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.

Intelligence Community Campus Bethesda, Maryland As a project subconsultant, L/KLA developed the integrated campus landscape architecture plan and a signature entry design for the multi-year redevelopment of the historic, 30-acre campus in Bethesda, MD. The team composed work from multiple, ongoing SATOCC Building Task Orders into a comprehensive long-term campus redevelopment plan that recognizes operational budget limitations and is considerate of the capital program. Planning efforts included the integration of historical building friezes removed during demolition, presentations to and interactions with the neighboring community and the successful incorporation of security and accessibility constraints. The multi-phase implementation strategy is integrated with the multi-year campus building program. Elisabeth Lardner was recognized as a key team leader and “go-to” consultant; entrusted with primary client liaison during regulatory reviews, community design development meetings and owner/client design reviews. The Potomac River palisade setting is reflected in the concept plan which integrates landscape amenities with stormwater management best practices, incorporating the working landscape with the aesthetic landscape. It presents a coherent, attractive, aesthetically pleasing and engaging campus environment respectful of operational needs and secure space requirements. Click link below to read about the campus Ribbon Cutting in 2015

Urban/Community Design Communities where we work attest to our ability to understand and convey the values they hold dear. We understand how development controls can be shaped to result in creative, sustainable, and resilient environments that may be transformed over time incrementally. Working together, L/KLA identifies the spirit of the place and frames it with the community's vision to develop plans and places that can be financed, implemented and cared for by the community, often with limited access to funding sources. We have written design guidelines and standards for urban, suburban and commercial corridors; for management of rural and culturally rich landscapes; for off-road bike trails and wild lands; and for homeowners' associations and single properties. Most all of the firm’s work incorporates a lively and rich public engagement process, resulting in a product that belongs to the community and is not a 'style sheet' plopped in place. City of Fairfax Old Town Streetscape Plan & Main Street Streetscape Design Alexandria Open Space Master Plan 2017 Updated Implementation Strategy Maple Avenue Commerical Code Update - Vienna, VA New Road Corridor Master Plan Watkins Regional Park Master Park Development Plan - PG County, MD OTHER PROJECTS Community Resiliency Planning The following projects reflect our work with traditional maritime communities seeking to preserve their working waterfronts while at the same time adapting to rapidly changing conditions associated with climate change, sea-level rise, and the maritime industry. Bellevue Village Master Plan Tilghman Village Master Plan Rock Hall Waterfront Master Plan Oxford Working Waterfront Strategic Plan Urban and Community Design Vienna's Maple Avenue Commercial Code Update, Vienna, VA Town of Chincoteague Community Revitalization Plan and Design Services Urban Landscape + Forestry Plan, Town of Culpeper, VA City as a Park Parks Master Plan, City of Charlottesville, VA St. Mary's College Pedestrian Safety Plan, Historic St. Mary's City, MD Community Development Initiative Master Plan and Site Development, City of Hindman/Knott County, KY Rural Villages Study, M-NCPPC, Prince George's County, MD Public Participation and Involvement Simsbury Center Design Charrette and Concept Plan Chincoteague Revitalization Plan Neighborhoods and Community Associations Cardinal Forest Homeowners Association River Bluffs Community Entrance Penderbrook Master Plan Streetscape/Community Entrances/Commercial Corridors Route 50 Traffic Calming, Town of Middleburg Kings Highway Gills Neck Master Plan, Lewes, DE Village of Midlothian, VA Village of Ettrick, VA, Community Appearance Manual and Highway Beautification Plan Lexington/Rockbridge County Entrance Corridor Study, VA Sandston Commercial Corridor Laskin Road Corridor Ivy Road Design Study Route 1 Corridor Study Merrifield Streetscape Design Manual, Fairfax County, VA Flight 93 National Memorial Travel Corridor Study Maryland Historic National Road Corridor Partnership Plan Update

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)

