CTASLA Annual 2016

Connecticut 2016 ANNUAL
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Contents



From the President 1

Landscape Architecture in Connecticut 5

The Yarwood Award 8

Olmsted Legacy 13

Inspirations 20

Advocacy 25

Veterans Memorials 34

State Veterans Cemetery 36
Veterans Memorial at Minuteman Park 40
World War One Memorial 44
Memorial Rehabilitations 48

Design Talk: The Personal Professional 53

LA@UConn 65

The Karen Ann Shopis-Fox Memorial Scholarship 77

2016 Professional Awards 83

The Phoenix Plaza Towers|Golde, LLC
Environmentally Sustainable Post-Sandy Beachfront Artemis Landscape Architects, Inc.
Port Chester Beer Garden Wesley Stout Associates, LLC
Marriott Plaza Devore Associates, LLC
P rovidence College Landscape & Land Use Master Plan The S/L/A/M Collaborative
Seaside Terraces in Balance with Nature Artemis Landscape Architects, Inc.
Ethel Walker Woods Stewardship Plan Milone & MacBroom, Inc.

Continuing Education 101

2015-2016 CTASLA Executive Committee 111

World’s Best Advertisers 116

2016 ANNUAL v

2016
Connecticut

Landscape
Architecture

Annual

Copyright © 2016
Connecticut Chapter of

the American Society
of Landscape Architects
370 James Street, Suite 402

New Haven, CT 06513
Voicemail: (800) 878-1474

www.ctasla.org

Design: J.M. Communications

On the cover and at right: CONNECTICUT LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE
Phoenix Plaza, Hartford, by
Towers|Golde, LLC, recipient of
the Award of Excellence as part
of CTASLA’s 2016 Professional

Awards. See all our award
winners beginning on page 83.

vi

From the President award winners by Artemis Landscape Architects
— residential projects on waterfront properties in
I am optimistic about CTASLA and the profession Darien and Fairfield — show how the philosophy of
stewardship of the land informs a landscape archi-
of landscape architecture in Connecticut, even tect’s creative and technical skills.
with a jittery market and questionable CTASLA is the voice for our profession in
economy. When I look at the quality of work Connecticut. We are continually working to
submitted for our awards, I am very proud to send promote our members and educate the public
them to another state chapter for judging. Our and public officials about the value that landscape
members’ projects showcase the creative, technical, architects bring to the built environment. We stand
cultural, and environmental skills needed to design ready to protect our right to practice in all the
safe and engaging landscapes in an increasingly areas for which we are legally licensed. If not for
complex world. The award winners, showcased in the volunteer efforts of many of our members, our
this book, highlight how each professional weaves Executive Committee, and our talented Executive
together not only their own training, talent, and Director, Jeff Mills, our Chapter — and thus our pro-
skill, but also the talents of other professions into fession — would be weaker.
the fabric of their projects. We made some great strides toward a new stra-
Planning for large-scale institutions and prop- tegic plan in 2015, and Jane Didona and her Strategic
erties with diverse uses and resources requires Plan Committee are now poised to develop a blue-
careful analysis of not only the immediate area print for CTASLA’s future in the coming months. The
but the connections and interactions with larger, foundation is laid to support a strong, relevant, and
adjacent systems — cultural, environmental, social, sustainable professional organization, and we look
political, and architecture, to name a few. Milone & forward to a bright future. Thank you, members, for
MacBroom’s Stewardship Plan for Ethel Walker all your continued support and involvement.
Woods and The S/L/A/M Collaborative’s Providence
College Landscape & Land Use Master Plan exhibit — Barbara A. Yaeger, ASLA
the breath of services that landscape architects are
capable of providing. 1
Landscape architects are also trained to be
sensitive to the historical and cultural integrity of a
site, while allowing it to remain relevant for modern
uses. Wesley Stout Associates’ Port Chester Beer
Garden is a delightful example of maintaining a
property’s historic context while creating a vibrant
modern space.
Devore Associates’ Marriott Plaza at The Culinary
Institute’s Hyde Park Campus highlights how a tal-
ented landscape architect can translate a client’s
diverse list of needs and create a space that is
crafted to be educational but also allowing for quiet
reflection, stimulating pedestrian activity and social
gathering, while maintaining and complementing
the architecture of surrounding buildings.
It is important that landscape architects safe-
guard environmentally sensitive systems while
creating beautiful spaces that allow property
owners to fully enjoy their land. This is especially
true on Connecticut’s fragile shoreline. The two

