Project: Parks + Recreation

How does one adequately describe the beauty, the uniqueness, the unsurpassed historical significance of a place like the Gorge in Richmond Indiana? Complete with expansive forested areas, a shallow, but beautiful meandering river, the Gorge extends all the way through Richmond and through downtown. Formed originally by receding glaciers, the Gorge is still home to thousands of fossils dating back to the Ordovician Period attracting hundreds of visitors each year. Noteworthy: Hoagy Carmichael recorded his first version of “Stardust” in the Gorge which started the beginning of its unique place in jazz history. A variety of mills once thrived in the area. We wish we could take full credit for the beauty of this trail project, but we can’t. What we can take credit for is the sensitive alignment and design of the trail, the protection of views, habitat, vegetation, telling its unique story, all while enhancing the trail users’ experience.

PROJECTS / Parks + Recreation

Whitewater Valley Gorge Trail

How does one adequately describe the beauty, the uniqueness, the unsurpassed historical significance of a place like the Gorge in Richmond Indiana? Complete with expansive forested areas, a shallow, but beautiful meandering river, the Gorge extends all the way through Richmond and through downtown. Formed originally by receding glaciers, the Gorge is still home to thousands of fossils dating back to the Ordovician Period attracting hundreds of visitors each year. Noteworthy: Hoagy Carmichael recorded his first version of “Stardust” in the Gorge which started the beginning of its unique place in jazz history. A variety of mills once thrived in the area. Landstory took special care relative to the alignment and design of the trail, the protection of views, habitat, vegetation, telling its unique story, all while enhancing the trail users’ experience.

There are not many cities in the U.S. that can boast having a state park right smack in the center of their downtown. But Indianapolis can. As a consultant to a national Landscape Architecture firm, Landstory brought a local understanding and vision to the planning effort, to make sure the values, public vision and the local history were understood and appropriately translated as part of the Master Plan recommendations. Landstory was also responsible for the design and development of a number of details as part of the implementation including the canal walls, seating, lighting and landscape design. In addition to all we learned about the White River and the tow-path, we also learned riding bicycles in blowing snow is not for the weak of heart.

PROJECTS / Parks + Recreation

White River State Park

There are not many cities in the U.S. that can boast having a state park right in the center of their downtown, but Indianapolis can. As a consultant to a national Landscape Architecture firm, Landstory brought a local understanding and vision to the planning effort, to make sure the values, public vision and the local history were understood and appropriately translated as part of the Master Plan recommendations. Landstory was also responsible for the design and development of a number of details as part of the implementation including the canal walls, seating, lighting and landscape design. In addition to all we learned about the White River and the tow-path, we also learned riding bicycles in blowing snow is not for the weak of heart.

World-famous Santa Claus, Indiana is known for its famous namesake and Holiday World theme park. It’s a popular destination for family fun, especially during the holidays. The town of Santa Claus invested in a plan for a 5-mile, multi-use trail to connect Santa Claus, Indiana and Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial as part of the American Discovery Trail. Landstory was responsible for developing the trail themes, including Lincoln boyhood heritage, Santa Claus culture and family entertainment. The trail design includes a trailhead, roadway crossing, node design and sustainable design elements including native plants, native stone and historic and interpretive ‘storytelling’ opportunities. The project is slated for construction in 2018.

PROJECTS / Parks + Recreation

Santa Claus–Lincoln Discovery Trail

World-famous Santa Claus, Indiana is known for its famous namesake and Holiday World theme park. It’s a popular destination for family fun, especially during the holidays. The town of Santa Claus invested in a plan for a 5-mile, multi-use trail to connect Santa Claus, Indiana and Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial as part of the American Discovery Trail. Landstory was responsible for developing the trail themes, including Lincoln boyhood heritage, Santa Claus culture and family entertainment. The trail design includes a trailhead, roadway crossing, node design and sustainable design elements including native plants, native stone and historic and interpretive ‘storytelling’ opportunities. The project is slated for construction in 2018.

Completed in the summer of 2016, this 1-mile trail connects existing campgrounds, a boat launch and beach, enabling families to walk and bicycle safely. Trail alignment is sensitively integrated into the existing rolling and wooded terrain, minimizing tree clearing and excavation while providing accessibility. Design considerations included roadway crossings, connections to the campground, camp store, beach house and retaining walls, signs, guard rail and native plantings.

PROJECTS / Parks + Recreation

Raccoon Lake State Recreation Area Trail

Completed in the summer of 2016, this 1-mile trail connects existing campgrounds, a boat launch and beach, enabling families to walk and bicycle safely. Trail alignment is sensitively integrated into the existing rolling and wooded terrain, minimizing tree clearing and excavation while providing accessibility. Design considerations included roadway crossings, connections to the campground, camp store, beach house and retaining walls, signs, guard rail and native plantings.

The City of Noblesville hired Landstory to prepare a feasibility study and concept plan involving conversion of an existing industrial brownfield site into the city’s first Bark Park. Landstory developed several park concepts with amenities, dog runs, a rotation area, restroom building, gazebo, walking trails and parking.

PROJECTS / Parks + Recreation

Firestone Reuse Park

The City of Noblesville hired Landstory to prepare a feasibility study and concept plan involving conversion of an existing industrial brownfield site into the city’s first Bark Park. Landstory developed several park concepts with amenities, dog runs, a rotation area, restroom building, gazebo, walking trails and parking.