Ideas + Perspectives Neabsco Boardwalk: 'Virginia's Best Kept Secret' February 16, 2026 Dylan Mercer writes: "Tucked away in Woodbridge, Virginia, there’s a trail that makes you feel like you’ve stumbled into a nature documentary. Neabsco Creek Boardwalk Trail isn’t your typical dirt path through the woods. This elevated wooden walkway takes you straight through a tidal wetland ecosystem where herons strut, turtles sunbathe, and the creek whispers secrets only patient listeners can hear. Most folks zoom past this spot on their way to more famous Virginia destinations, but outdoor lovers who know about it guard this place like a treasured map." Read the full article here: https://myfamilytravels.com/this-stunning-boardwalk-hike-is-virginias-best-kept-secret-for-outdoor-lovers/ FHWA Releases 2021 National Scenic Byway and All-American Road Designation Booklet May 27, 2021 The Federal Highway Administration released its 2021 illustrative National Scenic Byway and All-American Road designation booklet just in time for the summer travel season. The booklet includes the newest designations, announced in February. (https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/hep/scenic_byways/designations/fhwadesignationsbooklet.pdf ) . L/KLA’s corridor management planning efforts supported five of these byway designations in six states including two All-American Roads, the highest designation where a byway is considered as a destination unto itself: California’s Historic Route 66 Scenic Byway from Needles to Barstow (NSB ) Maryland’s Chesapeake Country Scenic Byway (AAR ) New Jersey’s Bayshore Heritage Byway (NSB ) New York’s Palisades Scenic Byway (NSB ) Tennessee and North Carolina’s Newfound Gap Road Byway (AAR ) View of East Point Lighthouse from New Jersey's Bayshore Heritage Byway. View of Roy's Motel and Cafe from California's Historic Route 66 Scenic Byway from Needles to Barstow. SNEP Southern New England Program Network Climate Leadership Exchange December 10, 2020 Jim Klein was an invited participant for the Southern New England Program Network (SNEP) Climate Leadership Exchange webinar on “Revitalizing waterfront communities through comprehensive redevelopment” representing a waterfront case study for Tilghman Island with Talbot County planner Miguel Salinas. Jim and Miguel provided insights regarding Tilghman’s community revitalization efforts through balancing the preservation of working waterfront assets while seeking ways to diversify the small-town economy. Jim also provided additional insights on how to increase public understanding on the need to address climate resiliency, gleaned from his experience leading four additional master plans for working waterfronts in Maryland, including Rock Hall, Port Deposit, Oxford and Bellevue. The webinar was in support of the efforts between the Town of Wareham, Massachusetts and the SNEP Network centered on the Town’s goals for revitalization of the downtown waterfront area in Wareham Village. Invited guests help guide future redevelopment plans for Wareham Village by focusing on incorporating elements of climate resilience, stormwater management, and green infrastructure into design plans that are closely connected to economic development opportunities. Through the exchange, Wareham will also be able to explore innovative and sustainable environmental finance opportunities associated with their redevelopment plans. Link to the Podcast: S1 | E7: Waterfront Redevelopment - Part 3 (ft. Tilghman Island, MD and Working Waterfronts) NeabscoCreekBoardwalkAward Neabsco Creek Boardwalk Receives State Environmental Award August 28, 2020 Delighted that all the hard and rewarding work that went into designing the Neabsco Creek Boardwalk has been recognized with a Gold Medal from the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality's (DEQ) 2020 Governor's Environmental Excellence Awards. L/KLA served as the prime contractor leading a multidisciplined team that included many of our long-time colleagues including: ESA, Inc. (environmental); Wiley | Wilson (civil and structural engineering); The Robert B. Balter Company (Geotechnical and construction phase services); CHG, Inc. (cultural resources performed by the former John Milner Associates); and Dominion Surveyors. In addition to leading the design team, L/KLA was responsible for the design and detailing for the boardwalk, coordinating the permitting requirements, public outreach and construction phase services. The Governor's Environmental Excellence Awards recognize successful and innovative efforts that improve Virginia's