2016 ANNUAL

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landscape architecture Didona Associates Landscape Architects
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2016 ANNUAL 3

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Landscape Architecture in Connecticut Milone and MacBroom, Inc.
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2016 ANNUAL

L andscape architecture is a profession The S/L/A/M Collaborative

that deals with the adaptation, design, government agencies, colleges and universities,
and conservation of land for society’s and other professional settings.
use. In order to practice landscape architecture
in Connecticut, one must have a degree in land- A landscape architect is typically part of the
scape architecture from an accredited college or design team for a wide range of projects.
university, serve a minimum two-year internship, Closely allied with architecture and engineering,
and pass a national licensing exam. landscape architects often collaborate and work
in teams with these professionals.

Combining nature, technology, and aesthetics, Landscape architects must also ensure that
typical landscape architectural works include their plans conform with state and local regula-
campuses, public and commercial building sites, tions, including those of local land use boards,
downtown and village centers, transporta- Connecticut Department of Energy and Environ-
tion-related projects, streetscapes and greenway mental Protection, Connecticut Department of
corridors, courtyards and plazas, parks, play- Transportation, and the Americans with Disabil-
grounds, and residential properties. Across the ities Act (ADA), to name a few.
state, landscape architects are currently working
to facilitate affordable housing, recreational Notable works of landscape architecture
opportunities, transportation alternatives, func- in Connecticut include: Bushnell Park and
tional school grounds, beautiful backyards, and Constitution Plaza in Hartford, the Central
many other compelling outdoor environments. Connecticut State University quadrangle
and Walnut Hill Park in New Britain, the Yale
Landscape architects in Connecticut work in University campus and Healing Garden at Smilow
many different settings, including: landscape Cancer Hospital in New Haven, and Beardsley
architecture firms, architecture and engineering Park and Seaside Park in Bridgeport.
firms, design-build companies, state and local

6 CONNECTICUT LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE

Artemis Landscape Architects, Inc.

Part of a landscape architect’s focus is being a With a diverse orientation and skill
good steward of the environment. ASLA helped set, landscape architects provide a
to develop the Sustainable Sites Initiative, which complex blend of services on a wide
understands that land is a crucial component variety of projects, including:
of the built environment and can be planned,
designed, developed, and maintained to protect Campus planning and design
and enhance the benefits we derive from healthy Cemetery design
functioning landscapes. A new professional cre- Commercial site design
dential called the SITES Accredited Professional Complete streets
(SITES AP) is currently being developed by Green Corporate and industrial grounds
Business Certification Inc. (GBCI), which also Cultural resource planning
administers the LEED certification program for Design /build
the U.S. Green Building Council. Golf course design
Green roofs
With nearly 300 members across the state, the Historic preservation and restoration
Connecticut Chapter of ASLA strives to advance Hospitals and other healthcare sites
the profession of landscape architecture locally Hotels and resorts
by providing educational programs, publications, Interior landscapes
information and resources to our members and Invasive plant management
to those seeking to benefit from landscape archi- Land planning
tectural services. Land reclamation and rehabilitation
Landscape art and earth sculpture
For a listing of Connecticut landscape architects, Monuments and memorials
please see www.ctasla.org/members.htm. Municipal facility design
Natural resource planning
Devore Associates, LLC Park and recreation planning and design
Planting plans
Playgrounds
Public gardens and arboreta
Regional planning
Residential design
Security design
Site selection and feasibility analysis
Skate parks
Stormwater management
Streetscapes and pedestrian spaces
Therapeutic gardens
Transportation corridors and facilities
Urban planning and design
Visual imaging and analysis
Wetland protection and mitigation

