ISG Parks, Trails, and Urban Areas

Serene. Connected. Sustainable.

Focus

Flowing, integrated connections and positive blend between natural and built environment. Preservation and growth of our communities most desired, and treasured assets. Bolstered economic development opportunities to complement growth and sustainability.

Specialties

East Medicine Lake Park Plymouth, MN

The City of Plymouth coordinated with ISG park designers to re-imagine East Medicine Lake Park laying the groundwork for a more connected and enhanced place to gather and play.

The project included communal gathering spaces that promote a highly social and interactive destination through unique playground equipment and shelter with storage and restroom facility. Site layout supports optimal sight lines and connection between the playground, beach, and trail entrances.

Glen Park Pavilion River Falls, WI

Glen Park offers historic architecture, dynamic natural landscapes, and recreation opportunities that include a series of nature and paved trails that connect to a greater trails system. With ISG’s multi-disciplinary expertise and approach, the team was able to maintain the historical beauty while implementing futuristic designs to maintain the park’s sentimental value. Maintaining the goals and needs of Glen Park, significant public involvement was incorporated into the preliminary design phase. To continue the involvement of the public, ISG collected information from the Park and Recreation Advisory Board, River Falls community members, stakeholders, and City staff to gain the full vision of Glen Park’s future.

Levee Park + Main Street Winona, MN

The Levee Park project utilized collaborative efforts to revitalize Winona’s riverfront area. The redesigned Levee Park increases foot traffic and better connects Winona locals and tourists to the natural beauty of Winona.

One of the main features of Levee Park is the elevated plaza that provides both indoor and outdoor usage to visitors. The park provides water jets, an artful splash-pad, winter ice skating, and performance seating throughout the site, with improved wayfinding, and lighting.

Levee Park Climbing Boulders Winona, MN

The climbing boulders at Levee Park are a fun and unique amenity for park users and was the first piece of the 2020 Levee Park Master Plan implemented at the park. ISG worked closely with the City and Eric Barnard, Director of Outdoor Education and Recreation Center at Winona State University, to come up with a vision and design to implement two climbing boulders for public use. Both of the climbing boulders, which stand over 10’ tall and weigh over 24,500 lbs., have stunning views of the Mississippi River. The boulders were provided by Eldorado Climbing Walls, experts in climbing products based out of Colorado. This truly special park amenity will be enjoyed by both novice and expert climbers alike and provides park goers with a superior experience that will bring them back for more.

Hot Springs Riverfront Walk Hot Springs, SD

The City of Hot Springs is working with ISG to facilitate the design of up to a 2,100 linear-foot cantilever walkway that will run along North River Street from near Minnekahta Avenue to University Avenue.

The new community destination will provide unique sightlines to Fall River, Centennial Park, Hot Springs Waterfall, Kidney Spring Gazebo, and Hot Springs’ historic downtown. ISG is collaborating with the City and local stakeholders and the South Dakota Department of Transportation (SDDOT) to develop a plan that meets the needs of the City while still adhering to SDDOT standards and safety requirements. The final design is a one-of-a-kind cantilevered walkway that extends over the river floodwall, provides views up and down the river corridor, adds pedestrian circulation on both sides of the highway, and provides a pedestrian bridge connection over the river. The railing of the cantilevered walk will be adorned with custom art pieces that recognize Veterans.

Lake Park Playground Winona, MN

ISG worked with the City and Webber Recreational Design to create the City’s largest playground to date at nearly 15,000 SF. The entire safety surface system is a multi-colored poured-in-place surfacing making the space fully accessible for all ages and abilities. The playground includes a fluid play surfacing layout, a nod to nearby Winona Lake, that artistically separates the play spaces for younger children and higher traffic areas. The playground is fully surrounded by a concrete walk and landscaping with various pockets of small group seating areas for picnicking and casual group seating. The project also renovated the small parking lot to provide better access and connect to the enhanced portable restroom facility.

New Veterans Park Village of Howard, WI

The Village sought ISG’s visualization support in an effort to fundraise for the North East Wisconsin (NEW) Veterans Memorial, a memorial meant to honor 12 different conflicts in U.S. history. Through coordination with the memorial committee leadership and a representative from St. Norbert’s College Art History department, the existing concept was refined to incorporate layers of places for intentional and passive visitors to experience the park. A series of plan, perspective ,and pedestrian views were created to visually describe the memorial site concept and jump start fundraising efforts for this impactful project.

Exposition Park Fort Dodge, IA

The proposed design plays off existing site topography to create rolling landforms upon which to play. Meandering walks curve around existing, mature trees and new berms to create an open-air sculpture park.

Berms with artful rolling forms provide spaces for pedestals and platforms displaying installations by local artists. A picnic shelter with a unique shape and perforated roof design is envisioned to anchor the north-central portion of the site, adjacent to the existing, preserved tree feature wall. A small natural play area sits nearby activating one of the new landforms.