environment. The awards program is run annually by the DEQ in partnership with the Department of Conservation and Recreation. You can learn more at: https://www.deq.virginia.gov/get-involved/pollution-prevention/governor-s-environmental-excellence-awards Link Inside Nova web article: https://www.insidenova.com/news/prince_william/neabsco-creek-boardwalk-receives-state-environmental-award/article_3609e3f4-e7e6-11ea-8939-7b156a12a584.html AnacostiaTrail Trail of the Month: Anacostia River Trail August 17, 2020 Check out the Anacostia River Trail recognized by the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy as the Trail of the Month: August 2020 . L/KLA served as the project Landscape Architect for the Kenilworth section from Benning Road in the District of Columbia to just south of Bladensburg Park in Maryland. The article speaks to how the alignment of the trail provided access to the natural areas east of the River and north of RFK Stadium along the Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, under AMTRAK and US Route 50 and into Maryland. L/KLA led the work on the field alignment to minimize impact to the mature tree canopy while providing visual and physical access to the Anacostia River and Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens for pedestrians and bicyclists as part of the missing link to the 20-mile trail. Link to Rails-to-Trails Conservancy web article: https://www.railstotrails.org/trailblog/2020/august/13/washington-dc-and-maryland-s-anacostia-river-trail/?utm_source=newsletter Making the Grade Anchor Making the Grade: Increasing Access to Parks for All Ages and Abilities May 6, 2020 As we all adjust to the new reality of the COVID-19 pandemic, the importance of our parks and trails for health and wellbeing is abundantly clear. While many park amenities are shuttered, trails and open spaces allow for access to outdoor recreation while social distancing. However, not all trails and open spaces are readily accessible to all. Parking lots in many parks are blocked off, making it challenging for people with disabilities to access trails. For those who can access trails, it is likely that some will face challenges, as many trails do not meet current ADA regulations. It has been 30 years since the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law. While this 30th anniversary celebrates countless life-changing improvements toward equity and inclusion, the challenge to keep parks, trails, and open spaces in compliance is ongoing. Issues of cost, maintenance, or site constraints often hinder a good faith effort to furnish inclusive recreational facilities. As every design professional knows, site design must address trade-offs due to differing priorities. However, accessibility challenges can often be solved with creative, low-budget solutions. Here are three projects that identify accessibility issues and provide cost-effective solutions for all ages and abilities. Emiquon Preserve Visitor Use Site, IL As a first step, parks and public spaces need to find out whether a facility is accessible to all ages and abilities. In 2018, The Nature Conservancy in Illinois retained L/KLA to provide an accessibility assessment for existing and proposed infrastructure at the Emiquon Visitor Use Site on the shore of Thompson Lake. The Nature Conservancy’s primary mission is conservation and stewardship, but in recent years they have made efforts to increase public access to their natural areas in a way that is sensitive to their primary mission. After reviewing guidance from Illinois and Federal standards, as well as on-site assessments, L/KLA evaluated the Nature Conservancy’s ongoing maintenance practices and opportunities for small-scale new construction or renovation that could increase access for all ages and abilities. The final 2019 report is being used by TNC’s to guide their ongoig efforts and investments needed to meet their goal of increasing public access and outreach for visitors of all ages and abilities at Emiquon, helping to tell the story of their work and multi-faceted benefits of Emiquon’s restored wetlands. Abrupt transitions from adjoining surface conditions are common compliance challenges. An example provided in the Emiquon accessibility report: While a standard handrail is provided, the ramp at Neabsco Creek Boardwalk requires an additional handrail for ADA compliance. L/KLA designed this 3,000+ ft ADA accessible boardwalk in Prince William County, VA. Fort Ward Park, Alexandria, VA Like many jurisdictions, The City of Alexandria is striving to upgrade existing