2016 ANNUAL 7

The Yarwood Award

T he Yarwood Award is the economic development, and Who was George A. Yarwood?
quality of life, while communicating
highest award given by the value of landscape architecture George A. Yarwood, FASLA
the Connecticut Chapter of to those who have been touched (1903-1987), born in Bing-
the American Society of Landscape by her work and vision. Several hamton, NY, was an early
Architects. It recognizes the recipi- of her projects have won awards. practitioner of landscape
ent’s dedication, passion, and com- Jane is licensed in Connecticut, architecture in the state of
mitment not only to the profession New York, and New Jersey. Connecticut (license #02).
of landscape architecture, but also Her passion to learn led Jane After graduating from UMass
to the Connecticut Chapter. to pursue a Master of Science in 1926, he went on to attend
Jane Didona, PLA, ASLA has degree in Landscape Architecture the Harvard Graduate School
demonstrated this passion through from State University of New York, of Design. After working in
all her roles within CTASLA (10 New York City, Yarwood came
years and counting!), College of Environ- to Connecticut in 1929 to work
including serving as mental Science and with Thomas H. Desmond and
member at large, Forestry at Syracuse Associates, Simsbury. In 1933
secretary, vice University in 2007, he accepted a job with the
president, pres- while growing National Park Service (CCC
ident, and program her busy firm. She Camp in Chicopee, MA for three
chairperson. During also earned her months and then the Central
her involvement Bachelor of Land- Design Division) and later with
with the Executive scape Architecture nationally renowned landscape
Committee she and Bachelor of architect, A.D. Taylor. In 1943
helped lead the Science, Environ- Yarwood came back to Con-
chapter into a renais- mental Studies from necticut to again work with
sance, encouraging SUNY-ESF. She has Desmond Associates, eventually
ExComm to focus expanded the love becoming a partner.
on the long-range of her profession
financial health of to teaching as an George Yarwood was a prolific
the organization and instructor of Land- designer, producing many plans
providing membership with quality scape Design at the New York for low-income housing and
programs. She initiated a strategic Botanical Garden and Western Con- school sites across the state.
planning process to ensure that necticut State University. Notable projects listed in his
CTASLA would have a foundation Jane has been active in her ASLA biographical data include
for a sustainable future. She con- community for many years in a work at Trinity College, Ren-
tinues to support the chapter in variety of organization such as brook School, United Technol-
this effort. Rotary of Danbury, Friends of Ball ogies (East Hartford) and the
As principal of Didona Asso- Pond, Danbury Chamber of Com- U.S. Coast Guard Academy.
ciates Landscape Architects merce, and the city’s Architectural
(www.didonaassociates.com), Advisory Committee. His service to the profession
Jane’s portfolio reflects passion Our Chapter and profession of landscape architecture
and a creative mind, displaying continue to reap the rewards includes:
a diverse mix of projects from of Jane Didona’s engagement
master plans, municipal, institu- with CTASLA, and we are looking • Founding member of the CT
tional, and commercial, to multi- forward to her continued advice, Chapter of ASLA, 1948
family and residential. Her many passion, and support.
community-oriented projects • First President of CTASLA,
have contributed to civic pride, — Barbara A. Yaeger, ASLA 1952-1954

8 • Chapter Trustee, 1956-1957
• Member, State Board of Land-

scape Architects, 1967-1972

Yarwood was elected an ASLA
Fellow in 1964, and received the
national ASLA Presidents Award
in 1980. He died in 1987. The
Yarwood Award was first pre-
sented in 1987 to Robert Gregan.

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Peter Viteretto, human scale Olmsted Legacy
model, stands next to one of
the old maple trees on the
back lawn of the 1733 Brooks
Homestead in Cheshire where
Frederick Law Olmsted lived
and worked on the farm
in 1844-45. Thanks to Jean
McKee for inviting a group
of Olmsted admirers to
visit the family property, a
quintessential New England
landscape, last August.

Long recognized as the father of American landscape architecture, Frederick Law Olmsted (1822-1903) 13
is a Connecticut native — born in Hartford, raised in the Connecticut River Valley, and interred in
Hartford’s Old North Cemetery. Olmsted’s famous works include many of the nation’s beloved parks
and outdoor spaces, including Central Park, the U.S. Capital Grounds, Boston Fens, and the campus
of Stanford University, among many others. He left his mark in Connecticut as well, designing three
major city parks and other urban landscapes here, and inspiring dozens of other works to follow by
the Olmsted Brothers firm, run by his sons well into the middle of the 20th century. Learn more about
Olmsted’s life, accomplishments, and Connecticut heritage at www.OlmstedLegacyTrail.com. We
encourage you to visit the sites on the Olmsted Legacy Trail to enjoy the beauty of Olmsted’s work in
person, and to support the study and preservation of historic landscapes in Connecticut.

