recognizes the strengths of the existing park and builds off its successes through enhancements to playground and family oriented gathering spaces, nature center, farm/agriculture, and sports facilities. Recommended improvements to picnic and play features include the introduction of social hubs with seating and food options, a sprayground, and parking renovations. An outdoor pavilion is recommended for accommodating special events and revenue-generating programs. Enhancements to the “northern athletic complex” will be supported with new fields, parking, trails, and picnic shelters at the “southern athletic complex.” The Watkins Regional Park Master Park Development Plan was developed with an open and collaborative public engagement process. An array of outreach methods were used, including: public meetings and focus groups; working with an appointed stakeholder group; interviews with key staff and agency representatives; an on-line survey; a participatory dot poster survey with displays at the Watkins Nature Center (WNC) and the Largo/Kettering/Perrywood Community Center; and attendance at park events. A copy of the Watkins Regional Park Master Park Development Plan is available online here .

City of Alexandria Open Space Master Plan 2017 Updated Implementation Strategy Lardner/Klein was selected as project director for the City of Alexandria’s Open Space Master Plan 2017 Updated Implementation Strategy. The plan addresses the ongoing pressure to provide protected open space in a growing community and recognizes the City’s successes to date and the challenges inherent in continuing such successes. Working from the 2002 Open Space Master Plan recommendations, this implementation strategy makes recommendations for the next ten years with actions in support of the City’s desire to maintain appropriate acres of protected open space for its residents. These actions include a focus on data collection and analysis, policy, and opportunities to form and support innovative partnerships between public and private sectors. The recommended strategies and actions in this Update support the fifteen goals established in the 2002 City of Alexandria Open Space Master Plan. Work to update the strategy plan in 2016 included verifying easement recordations, updating GIS mapping and acreage counts, defining active and passive open space uses, defining and mapping impervious surfaces found in the City’s protected open space, performing a Strengths, Weakness, Opportunities and Threat (SWOT) analysis, and combining these efforts into a set of recommendations for implementation over the next decade. The plan was adopted in February 2017. A copy of the plan can be viewed from the City of Alexandria's website by clicking here .

Upperville Park Concept Plan + Playground Uppervillle, VA L/KLA updated a conceptual master plan for the Upperville Community Park. The concept plan addressed the following key program elements: Historical context of the Upperville battlefield is taken into consideration, as views from the park toward battlefield lands are preserved and existing battlefield interpretive panels and integrated with the design of a pergola to create more of a space for appreciating the battlefield views Materials and construction practices are proposed that are in keeping with the styles and vernacular of Upperville and applied for all park structures. An accessible pedestrian path links the existing interpretive signs and proposed shade pergola to the proposed parking area and restrooms. A parking area with permeable pavers or other porous pavement options is proposed to reduce runoff and address New features include architecturally appropriate structures for a picnic pavilion and to house portable restrooms A nature playground incorporating black locust (Robinia) play components include a swing set, slide,climbing structure, and Robinia log obstacle course. Nature playgrounds are intended to encourage imaginative play and blend with a natural setting, as is appropriate at this historical site. Shade from the existing trees and the pastoral view south makes for a pleasant playground and picnic setting. Driplines of trees were avoided, as this concept takes tree preservation into consideration, with the maximum quantity of existing trees to be preserved.

