Portfolio Archive | Page 2 of 3

Dardenne Greenway At BaratHaven Park

Dardenne Prairie, MO

BaratHaven Park, an 80-acre park and the first project for the Dardenne Greenway, features a 15-acre lake with three scenic overlooks. Envisioned to beautify the surrounding neighborhood, the park offers an accessible lake, trails, and other improvements. The three-mile BaratHaven loop winds through residential areas in the BaratHaven community in St. Charles County, forming part of the larger 80-acre park. The greenway circles a 15-acre lake, enriched with wetlands to support native wildlife and plant habitats. To the east, the greenway extends into Bluebird Meadow Park, featuring a restored wetland and prairie landscape. This extension enables future connections to Busch Wildlife, protecting an oxbow and wetland while creating prairie acres.

Creating BaratHaven Park involved stabilizing and restoring scenic areas along Dardenne Creek and Old Dardenne Creek. Natural vegetation protects adjacent land, preserving the riparian corridor for wildlife and preventing soil erosion. New wetlands along the creeks further enrich habitats for native flora and fauna.

The Dardenne Greenway incorporates a sustainable plant palette with various native Missouri species. These plants are hardy, disease and insect resistant, and suitable for local soils. They provide privacy for nearby residential areas without hindering access, define special spaces, frame desirable views, offer shade along trails, and enhance wildlife habitats.

*Completed prior to establishing DG2

Centennial Greenway at 39 North Greenway

Olivette & Creve Coeur, MO

In 2019, Great Rivers Greenway team collaborated with the St. Louis Economic Development Partnership to engage stakeholders of the 39 North Agtech Innovation District (39 North) to create the 39N Greenway Plan. The plan refined the Centennial Greenway route through 39 North and identified new complementary greenway connections within the district. This project will extend the Centennial Greenway from Warson Park in Olivette, through 39 North, to the intersection of Lindbergh Blvd and Schuetz Rd in the City of Creve Coeur.

The project goals for the Centennial Greenway and the 39 North Greenway are:

– Extend the Centennial Greenway from Warson Park in the City of Olivette to the intersection of Lindbergh Blvd and Schuetz Rd in the City of Creve Coeur and unincorporated St. Louis County.

– Improve safety and comfort for people walking, running, bicycling, pushing a stroller, and using a wheelchair between Warson Park and the Lindbergh Blvd/ Schuetz Rd intersection and to the multiple activity centers within 39 North.

– Create safe greenway crossings at Olive Blvd, Warson Road, and Lindbergh Blvd.

The team is currently collaborating with Great Rivers Greenway to validate greenway routes within the project area and is working to develop a preliminary design for the greenway.

Belleview Farm Park Master Plan

The Belleview Farm, a historic 19th-century farmstead, was donated to St. Louis County by Harold K. Donnelly, with the deed specifying that the developed area must be maintained as a public park and the undeveloped portion as a wildlife and nature preserve. The St. Louis County Historic Buildings Commission interpreted the deed to also require the preservation of the main house, stone house, and winery as historic landmarks.

DG2 Design collaborated with the City of Wildwood and St. Louis County to create a Master Plan for the park. The 100-acre site, which includes pastures, meadows, and mature woodlands, offers dramatic topography with scenic views of the Meramec River valley. The design process prioritized preserving the historic structures and natural beauty while providing a destination for passive recreation. Extensive site analysis, including the documentation of historic and natural features, as well as topographical and drainage considerations, guided the design decisions to minimize environmental impact. Due to limited funding, the project is currently in a protection and restoration phase.

Gravois Greenway

DG2 Design led the landscape architecture and planning efforts for the expansion of the Gravois Greenway, a high-priority project for Great Rivers Greenway (GRG). This expansion extends Grant’s Trail from its previous endpoint at Orlando’s to the River des Peres Greenway, creating a critical connection across six densely populated municipalities and portions of unincorporated St. Louis County, from Kirkwood to the St. Louis City limits near River City Casino.

The landscape architecture approach focused on integrating the greenway with its natural surroundings, ensuring that native landscapes were incorporated throughout the corridor. This decision reduced long-term maintenance while providing essential ecosystem benefits such as shade, stormwater filtration, and habitat creation. The ten-mile Gravois Greenway now seamlessly connects with the eleven-mile River des Peres Greenway, forming a 21-mile paved pathway for walking, running, biking, and accessibility, linking parks, historic sites, and community amenities.