2016 ANNUAL

Connecticut Olmsted Award

The Connecticut Chapter of the American “I am a true believer that
Society of Landscape Architects pre- what happens on the
sented its 2015 Connecticut Olmsted ground is what counts —
Award to Chris Donnelly, Urban Forestry that policies and priorities
Coordinator for the State of Connecticut. only matter to the extent
The Olmsted Award, named after Frederick that they influence the
Law Olmsted, who founded the modern person in the field with a
landscape architecture profession in the 19th saw or a shovel.”
century, is given annually by CTASLA to an orga-
nization or person from Connecticut who has — was just beginning to take root. “It was an
employed the principle of stewardship of the opportune time for me to begin working with
environment as a guiding force in their actions. people and organizations, helping to build the
With a BS in Biology and a Master’s degree program, the ideas, and the enthusiasm that
in Forestry from the Yale School of Forestry and would contribute to the good progress that
Environmental Studies, Chris Donnelly worked we’ve made in Connecticut since,” says Chris.
in the lumber industry, as a licensed arborist, In 2000, he was appointed as Urban Forestry
and as a tree care consultant before joining Coordinator for the State of Connecticut, a
the Connecticut Department of Environmental position he still holds today.
Protection (now DEEP) as an urban forester in As the primary contact for urban forestry
1998. efforts within the DEEP, Chris administers two
The philosophy and practice of urban forestry urban forestry grant programs — the America-
— the care and management of tree populations
in urban and community settings to provide
environmental, economic, and social benefits

Chris Donnelly explains to the members of the City of Hartford Parks
Department about how trees grow and how to assess the health and condition
of a tree. This particular class is taking place adjacent to Hartford’s City Hall.
Chris regularly works with cities and towns throughout the state, helping them
with their urban forestry programs and assisting with outreach and education.

14 CONNECTICUT LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE

Another successful planting! Chris inspects an American elm tree planted in downtown Stamford under a DEEP-issued grant to
the Stamford Tree Foundation. With Chris is Jane Waugh, member of the Stamford Tree Foundation. It is Chris’s responsibility,
after a grant recipient completes a project, to inspect the work done so that the grant can be concluded. DEEP’s urban forestry
program encourages the planting of tall shade trees in sites that can accommodate these larger plantings.

the-Beautiful grant program for municipalities “Arboriculture 101” course, a series of classes to
and non-profits, and the outreach grant program prepare prospective arborists for the daunting
for non-profits. He also runs the Tree City USA Connecticut arborist licensing exam. “It is always
program for Connecticut, and coordinates a thrill to meet former students who are now
efforts to combat emerald ash borer and other licensed and on their way to a successful career
threats to Connecticut trees and forests. Chris is in caring for trees,” he says.
a member of the State Vegetation Management “I am a true believer that what happens on
Task Force, which was called upon to examine the ground is what counts — that policies and
street tree planting and tree-trimming standards priorities only matter to the extent that they
in response to recent winter storms that devas- influence the person in the field with a saw or a
tated the power grid in many communities. shovel. Outreach and education — communica-
Chris is also chair of the Urban and Com- tions — has always been a large part of what I
munity Forestry Committee of the Northeastern try to do.”
Area Association of State Foresters, and has As cities and towns increasingly seek to
been a past chair of the Connecticut Urban enhance and increase their green infrastructure
Forest Council. His writings over the years for in response to growing demand for natural
publications such as Connecticut Woodlands spaces and the threat of global warming,
and Connecticut Wildlife have helped to educate the urban forester’s role only becomes more
many about the importance of trees. important. Those who will care for urban trees
As a director of the Connecticut Tree in the years and generations to come can thank
Protective Association for nearly 20 years Chris Donnelly for the legacy of urban forestry
(and a past president), Chris has run CTPA’s he has helped to create in Connecticut.

2016 ANNUAL 15

Seeing the Forest

(Excerpted comments by Chris Donnelly upon accepting the Connecticut Olmsted Award at the
Chapter’s holiday party in December.)

