Minnesota Landscape Architects to Promote Active Living at New City School, Exhibit at the State Capitol

Members of the Minnesota Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) will celebrate National Landscape Architecture Month by collaborating with a charter school on innovative ideas for its schoolyard and assessing the walkability and bikeability of its neighborhood.

They will end the month with an exhibit in the Minnesota State Capitol building highlighting the work of landscape architects and recognizing the building's 100th anniversary. The theme for National Landscape Architecture Month is Design for Active Living, highlighting ways community design affects residents' daily activity levels and, in turn, their overall health.

Studies show that access to resources such as parks, recreational facilities, bicycle paths, walking trails, and sidewalks can increase physical activity among residents, lowering obesity and improving health.

• April 16, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.: Design Charette for New City School, 229 13th Avenue NE, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55413. Minnesota ASLA Chapter members will collaborate with New City School in a day-long "charette" -- an intense design jam session -- to assist the school in developing innovative ideas for its schoolyard and assessing the walkability and bikeability of its neighborhood. Located in northeast Minneapolis, New City School is a public charter school in its second year of operation. It recognizes the importance of a well-designed learning environment to its mission, and the school is excited about the prospect of the charette. For more information on the charette, please contact Michael Jischke, ASLA, at 763-475-0010 or [email protected].
• April 24 - 30, Exhibit at the Minnesota State Capitol Building, North Corridor. Minnesota ASLA Chapter members will be promoting the profession and recognizing the work of members with an exhibit for legislators, their staff, and the general public. The display will highlight the unique skills that landscape architects can offer, recent award winners, valued places in Minnesota, the upcoming 2006 national convention to be held in Minneapolis, and will recognize the Capitol Building's 100th Anniversary.

"Years ago, we all used to walk to school, to the store, to the park, or to a friend's house, but now we often are unable to walk or bike anywhere safely, because our communities are designed mainly for car travel," said John Slack, ASLA, president of the Minnesota chapter of the ASLA. "The change from a pedestrian to a commuter lifestyle has fueled an epidemic of obesity in the U.S., particularly among children. As landscape architects, working with public officials, developers, and residents, we can design active living components back into our communities. We want to encourage everyone to look at their communities during April and become advocates for an environment that is more exercise-friendly."

For more information on supporting or participating in the Minnesota ASLA Chapter activities, please contact chapter National Landscape Architecture Month coordinator Michael Jischke, ASLA, at 763-475-0010 or [email protected].