MERIT AWARD
Represents superior accomplishment in the profession of landscape architecture.
BIRCH CREEK PARK
South Ogden City acquired approximately 7.3 acres from a former school site for the development of a future park. Located in a mature single-family neighborhood, the park shares an additional 6.7-acre site owned by Weber School District.
PROJECT STATEMENT
Burch Creek Park in South Ogden exemplifies the transformative power of landscape architecture in creating a vibrant community space. Spanning 14 acres, this park was developed through a collaborative effort between city leaders, residents, and regional partners. The landscape architect's vision and meticulous design has turned a challenging, hilly site into a captivating destination for all ages.
The park's design captures the spirit of adventure found in the nearby Wasatch Mountains to create an immersive experience for a broad range of users. The challenging terrain has been enhanced to provide active and passive recreation opportunities, including gathering spaces, interactive water play, sport courts, and unique playground features. The design emphasizes sustainability, with a robust selection of trees for shade, water-conserving plantings, and energy-efficient lighting.
PROJECT NARRATIVE
The Landscape Architect led a team of engineers and architects in the design and implementation of an engaging and long-awaited neighborhood park with regional amenities and appeal. Located on a combined 14-acre site adjacent to a new elementary school, the design responds to a steep, hilly site and captures the excitement and sense of adventure found in the stone, creeks, and streams in the nearby foothills, and is a place where children of all ages can explore, play, and interact.
A large and inviting entry plaza serves as the starting point for park users’ hilltop journey. The plaza includes an interactive linear water feature consisting of at-grade and raised runnels, falls, and water diversion play. It also includes a custom-designed restroom, nearby picnic pavilions and shelters, a large playground, and eight pickleball courts. A parking lot and stormwater detention pond are located at the western perimeter of the site, separated from the active park areas. A long, linear path serves as the primary pathway of the park, tracing the lower slopes of the hill from east to west and providing access to the eastern extents of the park from the plaza, linking with a pedestrian alley and multi-purpose fields to the north.
Enhancements to steep hill transform it into a destination itself, including a range of active and passive recreation opportunities. The prominent slopes of the hill can be climbed in multiple ways - along a dramatic and processional stairway, by an accessible switchback pathway, or “through the air” as part of an elevated playground feature. The flat crown of the hill is demarcated by a circular path and a double row allee of large shade trees, along which a series of outdoor training nodes are evenly dispersed along the arc of the path, providing opportunities to exercise while enjoying views of the valley below. The top of the stairway is marked by a destination shelter, and a labyrinth is located at the center of the hill, providing a place for contemplation. The traditional winter sledding hill is maintained, with loose groves of trees and shrubs defining the edges of the park. Multi-purpose fields are sited on the shared school grounds and circumscribed by a popular walking trail.