As a kid growing up in ecology were connecting in the “I like urban
Bridgeport, I liked to wade as real world, along with other forestry
often as I could in the Rooster observations, such as how much because it can
River, catching crayfish and a change in weather can mean be so many
fishing for eels — even though it to the life around you — things things. It is as
was widely known that the river that you may “learn” in school, much about
was polluted. Why? The river but which must be experienced social ecology
just invited me in, it was my to be truly understood. and urban
place to be, my ecosystem; I was In my career, I have been ecosystem
connected to it even though, many things — a biologist, an management as
back then, I would never have arborist, a wood and lumber it is about trees
expressed it in those words. expert, a forester, and now an and shrubs and
Those were life-changing urban forester. I like urban for- planting the
days. estry because it can be so many right tree in the
There were other ones, too, things. It is as much about social right place.”
that led me to where I am today ecology and urban ecosystem
— like the day I crawled under management as it is about CONNECTICUT LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE
my Dodge Colt to change the trees and shrubs and planting
oil. As I spread a newspaper on the right tree in the right place.
the driveway an advertisement Having arrived here through a
caught my eye: “Do You Like varied career path allows me
Trees? Would You Like to to draw upon a diverse expe-
Work With Trees?” Since I had rience — whether it’s applying
recently completed my Master’s wood tech lessons from the
degree in Forestry (after a BS in lumber industry to explain why
Biology), I was intrigued. It was different species of trees behave
an ad for a course (a forerunner differently, or simply appreci-
to Arboriculture 101) to help ating the distinct ways that an
people get their arborist license. arborist and forester might look
At the time, I had no idea at the same tree.
what the arborist license was To put it simply: it’s good to
about, so I had a lot to learn. I have a well-rounded worldview.
took the course, studied quite a While I may not know a lot
bit, and passed the exam. The about Frederick Law Olmsted,
elation I felt at acquiring my I understand that he was
arborist license stays with me someone who felt deeply about
today, through my involvement nature and about people, and
with Arboriculture 101 and who also had a well-rounded
helping others achieve this pro- worldview. Not surprisingly,
fessional milestone. being attuned to the natural
A few years later, when I world and the needs of people
was working as a practicing in a “big picture” way seems to
arborist and in the field every be something shared by land-
day, I realized that this was scape architects in general. And
the perfect job for a practical so I appreciate this honor very
biologist. All of those lessons much.
about tree physiology and insect

16

“ The establishment by government
of great public grounds for the free
enjoyment of the people…is justified
and enforced as a political duty.”

— Frederick Law Olmsted, 1865 Preliminary Report
to Congress on Yosemite and Mariposa Grove

Olmsted Point, Yosemite National Park. Photo: Barbara Yaeger 1916 -2016

2016 ANNUAL CTASLA Salutes the
National Park Service

on its Centennial!

OlmstedLegacyTrail.com

17

18 CONNECTICUT LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE

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Inspirations outdoor spaces. The Inspired Landscape, by
Timber Press, traces each of its featured projects
L ong-time Chapter member Susan Cohen, from the initial spark of creativity through its
FASLA has been in the inspiration business stunning completion. Lushly illustrated with
for years. Her latest project, which distills original sketches, plans, and photographs, this
the creative process for others to learn from, is invaluable resource will inspire designers to
no exception. explore the many sources that fuel the creative
An award-winning landscape architect in process.
private practice in Greenwich and founder of It’s not every day one of your members pub-
The New York Botanical Garden’s celebrated lishes a book. We’re proud to promote Susan’s
Landscape Design Portfolio Series, Cohen pub- accomplishment, and hope you’ll seek out a copy
lished a book in November showcasing the of The Inspired Landscape. It’s rumored to be for
work of 21 landscape architects from around the sale on Amazon.com.
world as a way to study the role of inspiration
in creating some of the world’s most stunning