Key design features of the expansion include two bridges, a boardwalk through wetlands, a tunnel, and over 45,000 square feet of retaining walls, all of which required careful geotechnical considerations and water quality improvements. Extensive coordination with MoDOT was necessary to manage utility relocations, licensing, and approvals, as much of the alignment was within the MoDOT right-of-way.

Phased construction spanned several years, with the landscape architects beginning the planning process in 2012 and Phases 2 and 3 completing in 2020. These phases added neighborhood connections, a bridge across Bayless Avenue, an underpass under Weber Road, and new connections into the River des Peres Greenway. The newly completed Mysun Charitable Foundation Trailhead replaces the old southern trailhead, featuring amenities like restrooms, seating walls, a bike fix-it station, and native landscaping to manage stormwater and support wildlife.

This greenway expansion is more than just a recreational path; it links six towns, passes historic sites like Grant’s Farm, connects parks and community resources, and provides a sustainable, well-designed space for residents to enjoy for years to come.

AWARDS

2022 ASCE’s Engineering Excellence Award

170330 Gravois Overall Route Plan Rendering + Aerial

Kinetic Park

In 2020, St. Charles County rebranded the Youth Activity Park as Kinetic Park, embracing the theme of “energy in motion through adventure and play.” As part of this rebranding, the team DG2, and Vireo developed a master plan update for the park. In July 2022, Phase 1 of the redesigned park was completed, featuring an upgraded skateboarding area and new parking facilities. Currently under construction, Phase 2 aims to transform Kinetic Park from a teen-focused facility into a destination for families and users of all ages and abilities. Key elements of the renovation include:

A new park entrance
A 40,000-square-foot, universally designed adventure playground
Renovation of the existing pond and walkways
Renovation of the current building.
Construction of a new 8,000-square-foot building featuring a 5,000-square-foot indoor/outdoor multi-use space, marked for pickleball with three indoor courts, expanded restrooms, concession and dining areas, additional office space and a state-of-the-art e-sports arena.

While it may seem counterintuitive to bring kids to a park and then indoors, the e-sports arena is designed to provide an inclusive environment where children of all abilities can compete on an equal playing field. This includes opportunities for kids in wheelchairs to compete alongside their peers both in the e-sports arena and outdoors on the adventure playground.

The new playground will be a fully inclusive space, featuring swings, slides, climbers, spinners, two rentable shelters, and three interactive play towers connected by ropes and bridges. The entire project is scheduled for completion by late 2024, setting the stage for Kinetic Park to become a vibrant, all-ages destination focused on dynamic play and inclusivity.

BJC Progress West Data Center & MOB

The landscape architects designed the master plan and construction drawings for Progress West Medical Center and its Data Center with a focus on environmental stewardship and functionality. The project achieved LEED Gold certification, a prestigious recognition under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program, which sets global standards for green building design, construction, and operation to reduce energy consumption and environmental impact.

The site integrates numerous sustainable features, including bioswales, greenscreens, and reestablished prairie areas. Over a dozen green technologies and practices were implemented, such as LED lighting, permeable surfaces, native plantings, and a constructed wetland. These elements weren’t merely aesthetic choices—they represent a deliberate effort to balance beauty with sustainability and environmental responsibility.

In an era of increasing data demands, evolving threats, and the need for greater sustainability, the design of data centers and mission-critical facilities must not only address today’s challenges but also anticipate future possibilities. Progress West Medical Center & Data Center exemplifies this forward-thinking approach by incorporating green infrastructure that supports both functionality and ecological resilience.

*Completed prior to establishing DG2

BJC P West IMG 091013 master plan landscape

BJC Children’s South County Specialty Care Clinic

DG2 collaborated with Archimages to bring the nationally recognized care of St. Louis Children’s Hospital and Washington University Physicians closer to more children and families in the community. The Children’s Specialty Care Center aims to make Missouri’s top-ranked children’s hospital services more accessible and available.

The Children’s Specialty Care Center is a state-of-the-art outpatient facility designed to provide convenient pediatric care under one roof. Washington University physicians and St. Louis Children’s Hospital have come together to offer a range of services in a modern, welcoming environment. The facility is thoughtfully designed to meet the physical, social, and emotional needs of children while creating a space that reduces stress, promotes healing, and enhances the overall patient experience.

