Field Notes
No Messy Mud At K9Grass Dog Park
Central Park Dog Park in Fremont, Calif., is the largest synthetic grass dog park in the nation, measuring 40,000 square feet. The city park opened last summer, offering dogs and their pet parents a place to exercise, play, and socialize in a clean, mud-free environment.
K9Grass by ForeverLawn was chosen as the surface for the park, due to features that allow for instantaneous drainage, simplification of waste removal, and antimicrobial blades.
For more information, visit www.k9grass.com/parks .
Signature Expands Web Presence
Signature Control Systems Inc. launched an online store, “SCS Shop,” which lets U.S.-based customers purchase a variety of irrigation products and services direct from Signature.
“In addition to buying from our 500-plus dealer locations, the SCS Shop will allow our end-user clients an alternative purchase point, along with the ability to research products to best fit their specific local needs,” says Vice President Curt Schaubel.
The shop will also highlight and bring into focus the Signature Weather email and the Signature ET data.
For more information, visit www.SignatureControlSystems.com .
Bobcat Expands Operations, Announces Launch of Innovation Center
Bobcat Company and Menlo Worldwide Logistics are expanding operations at Bobcat’s Manufacturing Support Center (MSC) in Bismarck. As many as 150 new positions will be created to support expanded production operations for the compact attachments line.
Bobcat also announces plans to acquire additional land at the Northern Plains Commerce Center (NPCC) to create an Innovation Center for product development and testing. Officials say it will bring together customer-, product-, and dealer-focused functions and processes, creating an environment for evaluating customer research, conducting product testing and training, and refining manufacturing processes.
Lifescapes International Founder Establishes Scholarship
Students in the College of Environmental Design at Cal Poly Pomona have a new scholarship opportunity thanks to alumnus Don Brinkerhoff, the founder and chairman of landscape architectural firm Lifescapes International Inc. The $10,000 annual scholarship will go to a landscape architecture student with demonstrated need and ability as a leader and self-starter.
Brinkerhoff used a $1,000 scholarship he received more than 60 years ago from the Sears Roebuck Company to remain in school and graduate. He decided to travel the globe, learning different styles in architecture that would later bolster his career. Lifescapes International Inc. gained recognition in the 1980s following projects in Las Vegas, and has expanded to China with footholds throughout the world.
Brock International Unveils New Website
Synthetic turf is not just carpet, says Dan Sawyer, CEO of Brock International, a leader in performance base systems for synthetic turf. It is one of the key pieces of equipment that a sports program will offer teams, impacting speed, accuracy, and injury rates among players.
End-users looking to improve the quality of their sports field projects have a new website to review-- www.brock-international.com --featuring a “Designers and Builders” section, and links to news, articles, and information on trends and developments in sustainability practices, preventing concussions, and innovations within the synthetic turf industry.
Hitchcock Design Group Clients Earn Nod
The Illinois Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects recognized the following Hitchcock Design Group projects with Honor Awards: Three Oaks Recreation Area, City of Crystal Lake; and the Lake Riverdale Sustainable Master Plan, South Suburban Mayors and Managers Association. For more information about these projects, visit hitchcockdesigngroup.com .
Sports Turf Managers Association Partners With Plant Management Network International
The Sports Turf Managers Association (STMA) has become a partner of Plant Management Network International (PMN), a nonprofit online publisher of science-based resources. This partnership allows STMA to offer PMN’s resources as a benefit at no additional charge to the association’s more than 2,800 members. STMA, the professional association for sports field managers, provides education, information, and practical knowledge in the art and science of sports field management.
Cambridge Architectural Launches New Website
Cambridge Architectural, maker of interior and exterior metal mesh systems, unveiled a new website-- www.cambridgearchitectural.com --showcasing project form, function, and design. Users can read testimonials and learn more about design assistance, installation, and sustainability.
DINOFLEX Achieves ClimateSmart Seal
DINOFLEX Recycled Rubber Surfaces successfully completed the ClimateSmart program, requiring a greenhouse gas emissions inventory and a submitted list of reduction strategies. ClimateSmart has long been recognized for its work in the energy arena, helping businesses calculate emissions, then measure and reduce their carbon footprint while cutting costs. For more information on the recycled rubber surfaces manufacturer, visit www.dinoflex.com .
CULTEC Systems Gain Approval In Delaware
The CULTEC, Inc. Separator water quality system has gained approval from the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC). The CULTEC Separator Row system will be included on the list of endorsed products after meeting reduction requirement under the Delaware Sediment & Stormwater Regulations. The CULTEC Recharger/Separator system will act as a gross pollutant removal practice and as a pretreatment practice for petroleum hydrocarbons.