20 CONNECTICUT LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE

Author’s Reflections “The Inspired
Landscape is an
As an enthusiastic English major at inspiring provo-
Smith College, I always had assumed cation for future
that I would write a book…someday. experimentation
But on the eve of my 50th college within the medium
reunion, nothing of the sort had hap- of landscape
pened. Then, an editor called me from architecture. It
Timber Press. She explained that suggests creative
Timber wanted to publish a book on new models of
landscape architecture, and that they work, new forms
wanted me to write it. of landscape
experience, and
This really happened. new ways to value
innovative design.”
Also, and this is also true: when she asked me if I had an idea
for such a book, I was ready. I told her that I just had a conver- — James Corner
sation with a group of designers and had asked them about
their favorite gardens. That question led to a lively discussion The 21 featured landscape
about what most inspired them. That made me wonder about architects:
how landscape architects actually find their design inspiration. Shlomo Aronson – Israel
Sheila Brady – Washington, DC
“That’s your book,” said the editor. “Write a proposal.” (project at NYBG)
James Burnett – California
Almost four years after that day, the book, The Inspired Land- Gilles Clément – France
scape, was published. In hindsight, the process was simple: find Gary Hilderbrand – Massachusetts
a good subject, do the research, and write the chapter. But it (project in CT)
did require the continual mental juggling of multiple chapters Charles Jencks – Scotland
and, also, quite a bit of travel. Along the way I learned much Mary Margaret Jones – New York City
about the design process, and also about the generosity of Mikyoung Kim – Massachusetts
spirit, of some of the most outstanding landscape architects (project in Chicago)
working today. I hope readers will enjoy these 21 individual — Peter Latz – Germany
and often quite eccentric — stories. Shunmyo Masuno – Japan
Signe Nielsen – New York City
— Susan Cohen, FASLA Cornelia Hahn Oberlander –
Vancouver, BC
“The Inspired Landscape reveals the Laurie Olin – Philadelphia
sources of design inspiration for (project in Rome, Italy)
landscape architects and provides an Ken Smith – New York City
essential foundation for understanding Stephen Stimson – Massachusetts
and appreciating the dynamic artistry Tom Stuart-Smith – England
of global practice today.” Christin Ten Eyck – Texas
Ryoko Ueyama – Japan
— Charles Birnbaum, Founder and President, Kim Wilkie – England
The Cultural Landscape Foundation Thomas Woltz – New York
Kongjian Yu – China
2016 ANNUAL
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Connecticut U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy Advocacy
address professionals and the media at a press conference in New
Haven on the passage of the Federal Transportation reauthorization bill
in December. The FAST Act (“Fixing America’s Surface Transportation”)
is a historic five-year transportation bill that includes some major
victories for landscape architects, including preserving critical bicycle,
pedestrian and trails programs and establishing a national Complete
Streets policy. ASLA played a role in securing a provision in the bill to
encourage the use of integrated vegetation management practices to
promote pollinator habitats on our nation’s roads and highways.

“This bill will provide our nation with the means to rebuild aging
infrastructure, protect our environment and become more
economically competitive,” said Nancy Somerville, Hon. ASLA,
executive vice president and CEO of ASLA. “Landscape architects will
play a critical role in this process.”

Thank you to our entire Connecticut delegation for their support of this
important legislation. (Senators Murphy and Blumenthal, incidentally,
both received perfect scores of 100% from the League of Conservation
Voters in their 2015 National Environmental Scorecard.)

Photo: Debra De Vries-Dalton 2016 ANNUAL 25

Why I Advocate I used to roll my eyes when people told me I should
get to “know” my representatives. UGH. Life
Barbara A. Yaeger, ASLA was so busy already, trying to keep up with the
President, CTASLA changes in technology, starting a company and
learning all the forms, taxes, licenses, permits, etc. —
26 that felt like enough to keep me busy. Besides, let’s
be real — what could I really do? Only the people who
give big money and have prestige get the attention
of politicians. AND I was never a political person, nor

CONNECTICUT LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE

Cannon House Office Building, Washington, DC, Photo: EPNAC.com educate and work to clarify licensure for landscape
during ASLA Advocacy Day 2015 architects. As “stewards of the land,” part of our role
is to understand the implications of actions by our leg-
did I want to be a part of that. The most political I got islature. In 2015 alone, we saw the following bills and
was …voting. proposals:
But during the last few years working with CTASLA,
and ASLA at the national level, I have learned that • Proposed Sales Tax on Architecture/Engineering/
spending a small bit of time and energy to say what Landscape Architecture Services.
YOU think gets more done then you can imagine. If
they are not listening to you…they are listening to • Public Act 15-28, which has been adopted in
someone else. One person talked to their legislator response to the Lombardi v State of Connecticut
last year, and that started months of work for us to Supreme Court ruling in the fall of 2011.

2016 ANNUAL • Senate Bill No. 158, Public Act No. 15-104, “An Act
Concerning Landscape Architect Licenses.”

These laws have a direct impact on the public
and a landscape architect’s professional practice.
But how many times have you explained at a party
what a landscape architect really does? So you can
imagine how many politicians do not know what we
do and, worse yet, why it is important! How can a
legislator know everything? They count on thoughtful
professionals to provide them with solid information
and facts. For issues that affect landscape architecture,
that is ASLA and our Connecticut Chapter. We both
work efficiently with our membership dollars to
provide amazing results, but only YOU can effectively
get the message to your legislator. Become that
person for your representatives!
ASLA understands that we’re all busy. So they
have made it EASY for you to speak up. I receive their
advocacy email notices often. Sometimes I just fill out
the basics and hit send. If I have time I can customize a
letter to emphasize issues I think are relevant to us in
Connecticut or that I am particularly passionate about.
On the state level, CTASLA is working to provide
the same level of ease. Through the participation of
enough members we can create a strong voice that
will echo and amplify. Next time your representative
— whether local, state or national — has a meet-
and-greet function, meet with them! Or set up an
appointment. If you need a little guidance, email or call
us. We can help get you the handouts you need that
can direct your representatives to the resources they
might want to use. And we can provide you with some
facts about landscape architecture.
The next time ASLA or CTASLA sends out a call for
help, please answer. Often each one of us will speak
for many, and so every voice does make a difference.

