Design Workshop's Lake Tahoe Office Receives Two "Project of the Year" Awards for Heritage Bark Park

Awards Recognize Firm's Sustainable Design and Planning Efforts for the Largest Dog Park in the Las Vegas Valley

6 April 2011

Lake Tahoe – Design Workshop, an international landscape architecture, land planning, urban design and strategic services firm with six offices in the U.S. and work spanning the globe, recently received “Project of the Year” awards from the Nevada chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) and the Nevada Recreation & Parks Society (NRPS) for its project work on Heritage Bark Park. The awards are among the highest local honors presented by these organizations.

Overview of Heritage Bark Park (Henderson, Nevada)
The Heritage Bark Park project was designed as a sustainable social space that promotes connectivity and outdoor recreation for the Henderson community. The nine-acre park in the Las Vegas Valley is a place for neighbors and their families (both human and canine) to meet and mingle. Based on public input, a design was created that included play features for both dogs and people while creating an inviting outdoor space. In addition, Design Workshop collaborated closely throughout the process with key officials from the City of Henderson to develop the final design and vision for the park. The park was designed and built in a 12-month time period as a fast-tracked first phase to the overall, new 160-acre Heritage Park Campus.

As the largest dog park in the Las Vegas Valley, the project features three safe yet distinct dog runs with a variety of amenities along with separate spaces for different pet personalities. A ceremonial park entry with permeable paving and custom shade structures and dog bone shaped benches were combined with original artwork to create a fun and relaxing atmosphere. The design successfully established a recreational setting for dog owners and their pets, and has generated great excitement and pride among Henderson residents.

Highlights of Heritage Bark Park

• Design for human and dog comfort by providing shade, water, seating and seasonal interest.
• Adheres to sustainability requirements by embracing the desert environment through the use of water harvesting techniques, on-site water storm management, permeable paving, maintaining the urban forestry plan and providing 50 percent shade coverage over all hard surface paving.
• Maximizes depth and interest in the landscape with the use of diverse native rocks while minimizing the use of lawn and water thirsty plants.
• Promotes connectivity to surrounding neighborhoods by enhancing access to the park and trail system that connects to Lake Mead Parkway and the River Mountain Loop Trail.
• Themed with dog bowl planters, dog bone benches, a large sculptural puppy named “Barkules” by local kids, and a soon-to-be constructed “Dog House” restroom; all elements which add useful and creative public artwork.

About Design Workshop
Founded in 1969, Design Workshop is an international landscape architecture, land planning, urban design and strategic services firm with six offices in the U.S. and work spanning the globe. The firm has been recognized with over 150 prestigious awards for its work in new communities, urban centers, resorts, public parks, golf courses and residences. The firm's philosophy challenges the project team to equally integrate and balance artistic vision, environmental sensitivity, community values and sound economics to create unique places that stand the test of time. It refers to this approach as DW Legacy Design®.