Small Towns, Big Impact

Exemplary design isn’t just found in big cities. Many landscape solutions can address the unique challenges facing small towns such as population decrease, declining downtowns, reliance on automobiles for transit, and loss of community character. Small cities and towns throughout the United States are developing innovative responses to all of these challenges through landscape architecture. This collection features exemplary projects in towns and cities with fewer than 100,000 residents that are bringing high-performing projects to small-town America.  

1. Case Study Brief

   

   Uptown Normal Circle and Streetscape

   Normal, Illinois

   “This newly activated space serves a "town green" for Normal, Illinois, a city of under 60,000 people that was experiencing issues with traffic and a declining downtown. The new traffic circle and park with integrated stormwater infrastructure and plenty of gathering space helps to activate the downtown and provides safer pedestrian and traffic circulation. ”

2. Case Study Brief

   

   Blue Hole Regional Park

   Wimberley, Texas

   “A jewel of rural Texas, the town of Wimberly has a population under 3,000 and the best swimming hole in the area. Previously "loved to death" with a rapidly degrading landscape, Blue Hole Regional Park is now a desirable recreation area that maintains the swimming hole's beloved character while making its natural surroundings accessible to many more users. ”

3. Case Study Brief

   

   Sioux Falls Downtown River Greenway

   Sioux Falls, South Dakota

   “Many small cities are defined by their water bodies, and Sioux Falls, South Dakota is no exception. The Downtown River Greenway along the Sioux River encourages bike and kayak usage to provide access to the natural beauty of the river for residents. ”

4. Case Study Brief

   

   Park Avenue/US 50, Phase 1 Redevelopment

   South Lake Tahoe, California

   “Located in a small town resort community, South Lake Tahoe's Park Avenue Redevelopment was carefully planned to enhance the town's scenic quality and improve ecological function. This response was highly site-specific and reacted to the town's role as a popular tourist destination in the Lake Tahoe area. ”

5. Case Study Brief

   

   Wayne Ferguson Plaza

   Lewisville, Texas

   “Although close to Dallas, Texas, "Old Town" Lewisville boasts its own small-town identity that is reflected in Wayne Ferguson Plaza's iconic town square design. As the town competes for new residents with other towns in the Dallas metro area, the square makes Lewisville stand out by highlighting the history of the area and promoting community in this historic Dallas suburb. ”

6. Case Study Brief

   

   Main Street Square

   Rapid City, South Dakota

   “This design for the central square of Rapid City, South Dakota heavily draws on the city's rural Black Hills context with its artistic installations and materials. The square has become a popular place for outdoor events, concerts, local art, and other activities, all programmed by a local nonprofit that seeks to make downtown Rapid City a lively destination for locals and visitors. ”