facilities to increase access and mobility for all. An historic city, Alexandria is also faced with infrastructure improvements and limitations arising from existing land use patterns and historic and archaeological resources. L/KLA was selected as the lead consultant for improvements to Fort Ward Park—the location of an historic Civil War Fort and contemporaneous African American neighborhood. Once the City’s arboretum, it is also home to treasured, mature trees, with wooded paths and trails throughout. Improvements include accessible parking and paths to the existing picnic shelter, and relocation/design of a more inclusive playground. Balancing the pros and cons between providing access and preserving mature trees and historic resources, L/KLA is working with the City to design and construct these improvements with minimal impact on resources and high impact on the City’s ability to provide access to residents of all ages and abilities. An accessible route will link new ADA parking spaces to the picnic shelter and sidewalk, as shown above. In addition to providing access, protection of existing archaeological resources and existing trees is paramount in this effort. View toward the picnic shelter from the parking lot, looking in the general location of the future accessible route. Prince William County, Woodbridge, VA After an accessibility compliance report was conducted, evaluating over 70 parks in Prince William County’s Parks and Recreation system, the department retained L/KLA through an open-end services contract to design accessibility improvements for several of their aging parks. John D. Jenkins Park, serving a neighborhood park in Woodbridge, includes wooded open space, a basketball court, and a playground. Immediately adjacent to the park are the offices of The ARC of Prince William County and a care center for children with developmental disabilities. Prince William County took the opportunity to replace a timber retaining wall to create an accessible pathway from the parking area to the basketball courts below. Before and after photos of ramp designed with pickets, connecting parking with the basketball courts below. A maximum of 20 percent of handrail length may be obstructed on the bottom (505.6 Gripping Surface. ADAAG.). The railings in this design meet this requirement. With site constraints such as steep slopes and shallow underground utilities, coupled with budget constraints, the final design needed to be low-impact and cost effective. L/KLA designed a series of concrete ramps with railing and a lower (<3’ tall) segmental retaining wall to provide a simple, direct route that provides ADA accessibility, aesthetic improvements, and limited site disturbance. The ramp has a standard rail with pickets and incorporates a retaining wall and surface drainage as part of the ramp system, addressing all site requirements in a cost effective, but attractive manner. As landscape architects, we approach ADA as a minimum standard, while striving to do more than “check off the boxes” to meet requirements. We seek a comprehensive solution to inclusivity, encompassing ease of access, aesthetics, and ecological stewardship. With ingenuity and rigorous site analysis, accessibility improvements for aging park facilities can be implemented as part of a holistic approach, often with minimal modifications, constructed as part of ongoing maintenance projects, using small-scale design interventions. At some point, the backlog of accessibility needs will disappear as all new park projects incorporate universal design as an integral design and budget component right from the start.

New Road Corridor Master Plan Lewes, D E PROJECT OVERVIEW New Road, designated as a Delaware Byway in 2015 as part of the Historic Lewes Byway is an important gateway from the Coastal Highway to the City of Lewes. A Corridor Management Plan (CMP) was prepared for the entire Historic Lewes Byway in 2015. The CMP recognizes the need to retain the overall character defining features of the New Road corridor including its farms, forests, wetlands and tributary streams. However, growth and change are accelerating in and around the City of Lewes. Land use and transportation changes are being proposed throughout the corridor, some of which are imminent. Two large properties, the Groome Church property and Brittingham Farm are currently entering the development process. DelDOT is developing plans for a grade separated intersection for SR 1 at Minos Conaway Road with modifications proposed for New Road that may change travel patterns on New Road. DelDOT