Appel Osborne Receives Two Design Awards

We are proud to announce that our firm is the recipient of two ASLA Design Awards. Lafayette Square and Olean CSD Athletic and Playground Complex were acknowledged with Merit Awards at the New York Upstate ASLA Awards Reception on Friday, April 25.

Located in the heart of downtown Utica, Lafeyette Square, formerly known as Liberty Bell Park, had become dilapidated, uninviting, and underutilized. The City of Utica sought to restore the park as a welcoming, lively space. Main goals were to reestablish a community meeting place, demonstrate the City’s commitment to the downtown neighborhood, and showcase a vibrant and diverse community. Final design for the improvements at the park included landscaping and green space enhancements, new tree plantings, new benches and seating areas, fountain repair, a symbolic signpost paying homage to the City’s immigrant and refugee population, pavers, accent lighting, and other amenities to make the park a truly functional space with a desirable atmosphere.

A capital project at Olean CSD including athletic facility and playscape design revealed a multitude of site complications as the property once belonged to a glass manufacturing plant, resulting in significant safety hazards and extensive contaminated soils issues. Extensive cut/fill calculations were conducted to ensure a suitable base for the construction of the new facility. Design includes a multipurpose synthetic turf field and stadium appurtenances, resurfaced tennis courts, and an ADA accessible pedestrian path. The new playscape adjacent to the athletic facility accommodates ages 5-12 with multiple ADA accessible elements. A new basketball court and reconstructed adjacent asphalt play areas were also designed.

It is an honor to be recognized for these designs and contributions to local communities.