The landscape architects focused on creating a calming and playful entrance experience, offering patients and families a peaceful, welcoming environment to ease their anxieties before and after appointments. The landscape also provides a restorative space for staff to unwind from the daily stresses of work. The design integrates bold, vivid colors with expansive white surfaces to create an atmosphere that is both energetic and calming, fostering a sense of comfort and relaxation for all who visit the center.

Photo Credit: Archimages

191213 Landscape FRONT RENDER-SITE WALL closeup view

190611 BJC CSCC County Site Plan Rendering_cropped

190425 BJC CSCC County Site Plan-LDP.01_not sent to Nick but provided by Kristy

Siteman Cancer Center

DG2 Design collaborated with Archimages and Stock & Associates to develop the Siteman Cancer Center at Northwest HealthCare in Florissant, near Interstate 270 and Graham Road. Opened in the fall of 2020, the $26.3 million facility offers state-of-the-art technology and expert care provided by Washington University physicians, in close partnership with Christian Hospital, which owns and operates Northwest HealthCare.

“Our commitment to being a lasting and contributing partner to Christian Hospital and the north county community grows even stronger with this new facility,” said Timothy J. Eberlein, MD, Siteman director and the Spencer T. and Ann W. Olin Distinguished Professor at the School of Medicine. “Our goal remains a cancer-free future for our region. In the meantime, we will work to alleviate the burden of this disease by providing nationally recognized cancer care to patients in a comfortable and convenient setting.”

Beyond its high-tech capabilities, the 37,800-square-foot facility was designed to create a soothing and inviting environment. It features artwork by noted local artists Cbabi Bayoc and Jessica Hitchcock, as well as a healing garden that offers patients, families, and caregivers a serene space to find comfort and manage anxiety. The garden, which includes a variety of seasonal plants, is semi-enclosed by a curving brick wall and pergola, with a large tree providing shade and respite.

The landscape architecture extends beyond aesthetics to environmental stewardship, with four native landscape bioretention basins integrated into the site. These basins help filter toxins and particles from the parking lots, contributing to the healing of the urban environment. Additionally, a community room within the facility is available for use by citizen groups and nonprofit organizations, reinforcing the center’s role as a vital resource for the local community.

180423 Siteman CHNW Healing Garden 2018-04-23 13033000000

180423 Siteman CHNW Healing Garden 2018-04-23 13015500000

Lemay Child & Family Center

DG2 Design partnered with the Lemay Child & Family Center to create a new nature-based playground that aligns with the Center’s mission to provide early education and family support in a diverse, nurturing environment. The previous playground had outdated, unsafe equipment, lacked accessibility for children with differing abilities, and suffered from poor drainage, making it unusable at times.

With nearly three acres of land, DG2 Design developed a unique playground featuring designated areas for each age group. The design includes elements such as gardening spaces, stormwater infiltration play features, bike and stroller paths, sports fields, shaded areas, and more. This new Outdoor Learning Center is part of a broader multi-year initiative to enhance the Center’s facilities, ensuring children have the high-quality learning environment they deserve.

In addition to designing the playground, DG2 Design supported the Center by creating fundraising materials, hosting an open house, and assisting with applications for multiple grants to help fund the project.

140210 LCFC Schematic MP Final Booklet_Page_04

Ballwin City Wide Parks Master Plan

DG2 Design partnered with the City of Ballwin to create a comprehensive City-Wide Parks Master Plan for this vibrant community of 33,000 residents. With a network of seven parks, multiple facilities, and greenways, the plan was driven by valuable community input and professional expertise.

The Master Plan integrated national and industry trends to guide decisions, ensuring a future-focused vision aligned with residents’ and city staff’s shared goals. Key objectives included improving existing parks, identifying new open space opportunities, and enhancing connectivity with additional greenways, trails, and bike routes.

Community engagement was essential to our process. We conducted stakeholder meetings, public gatherings, and a community survey to inform the plan and address residents’ needs and aspirations. Working alongside Hastings & Chivetta Architects and Ballard King recreational facility experts, DG2 Design provided a thorough assessment of current conditions, detailed recommendations for each park and facility, and a proposed pedestrian connections map to support a cohesive, accessible park system.

Client Feedback
“Kristy and her staff were fantastic to work with. They were responsive, attentive to our suggestions, and maintained excellent communication throughout the project.”
—John Hoffman, Superintendent of Parks and Facilities, City of Ballwin, MO