Members of the Minnesota Chapter
of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) will celebrate National
Landscape Architecture Month by collaborating with a charter school on innovative
ideas for its schoolyard and assessing the walkability and bikeability of its
neighborhood.
They will end the month with an exhibit in the Minnesota State Capitol building
highlighting the work of landscape architects and recognizing the building's
100th anniversary. The theme for National Landscape Architecture Month is Design
for Active Living, highlighting ways community design affects residents' daily
activity levels and, in turn, their overall health.
Studies show that access to resources such as parks, recreational facilities,
bicycle paths, walking trails, and sidewalks can increase physical activity
among residents, lowering obesity and improving health.
- April 16, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.: Design Charette for New City School, 229
13th Avenue NE, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55413. Minnesota ASLA Chapter members
will collaborate with New City School in a day-long "charette" -- an intense
design jam session -- to assist the school in developing innovative ideas
for its schoolyard and assessing the walkability and bikeability of its neighborhood.
Located in northeast Minneapolis, New City School is a public charter school
in its second year of operation. It recognizes the importance of a well-designed
learning environment to its mission, and the school is excited about the prospect
of the charette. For more information on the charette, please contact Michael
Jischke, ASLA, at 763-475-0010 or mjischke@srfconsulting.com.
- April 24 - 30, Exhibit at the Minnesota State Capitol Building, North Corridor.
Minnesota ASLA Chapter members will be promoting the profession and recognizing
the work of members with an exhibit for legislators, their staff, and the
general public. The display will highlight the unique skills that landscape
architects can offer, recent award winners, valued places in Minnesota, the
upcoming 2006 national convention to be held in Minneapolis, and will recognize
the Capitol Building's 100th Anniversary.
"Years ago, we all used to walk to school, to the store, to the park, or to
a friend's house, but now we often are unable to walk or bike anywhere safely,
because our communities are designed mainly for car travel," said John Slack,
ASLA, president of the Minnesota chapter of the ASLA. "The change from a pedestrian
to a commuter lifestyle has fueled an epidemic of obesity in the U.S., particularly
among children. As landscape architects, working with public officials, developers,
and residents, we can design active living components back into our communities.
We want to encourage everyone to look at their communities during April and
become advocates for an environment that is more exercise-friendly."
For more information on supporting or participating in the Minnesota ASLA
Chapter activities, please contact chapter National Landscape Architecture Month
coordinator Michael Jischke, ASLA,
at 763-475-0010 or mjischke@srfconsulting.com.