Infrastructure and Resiliency A site's ecosystem is our foundation for decision-making. Natural infrastructure provides the framework and structure for L/KLA's design and planning decisions. Resilient landscapes require consideration, understanding and incorporation of the natural infrastructure of a site —its soil, wetlands and forests—including restoration. Built infrastructure must respond to and enhance the underlying natural systems, recognizing the carrying capacity of a site. In our urbanizing world, pressure continues to grow on making more with less. Looking at ways to leverage assets and provide for multi-use on a site, understanding the tensions between the need to protect cultural and natural resources and provide for needed community built infrastructure such as active recreation facilities, transportation systems, trails and greenway networks are challenges in which L/KLA is well familiar. Changes to an existing landscape must be made with respect and a keen knowledge of the site and its history and existing conditions. Whether through public interest design or private design and planning efforts, investment in infrastructure must combine social, economic and green issues in a holistic manner. L/KLA has deep experience in built infrastructure having authored articles on Context Sensitive Design, served as a team member for the Route 50 Rural Traffic Calming Demonstration Project and developed construction documents for many trails, greenways, parks, and site plans. Port Deposit Working Waterfront Master Plan - Port Deposit, MD Tilghman Island Working Waterfront Master Plan Route 50 Traffic Calming Rock Hall Waterfront OTHER PROJECTS Context Sensitive Design, Transportation and Traffic Calming Neabsco Creek Boardwalk Nachusa Grasslands Visitor Use Plan Route 50 Traffic Calming, Town of Middleburg Route 50 Traffic Calming Measures Fauquier and Loudoun Counties, VA Louisville-Southern Indiana Ohio River Bridge Project Appomattox Courthouse, VA , Route 24 Traffic Calming Plan Saint Mary's College Pedestrian Safety Plan Route 1 Lorton (VDOT) Reston Wiehle Avenue (VDOT) Transportation Guidelines and Manuals The King's Highway Historic Roadway Guidelines Maryland Historic National Road Model Development and Design Guidelines Maryland Historic National Road Historic Roadway Guidelines Brandywine Valley Landscape Guidelines Ecological Planning and Resource Management Plans Elklick Woodlands Natural Resource Management Plan Anacostia Riverwalk Trail, Kenilworth section, Washington, D.C. Shenandoah National Park Related Lands Study Martic Township Environmental Inventory and Assessment Greater Lewes Resource Inventory Old Colchester Park and Preserve NRMP, Fairfax County Park Authority, Fairfax, VA Resource Management Guidelines and Manuals New River Gorge National River Landscape Maintenance Plan New River Gorge National River Vista Management Plan You and Your Land - A Homeowner's Guide for the Potomac River Watershed Treeless Area Technical Manual, Fairfax County Park Authority, VA Context Sensitive Solutions for Maryland's Scenic Byways, MD SHA

Strategic Livability Plan for Utah's Scenic Byways and Backways Program Utah’s twenty-six scenic byways play an important role in the livability and quality of life in the many communities that are located along these well-traveled routes. The Strategic Livability Plan outlined strategies needed to preserve and protect the intrinsic qualities along the byways and to enhance economic development for byway communities through ongoing tourism and other community-based and state agency initiatives. The Utah Office of Tourism hired a multidisciplinary team led by Lardner/Klein Landscape Architects (L/KLA) to assist with this strategic planning effort. The plan outlined the best practices for livability and sustainability and identified new and creative approaches to funding enhancements that encourage the many visitors from around the world or around the state to stay longer and spend more time in Utah’s rural communities. L/KLA, working with the Utah Office of Tourism and local Scenic Byway partners, developed a detailed plan for welcoming and introducing visitors to the state and its scenic byways. The plan included short-term and long-term program goals, program funding models, operating and facility guidelines and strategic marketing initiatives. In collaboration with representatives from each of the state’s byways and cooperating agencies, L/KLA developed a new vision for Utah’s Scenic Byways to emphasize collaboration among agencies, byways as economic development tools and as opportunities to increase leverage for funding and financing of related preservation and enhancement efforts. Click here to read the Strategic Livability Plan for Utah's Scenic Byways and Backways Program (November 2015)