is advancing a project to realign Old Orchard Road at Wescoats Corner. Several large privately owned tracts are likely to be developed over the next few years. NEED FOR THE PLAN The Historic Lewes Byway CMP calls for conceptual master plans for each of the three entrance corridors that are part of the Byway. The master plan is needed to coordinate and guide land use and transportation projects to help retain the character defining features of the corridor while making the most efficient use of public and private investments. A master plan was funded and completed for Kings Highway and Gills Neck Road in 2016 and is currently being used to guide land use and transportation decisions in a coordinated way. Similarly, the goal for the New Road Corridor Master Plan is to coordinate public investments and private actions throughout the corridor to guide land use and transportation decisions in a coordinated way. The planning process envisioned for the master plan recommends the formation of an Ad Hoc Stakeholder Committee to identify issues, review preliminary plans and proposals, and provide input and comments on the draft plan. This ad hoc committee has been organized with representation from a broad range of interests along New Road including conservation, owners of large land parcels, neighborhood organizations, businesses, and developers. The schedule at the right provides an overview of the eight month planning process including three meetings with the Stakeholder Committee (SC). Funding for the New Road Master Plan has been graciously provided by Senator Lopez and Representative Smyk. All the stakeholders along New Road express their appreciation for the assistance in this important project. 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 ) Canary Creek Anticipated Schedule Meeting #1: Meeting #2: Public #1: Meeting #3: Meeting #4: Public Meeting #2: Draft Plan Month Aug. 22, 2018 Oct. 24, 2018 Nov. 27, 2018 March 27, 2019 May 7, 2019 June 20, 2019 FILE CABINET : (CLICK TO DOWNLOAD FILES BELOW) NEW: Final Draft Plan Public Meeting #2: June 20, 2019 6-8 pm at Rollins Center, City of Lewes PRESENTATION DRAFT PLAN PUBLIC COMMENTS AND RESPONSE MATRIX June 4, 2019 Draft Plan (open for comment between June 4th and July 8th, 2019) DRAFT PLAN (PDF) - entire document (31 MB) Front Matter (1.1 MB) 1. Introduction (<1 MB) 2. Planning Context (2 MB) 3. Planning Concepts (13 MB) 4. Application of Concepts (12 MB) 5. Implementation (<1 MB) Appendices (1.3 MB) Comment period for the June 4th draft plan closed on July 8, 2019 Lewes Ad Hoc Committee Meeting #4: May 7, 2019 PRESENTATION MEETING SUMMARY Lewes Historic Byway/Ad Hoc Committee Joint Meeting: March 27, 2019 Meeting sponsored by Lewes Byway Committee to gather additional input on proposed master plan concepts PRESENTATION UPDATED DISPLAYS (3-27-19) *NOTE: These are large size display boards (36 x 48 inches) that can be viewed on a screen (file size for each as shown) Corridor Planning and Design Principles (19.9 MB) New Road: Nassau to Black Hog Gut (3.5 MB) New Road: Black Hog Gut to Old Orchard (8.9 MB) New Road: Brittingham Farm/Canary Creek Bridge (7.7 MB) New Road: Park Road to Pilottown Road (5.8 MB) Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities (12.5 MB) Corridor Landscape Concepts (10.5 MB) MEETING SUMMARY Public Meeting #1: November 27, 2018 MEETING FLIER PRESENTATION HANDOUT- VISUAL PREFERENCE SURVEY COMMENT FORM (2 MB) DISPLAYS *NOTE: These are large size display boards (36 x 48 inches) that can be viewed on a screen (file size for each as shown) Welcome Board (3 MB) 1: Regional Context: Active Land use and Transportation Projects (16 MB) 2. Regional Context: Transportation Issues (1 MB) 3. Corridor Planning and Design Principles (13 MB) 4. New Road: Nassau to Black Hog Gut (4 MB) 5. New Road: Black Hog Gut to Old Orchard (12 MB) 6. New Road: Old Orchard to Canary Creek (including bridge) (16 MB) 7. New Road: Canary Creek to Pilottown Road (15 MB) SUMMARY OF COMMENTS (Coming Soon) Meeting #2: October 24, 2018 AGENDA PRESENTATION HANDOUT MEETING NOTES Meeting #1: August 22, 2018
 PRESENTATION HANDOUT (MAP) PROJECT OVERVIEW HANDOUT MEETING NOTES INTERACTIVE MAP View the study area map and leave a comment on the map HERE If you would like to leave a private comment, please send an email to the planning team: (click here ) ADDITIONAL WEB LINKS 
Lewes Scenic and Historic Byway Corridor Management Plan DelDOT Historic Lewes Byway Web page City of Lewes Byways Committee Web page Five Points project Web page Sussex County Planning & Zoning Web page