Hormel Nature Center Austin, MN

The Jay C. Hormel Nature Center was meant to inspire and encourage families to enjoy and appreciate the great outdoors, demonstrate sustainability practices, and educate visitors about the environment.

The planning process for the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center was divided into two phases, each of which integrated sustainability into facility assessment, development, and construction. Throughout the project, the Center’s environmental values shaped building plans. In addition to the Center, ISG designs facilitated the construction of a new maintenance facility, which relied on salvaged parts from a former building. Additionally, material from the old parking lot was reused to reduce the materials needed for the new lot. This eco-friendly planning fulfilled the Center’s mission to exemplify caring for the earth while decorative stone, wooden exterior, and bird-safe windows reinforce connections with nature.

Riverfront Park Mankato, MN

Riverfront Park, located just north of downtown Mankato is helping to rejuvenate the Old Town District and offers a critical link to the City’s commitment to urban planning. The park provides a new venue for festivals and concerts, improves access to the popular Sakatah Bike Trail, preserves open space for the community, and allows visitors to reconnect to the Minnesota River with access for kayaking and fishing. Educational kiosks dotted along the park highlight features including an artesian well, plus it identifies the local ecology, geology, and native plants of the Minnesota River Valley. A new 1,240 square-foot Riverfront Pavilion, including public restrooms, a lobby, and a sheltered picnic area is the central commons area for the park and provides a convenient and user-friendly place to gather. The Pavilion—designed to echo Mankato’s past—blends in with the nearby historic buildings.

Sioux City Promenade Sioux City, IA

The Sioux City Promenade is located in the heart of downtown Sioux City, Iowa. The promenade is a public space adjacent to the local movie theatre and the Sioux City Convention Center. The promenade attracts many visitors and serves as the City’s cultural and community destination. The city of Sioux City partnered with ISG to revitalize and the promenade by replacing the concrete and aging pavers, adding a new planting plan, modern site furnishings, and a concrete seating wall. Additionally ISG removed approximately 50% of the paved surface to incorporate Bioretention cells, green space, and soil quality restoration. This design introduces more natural landscapes, trees, and plant species to the area, as well as leverage naturally occurring biological processes to reduce erosion and water pollution during rain events. Today, the Promenade is a more popular gathering spot than ever, and permanent signage educates visitors on the purpose and benefits of sustainable urban design.

Oleson Park Fort Dodge, IA

The Oleson Park project made updates to existing facilities, barnyard improvements, the addition of trail paths, incorporates a pond as well as, viewing areas site-wide.

The master plan’s overall design style takes a modern approach to the vernacular, barnyard aesthetic. Highlighted by plans for the entry plaza and community shelter, white wood siding, steel roofs, sliding barn doors, and glazing meld the two styles and create an open, clean barn style space for visitors. Gateway designs beckon users towards viewing areas and water features within where ISG’s proposed trails will lead visitors across bridges, through wooded areas, and over to existing band shell, splash pad, and renovated animal petting areas.

Glen Park Splash-Pad River Falls, WI

Working with the city of River Falls, ISG developed three different options to upgrade the existing pool to accommodate all age groups. It was determined that the integration of splash pad, which is around 2,000 SF and a combination of in-ground and overground features with a re-circulatory system was the best option. The splash pad was designed in a way that allows for future expansions. The design also includes overhead shade structures, planting areas and protective fencing.

Des Moines Area MPO Water Trails Des Moines, IA

The Des Moines Area MPO led efforts to create the Greater Des Moines Water Trails and Greenway Plan, which recommended a total of 145 proposed amenities along 150 miles of waterways throughout central Iowa.

Partnering with ISG’s water quality, planning, and recreation team, the MPO determined the feasibility of each improvement, bringing visions to life by developing conceptual site plans for each, and outlining the necessary permits, construction timeline, and opinion of probable costs for the system’s 16+ locations. The end result is an implementable path forward for each of the jurisdictions along the nine rivers and creeks, with recommendations that include water access, improved habitat, stream restoration, and green infrastructure, connections to existing parks and trails, and public art.

Alexander Ramsey Park Redwood Falls, IA

Incorporating existing survey data, maps, and resources, ISG developed a report that organizes potential trends, current goals, and a future vision of Ramsey Park. The popularity of recreational activities and feedback from previous open houses shaped which improvements were most important, and were prioritized on a short, mid, and long-term scale. Short-term goals, such as renovating the restroom and refurbishing walking trails, were determined to increase visitor safety, as well as have a high interest within the community. The plan is also used as a supporting document for grant applications, including the Minnesota Park & Trail Legacy program, spurring necessary changes that allow Ramsey Park to better serve visitors.

Lake Washington Regional Park + Campground Le Sueur County, MN

Lake Washington Regional Park + Campground has a stretch of undeveloped shoreline and is the only park located on Lake Washington, the most heavily developed and used lake in Le Sueur County.

