Designing the Parks Awards Program Launched

The Designing the Parks Awards Program is now welcoming submissions for its inaugural awards. The National Park Service, in partnership with the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy is sponsoring this annual awards program to recognize outstanding examples of recent public park design that best illustrate and capture the spirit of the “Designing the Parks” principles. 

The Designing the Parks Awards Program grew from the successful 2008 Designing the Parks conferences, where historical precedents were reviewed and future imperatives for park planning and design debated. The discourse generated six principles: reverence for place; engagement of all people; expansion beyond traditional boundaries; advancement of sustainability; informed decision making; and integrated research, planning, design, and review. 

The Designing the Parks Awards Program competition is open to landscape architects, architects, planners, designers, park managers, and similar disciplines. This call for submission is extended to all public parks that are administered by all levels of government, and international projects are welcome. Awards will be given in five categories: master plans; design guidelines; building design; site design; and transportation design. 

“We’re excited to offer this opportunity to highlight outstanding planning and design in public parks,” said Rodger Evans, Designing the Parks Awards Program Chairman and Chief of the NPS Denver Service Center Design & Construction Western Division, “Identifying and recognizing excellent examples of these principles is a critical step in communicating their relevance to the future of park design.”  

All entries must be postmarked on or before the April 30, 2010 deadline. A jury of design and planning professionals will review the entries and select awardees. 

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