An In-Depth Look At Pepperweed Threat To Wetlands
A study in Invasive Plant Science and Management , published by the Weed Science Society of America, examines characteristics of encroaching pepperweed. The plant’s roots, which run meters deep, help this invader gain territory in higher elevation rangelands, vegetated areas along freshwater, coastal marshlands, and seasonal wetlands. To control the invasive species and reestablish native vegetation, the study finds that controlling new populations, while also working from the outer perimeters of pepperweed patches, is most cost-effective. Full text is available at http://www.wssajournals.org/ .
Recruits and Ladders
Underhill International Announces New Sales Rep
Underhill International has tapped Eagle Sales of Grass Valley, Calif., as the company’s new sales agency for Arizona, California and Nevada, reported Ed Underhill, president of the irrigation equipment manufacturer.
Eagle Sales will represent Underhill’s expanding lines of irrigation products for residential/commercial installations, golf courses and sports fields, including the new Sapien 2Wire controller and M-160 Total Solutions synthetic sports field kit.
Eagle’s Tom Kendall and Jeremy McIntyre will oversee the sales effort with a staff of nine professionals covering the western states. Eagle Sales has been in business since 1985 and was founded by Steve Wilson, who directed the company until his death in 2008.
See Underhill International at www.underhill.us or call (866) 863.3744.
FX Luminaire Announces New Hires
Rapid growth prompted FX Luminaire, based in San Marcos, Calif., to expand its number of sales territories. Landscape lighting veteran Shawn Knudson has been hired as sales manager of the Pacific Northwest Region, which spans Washington, Oregon, northern Idaho, western Canada and Alaska. Knudson has been in the green industry for nearly 30 years, with experience in irrigation design, water pumps and features, wholesale distribution, and manufacturer sales. He has also owned a design/build lighting company.
Ron Pinnell , a 20-year landscape lighting veteran, joined the team as sales manager of the Great Plains Region, which includes the Dakotas, Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa, Missouri, southern Illinois and Oklahoma. He has a bachelor’s degree in agriculture from Southern Illinois University and is well versed in irrigation, water gardening and fountains in addition to lighting.
FX Luminaire announces Zach Rundle as sales manager for the Gulf States—Arkansas, Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, parts of Florida and Tennessee. Rundle is a graduate of the University of Arkansas School of Agriculture. He is experienced in the green industry, and has worked in all aspects of the business, including landscape lighting, installation and maintenance, drainage, irrigation, water features, pumps, sales, and distribution.
The Great Lakes region has a new sales manager in Drew Tedford . His sector spans Indiana, northern Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, western Pennsylvania, Kentucky, and Wisconsin. Tedford is a graduate of the University of Arkansas’ landscape architecture program. He has been involved in the lighting industry for nearly a decade, and has held positions with distributors and several design/build firms.
Mahan Rykiel Names New Leadership
With the retirement of founder, Catherine Mahan , and a growing national and international profile, Mahan Rykiel Associates, based in Baltimore, has announced the following additions to the firm’s leadership:
Richard Jones , president, and Cathy Snellinger , vice president and chief financial officer, join cofounder Scott Rykiel, FASLA, in managing the firm. Jones, who in addition to his executive duties has been appointed design director, joined the firm in 2002. He has served as lead designer on several projects including the Four Seasons Baltimore, The Vue at Harbor East, and the T. Rowe Price Corporate Campus.
Throughout her more than 25 years with the firm, Snellinger has served the office in various roles from accounting to human resources and now oversees all aspects of the firm’s financial operations. Mahan will continue to serve as Chair of the Board.
Mahan Rykiel also announces the promotion of Warren Timlen , RLA to principal. With more than 14 years at Mahan Rykiel, Warren leads a team of designers in planning, retail, and international projects. Additionally, Nathan Scott , LEED AP BD+C and Ryan Cosgrove , LEED AP BD+C have been promoted to associate.
Calendar
September 28-October 1
The 2012 American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) Annual Meeting and EXPO
Phoenix Convention Center, Phoenix, Ariz.
Word On The Web
From the Landscape Architect Business website:
On Boyd Coleman’s Week-Ender Column “The Future Of Our Industry” -- One way we at Pressley Associates are attempting to get our neck of the industry moving again is to reach out to past clients, those with whom we had memorable experiences collaborating and who are most likely to want to team up with us again, because they know the quality of our work first-hand. It also helps to tap into the strongest development markets; in the case of Massachusetts, residential development is surpassing commercial and retail. – Todd Larson, marketing director, Pressley Associates Landscape Architects
On “Sicilian Courtyard Restored” written by Ann Christoph (January/February) – Great article! Here’s some more information about Sicilian Court for your readers: http://magazine.scrippscollege.edu/2010-winter/everything-old-is-new-again -- Scripps College