Having designed the first phase of development for Lake Washington Regional Park and Campground, ISG later developed a master plan focused on enhancing access and attracting visitors to the 166-acre destination park. The master plan included a campground with restrooms and showers, playground equipment, a picnic shelter, horseshoe pit, volleyball court, and additional trails throughout the park. The plan provides a local park with desirable amenities, while at the same time protecting one of the last pristine areas along Lake Washington.

Bay Shore Park New Franken, WI

Bay Shore Park is located on the east shore of the Bay of Green Bay and provides exposure to the waterfront with fishing and camping opportunities.

As the access to public waters is ever more desirable, Brown County Parks and Recreation in Green Bay set their sights on improving the well-loved existing county park and harbor on the Bay of Green Bay. ISG coordinated strategic partners to provide an integrated site and harbor design components, implementing innovative technology, such as drone, visualization, and 3D imaging services to ensure the design vision was clear for all. The park’s location on the Bay, it’s unique ecology as part of the Niagara Escarpment, and steep terrain draws a large number of visitors, but also cause conflicts and safety concerns between various park user groups—boaters, campers, beach-goers, neighbors, and sight-seers. ISG’s tactics sought to provide practical, long-lasting design solutions and to integrate a large pool of community feedback, all within the context of COVID-19 required physical distancing

Wright County Trails Master Plan Wright Country, IA

To match the growing population and economy of the area, Wright County brought in ISG to develop a 25- year vision for trail development in the County, which was aimed at improving the quality of life of residents and capitalizing on the influx of economic activity. ISG and the County established a committee made up of representatives for the various area communities, and they identified tasks geared toward the overall betterment of the County. In the resulting plan, ISG identified priority corridors that could connect the communities in Wright County for an eventual regional trail network. Connecting communities and outdoor amenities, the 40+ miles of the Wright County Trails System will provide a pleasant experience for various types of trail users from all backgrounds and experience levels. Users will be able to drop off their vehicles at any of the parking areas or trailheads located throughout the system prior to beginning their journey. Informational and directional signage will greet users and clearly define access locations, natural amenities, tourist points of interest, and community information. Along the multi-use trails and bike shoulders, trail users will have access to amenities and services including camping areas, wildlife areas, picnic shelters, restrooms and water stations, and water access points.

Webster County Conservation Board (WCCB) finalized its Strategic Plan in 2017, identifying the critical issues of managing multi-faceted growth, diversifying revenue, creating a brand and image, growing participation in programming, and balancing the values of conservation and recreation throughout the system. The Master Planning improvements established strategic and unique themes, amplified elements of existing assets and amenities, established greater connectivity to riverfront amenities, as well as identified key conservation and restoration priorities, greenways, and trails. The improvements also created opportunities to interact with nature, improving fishing amenities and determined future nature center location. Webster County Conservative Master Plan Webster County, IA

Lake Isabel Park Hastings, MN

Lake Isabel Park, a large neighborhood park, has not seen improvements in over twenty-five years. To best serve community members and visitors and fill recreation gaps within the City, ISG provided the City with a new Master Plan that ultimately created a vision for a welcoming, inclusive, and unique neighborhood park. This master planning process will guide future improvements and inform City budgeting considerations. Prior to the design of the Master Plan, ISG worked with the City on a comprehensive public engagement process that included a multi-month project website soliciting public feedback, two in-person open houses at Lake Isabel Park, and a presentation to the Parks and Recreation Commission before presenting the Preferred Master Plan to City Council. The main enhancements to the park include a new playground, centrally located picnic shelter with views of Lake Isabel, a relocated half-court basketball facility, lake overlooks, improved site access, improved lake access, and bump-outs along 2nd street to calm neighborhood traffic.

A hidden gem, nestled in the center of Urbandale, Iowa is Jackaline Baldwin Dunlap Park and Arboretum. Donated to the City by Jackaline and Paul Dunlap, the park started as a secret garden in 1974 when the pair purchased the farmland around their Urbandale home and transformed the cornfield into a 12-acre outdoor retreat. With the goal of creating a space reminiscent of Iowa’s prairie past, Jackaline’s dream of having a protected arboretum for future generations to enjoy for years to come, came to life. The inspiration for the Master Plan was to integrate history and environmental stewardship elements throughout by designing different experience areas and outdoor learning spaces for people of all ages, and pay homage to the legacy of the park. A perennial garden and courtyard commemorate Jackaline and Paul’s gift to the City through the inclusion of features such as interpretive signage, a legacy wall, and public art. The donor plaque located at the main entrance draws inspiration from the park through a butterfly theme, recognizing donors and their continual support for the park and arboretum. Guiding the visitor experience, interpretative signage and tree identification signs are strategically placed throughout the 12 acres of the park. Jackaline Baldwin Dunlap Park + Arboretum Urbandale, IA

MAY, 2021

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