Maple Avenue Commercial Code Update Vienna, VA L/KLA was the prime contractor for assisting the Town of Vienna in articulating their vision for their commercial corridor and then updating the zoning code to reflect that vision. Team members Clarion and Seth Harry & Associates supported the work effort through code authoring and illustrative and development analysis. Vienna’s commercial corridor runs more than a mile through the heart of the community in a typical strip retail/commercial pattern. With the new Metro stations coming to nearby Tysons, the Town Council embarked on a long delayed update to their commercial code with the intent of encouraging taller buildings in a more urban, pedestrian supportive environment. Premised on the understanding that change will occur as Tysons to the town’s east and Reston to the town’s west grow, the effort asked the community how they wished to address and shape that change to benefit the Town of Vienna. Several existing sites were selected for a capacity analysis (see illustrations), demonstrating what changes could occur and what infrastructure such as structured parking would be required to support the change. From this exercise, Steering Committee members were better able to understand the potential change and to offer ideas of how best to shape it. Desires ranged from better building modulation to support for pedestrian gathering spaces to bicycle parking and interest in bioinfiltration and other green building techniques. Team members worked for over two years with a Mayor-appointed Steering Committee. Many public forums and hearings were held that shaped the final proposal, adopted by the Town Council with a 6-1 vote in September 2014.

Simpson Park Playground + Passive Lawn Renovation L/KLA redesigned the existing playground and passive lawn at Simpson Stadium Park in the Del Ray neighborhood of Alexandria. The project entailed: reshaping of existing pedestrian circulation paths and street connections; opening up and re-grading the passive lawn for more usable space; incorporating natural play and updating play equipment; developing a planting plan including additional shade trees and a children's garden; and generating a design scheme that will allow for multiple-generation and inclusive passive and active recreation. Public art was integrated in the design with the inclusion of the artist team May+Watkins Design. This collaboration of design consultant and artist was an unprecedented approach by the City of Alexandria. Community meetings and and an online survey were part of the public engagement strategy. A ribbon cutting event was held in March 2019 to celebrate the re-opening of Simpson Park Playground.

Neabsco Creek Boardwalk Prince William County, Virginia L/KLA designed the Neabsco Creek Boardwalk with the help of a multi-disciplined team that included Wiley|Wilson (civil and structural), Environmental Systems Analysis, Inc. (environmental), The Robert B. Balter Company (geotechnical), John Milner Associates, now CHG, Inc. (cultural), Dawson Associates (interpretive signage), and Dominion Surveyors. L/KLA’s collaborative design approach helped to address the complex issues associated with flooding, storm surge, and related environmental permitting. The Neabsco Creek Boardwalk Crossing is a critical linkage of the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail connecting Rippon Lodge and Rippon Landing Park with the Metz Wetlands. It provides opportunities to link nearby neighborhoods with Neabsco Creek and with each other. The boardwalk crossing is a regional destination for wildlife viewing, outdoor education and nature appreciation for all ages and abilities. It provides significant educational opportunities for students ranging from pre-K to graduate school, telling the story of the ebb and flow of Neabsco Creek and its inhabitants through the day, month, year, and over our lifetime and beyond. Landing areas at each end of the boardwalk are designed to include orientation space suitable for a classroom with staging areas near each landing to accommodate school field trips. A floating pier at the south landing allows students of all ages to get up close and personal with the aquatic life of Neabsco Creek. Permitting for the Boardwalk included a Conditional Letter of Map Revision (FEMA), NEPA, USACOE, and various state and local regulatory approvals. The 3,200-linear foot boardwalk is designed for all ages and abilities, and includes two long span crossings of Neabsco Creek, five additional short span crossings of tributaries, two landings, an observation deck and water level platforms for classroom use. Construction began in fall of 2017. A ribbon cutting event was held in early June 2019. In August 2020, the project was awarded a Gold Medal award from the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality. Neasbsco Creek Boardwalk Receives State Environmental Award Virginia DEQ Gold Medal August 2020 Neasbsco Creek Boardwalk was the Recipient of a Virginia ASLA merit award in the General Design category in 2019 Click here for the Neabsco Creek Boardwalk Prospectus (preliminary design 09/16/13) Click here to read Neabsco Creek Boardwalk Opening Draws Rave Reviews In Woodbridge article in the Patch (06/04/19) Click here to read Neabsco Creek Boardwalk brings new view to Woodbridge article in Inside Nova (06/01/19)