Parks / Recreational Facilities

Trends in outdoor recreation — such as nature-based programming, inclusive play, sustainable design, and smart technology integration — are transforming how community parks, waterfronts, sports complexes, and waterparks are planned and designed. Public spaces are evolving to meet growing demands related to health, accessibility, sustainability, and community connection.

At raSmith, our multidisciplinary team of park planners, civil and structural engineers, landscape architects, and ecologists collaborate to create inviting, high-performing parks and recreational environments. We understand the realities of stakeholder priorities, funding constraints, and public engagement, and we guide clients through every phase of a project, from concept to completion.

Whether it’s a regional park, neighborhood pocket park, or multi-field athletic complexes, our integrated approach balances environmental sustainability with long-term maintenance needs. The result is public spaces that promote public health, support local economies, and adapt to future demands.

Why Choose raSmith for Park and Recreational Facility Projects?

Municipal leaders need a trusted partner who can turn complex park concepts into reliable, enduring community assets. raSmith delivers that confidence through:

• Four decades of experience: Since the 1980s, we have designed numerous parks, athletic complexes, waterparks, and other recreational facilities that serve both users and operators.
• Regulatory navigation and agency approvals: Our team knows how to work with local, state, and federal agencies to secure timely approvals. We streamline permitting processes and help clients meet regulatory requirements without delaying project schedules.
• Multidisciplinary collaboration: Our in-house team of civil and structural engineers, landscape architects, ecologists, surveyors, and grant specialists work seamlessly together, eliminating coordination gaps.
• Technology-driven planning: UAS (drone) mapping, LiDAR scanning, and hydraulic modeling help identify site constraints early, reducing change orders and protecting budgets.
• Grant research and writing expertise: Our grant writers and municipal specialists identify funding sources, craft competitive applications, and provide post-award compliance, ensuring adherence to funder requirements and regulations.

Park and Recreation Solutions

Every successful park project depends on a well-integrated mix of technical services. raSmith brings these capabilities together under one roof, streamlining communication, accelerating approvals, and delivering cohesive, high-performing public spaces.

• Master planning and public engagement: Our landscape architecture team leads interactive charrettes, surveys, and stakeholder workshops to translate community vision into phased, actionable master plans.
• Civil site design: Our site‐design specialists balance grading, utilities, trails, and parking to ensure cost-effective construction and straightforward long-term maintenance.
• Ecological restoration: raSmith’s ecological services team specializes in wetland delineation, permitting, rare species surveys, and environmental assessments. We help clients navigate complex regulatory processes and integrate natural resource considerations into project planning.
• Stormwater management: Our engineers integrate stormwater strategies that improve water quality, meet ordinance criteria, and preserve recreational space.
• Structural engineering for amenities: Our structural team designs pavilions, boardwalks, and pedestrian bridges for durability, safety, and universal accessibility.
• Traffic and trail connectivity studies: Traffic engineers use data-driven analysis to understand movement patterns and create safe, intuitive connections between park features and surrounding infrastructure.

Together, these integrated services streamline approvals, improve project outcomes, and result in outcomes that serve communities for generations.

Parks and Recreational Facilities Designed by raSmith

raSmith’s landscape architecture and site design teams create vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable spaces that serve communities of all sizes. Our work goes far beyond athletic fields and trails, encompassing a wide range of outdoor and indoor recreational environments.

Active Recreation and Sports Facilities

• Athletic fields and stadiums: Multi-sport layouts with natural or synthetic turf, optimized lighting, drainage systems, and spectator seating for tournaments and community leagues.
• Inclusive parks and playgrounds: Barrier-free play zones designed for people of all abilities, such as Bradford Beach All-Inclusive Access (America’s Most Accessible Beach) and Northwestern Mutual Community Park at Summerfest.

Trails, Connectivity, and Waterfronts

• Trails, boardwalks, and trailheads: Accessible pathways, elevated walkways, and gateway features that connect neighborhoods to nature while protecting sensitive ecosystems.
• Waterfront amenities: Fishing piers, kayak launches, and shoreline promenades that resist erosion and enhance public access to lakes and rivers.

Community and Gathering Spaces

• Community recreation centers: Indoor facilities for fitness, wellness, and multipurpose programming (e.g., Marquette University Wellness + Recreation Center).
• Plazas and memorials: Public gathering spaces for events, reflection, and cultural expression.
• Outdoor classrooms and amphitheaters: Educational and performance spaces integrated into natural settings.
• Streetscapes and parklets: Enhancing pedestrian zones and small urban green spaces.
• Custom entry features and site furnishings: Signage, seating, shade structures, and wayfinding elements that enhance identity and user experience.

Environmental and Educational Features

• Nature centers and interpretive areas: Spaces for environmental education and passive recreation.
• Green infrastructure: Rain gardens, bioswales, and permeable pavements for sustainable stormwater management.

Each facility type benefits from our civil and structural engineering expertise, ensuring code compliance, long-term durability, and a positive user experience.