27

In addition to their involvement at the state and
local level, representatives from the 48 ASLA
chapters descend upon Washington, DC every year
in May for national Advocacy Day. Above, Mark
Cason, ASLA Manager of Government Affairs, greets
chapter representatives before their visit to the
Capitol to meet with congressmen to discuss the
issues important to landscape architects.

iAdvocate Photos: EPNAC.com

Learn more: advocate.asla.org CONNECTICUT LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE
28

While in Washington, CTASLA Trustee Bob Golde (left)
and chapter President Barbara Yaeger presented
ASLA President Richard Zweifel, FASLA with a check
for $1,899, the first of three such donations from the
Connecticut Chapter toward the construction of the
new Center For Landscape Architecture, a $6 million
renovation project that will transform the ASLA
headquarters into a world-class facility, dramatically
enhancing the Society’s ability to be a convener among
design professionals, allied industries, public officials,
and the general public.

A state-of-the art meeting, reception, and exhibition
center on the first floor will provide an attractive
and flexible venue for events, educational programs,
and exhibitions. The Center will complement and
integrate the building’s existing award-winning green
roof as well as the developing Chinatown Green
Street Demonstration Project; core to its design is an
enhanced street presence.

Why $1,899? The year ASLA was founded, of course.

Conceptual drawings by Gensler

The ASLA Center for
Landscape Architecture

Learn more: cla.asla.org

2016 ANNUAL 29

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2016 ANNUAL

Thanks for the Memorials

I t’s strange to come “home” from a combat theater and not only

feel like a complete stranger in a world that was once your
own, but also to have no place to connect to the world from
which you just came. War memorials tend to be a bit behind
in the making, as there are often years that pass during a
current war that there is no memorial in place. Eventually,
once the funding becomes available, the designs are vetted
and approved, and the project bid and constructed, we start to
see these tributes appear. As a U.S. Marine Corps veteran of this
generation, seeing Iraq and Afghanistan memorials does provide
a certain something, if not closure to the event, at the least a place
of solace, a place for quiet meditation and reflection, a place dedicated to
connecting with the men and women you once served with, some who are no longer with us. These
memorials are not just for veterans, but also for the families and friends who are the main support
group for those servicemen and women deployed.
The United States owes its veterans. There remains a large amount of work ahead of us still to reform
our VA healthcare system and provide sufficient mental and physical care to all returning veterans
from both current and previous wars. We also need to significantly reduce the number of veteran
suicides, as well as provide better care for families during deployments.
Let’s be honest: memorials don’t do it all. But they certainly do something. And it’s better than
nothing. And if it’s what we as design professionals can contribute to helping veterans and their
families cope with the challenges of war, as well as a general education to the public, then we’re
doing our part.

34 CONNECTICUT LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE

State Veterans Veterans Memorials
Cemetery
35
Middletown

page 36

Veterans Memorial
at Minuteman Park

Hartford

page 40

World War One
Memorial

Hartford

page 44

Memorial
Rehabilitations

New Britain

page 48

This segment focuses on some of the larger veterans memorial projects in the state of
Connecticut, ranging from cemeteries to memorial plazas to the necessary upkeep of
existing memorials. As landscape architects, we are poised to help communities make
these ideas a reality. We hope this inspires local governments to dedicate an effort to
caring for our veterans — all who gave some, and some who gave all for their country.

From CTASLA to all our veterans: Soldiers, Airmen, Sailors, Marines, and Coast
Guardsmen — THANK YOU!

— Michael Hunton, ASLA

2016 ANNUAL

State Veterans Cemetery

Middletown, CT

by Dean A. Johnson, FASLA

I n 1979, the public notice for a new veterans and planted embankments which allowed for
grave site plateaus.
cemetery offered Johnson + Dee a chance We discovered fairly quickly that the soil was
to design a significant place of honor for our very dense and held water for a long time. The
veterans. At the signing of the contract, we were land sloped from one end to the other over 50
also handed a volume of regulations for veterans feet. With a requirement that the maximum
cemeteries produced by the federal government surface slope on all grave sites be 2-3%, we knew
governing everything from the minimum that creating one massive cut or a series of pla-
number of graves down to the maximum pitch teaus would be necessary to achieve that result.
on the grave surface. After several studies of the total parcel of land,
The main features of the cemetery are a bou- it was decided that a series of plateaus was the
levard off the main public road to the interior most practical — both from a cost and a design
ring road, the administrative/service building,

Views from CONNECTICUT LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE
1979, 1989

and 2013
(opposite).

36

standpoint — allowing the design to stay close as ever seen. We ended up spending half of our
close as possible to existing grades. million dollar (1979) budget underground; but it
Although we had designed the grading for the has proved itself worthwhile over the decades.
entire site, we knew that we were going to need The planting design for the cemetery is fairly
assistance on the site drainage, specifically on the straightforward. Along the entire road system
underdrainage system. Stiff soil and underground are Sycamore Trees (London Planetrees) planted
burials were not a good mix. The final under- at regular intervals. On the embankments are
drainage design was the most extensive I have white pines and rhododendron. I wouldn’t

2016 ANNUAL 37

specify white pine today, but the cemetery has
been maintaining them well.
The cemetery was originally constructed
to meet the demand of aging WWII veterans.
It is now filled to capacity. It was encouraging
to visit the site several years ago on Memorial
Day. Not only were there vehicles parked to
visit the graves of the loved ones, but many
more were just driving through the cemetery.
And most interesting of all, there were many
people with folding chairs and tables having a
picnic in memory of their departed veterans. The
state veterans cemetery has transformed into a
memorial park, and further validates the impor-
tance of honoring our veterans.

— Dean A. Johnson, FASLA Emeritus, retired from
private practice, resides part time in Costa Rica.

The state veterans cemetery has CONNECTICUT LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE
transformed into a memorial park,
and further validates the importance
of honoring our veterans.

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2016 ANNUAL

Veterans Memorial
at Minuteman Park

Hartford, CT

by Joseph Kelleher, ASLA

R ecently completed, and dedicated on

Veterans Day 2015, Veterans Memorial
at Minuteman Park provides the State
of Connecticut with a setting to honor the brave
members of the United States Armed Forces.
Landscape architects at BL Companies took the
lead role in the design and construction of this
monumental public space, which was planned as
an open plaza to accommodate large Memorial Day
and Veterans Day events. Located directly in front
of the Hartford State Armory, there could not be a
more fitting place for this memorial.
40 CONNECTICUT LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE

Photos: © Heather Conley Photography Veterans Day,
2015

The plaza includes extensive custom-designed The solid curved Honor Wall is made from 25
and fabricated stone elements including a 12' tall custom-cut slabs of jet-mist granite and incor-
solid granite Colonnade with five flush-mounted, porates 13 flush-mounted stainless steel flag
cast-bronze military plaques representing each sleeves along the top. Mounted on the back side
branch of the Armed Forces. Although massive, the of the Honor Wall are five color porcelain service
columns were carefully detailed to appear light and emblems and the phrase “Honoring Those Who
uplifting by incorporating a tapered chamfer which Served” spelled out in bold bronze letters.
begins at the plaques and grows as it extends upward At the center of the plaza is a jet-mist granite
to the solid granite capital and lintel. Standing pentagon engraved with the State of Connecticut
strong in a sea of large cut granite pavers, the barre seal. Extra-large 6' x 2' granite war epoch markers
gray colonnade appears nearly white in front of the are located throughout the plaza and memo-
dark jet-mist granite of the curved Honor Wall. rialize wars throughout U.S. history, from the

2016 ANNUAL 41

Revolutionary War to Iraq. Personal engraved granite Located
pavers were purchased by donors to remember their directly in
loved ones, and these pavers were front of the
incorporated into the memorial. Hartford State
Custom accent and Armory, there could
security lighting can not be a more fitting
be found throughout place for this memorial.
the project including
in-ground tree and flag
pole up-lighting, and five
unique types of recessed
LED accent lights in the plaza.
BL Companies coordinated
with Apex Lighting to develop
an attractive lighting plan for this
unique space.
Eight ‘Valley Forge’ American Elm trees
will provide shade as their upward arching
branches mature. Low perennials and orna-
mental grasses along with two small bosques of
flowering trees complete the understated landscape.

— Joseph Kelleher is a former Project Landscape
Architect with BL Companies in Hartford.

© Heather Conley Photography

42 CONNECTICUT LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE