On December 23rd, Portland Parks & Recreation will reopen Errol Heights Park to the public following a major project designed by Mayer/Reed. Bundle up and explore the new amenities, which include a vibrant play area, an intriguing sculpture crafted by artists Terresa White and Mike Suri and an ADA-accessible elevated pathway connecting the upper park with trails in the lower restored natural area. Stay tuned for a formal grand opening celebration in the spring.
During November we celebrated the legacy of our firm by revisiting pivotal projects through the eyes of founders Michael Reed, FSEGD and Carol Mayer-Reed, FASLA. Their passion for design and equitable public spaces has shaped communities and defined the design studio of Mayer/Reed.
Throughout the year leading up to our Founders Month, we unearthed archived drawings and sketches from significant projects of the last four decades. We marveled at the work, along with the reminder that although tools and technology have changed, the core of good design remains. Earlier this year, Carol and Michael shared reflections on how key projects and creative design staff influenced their careers and the firm over time.
Today, Owners/Principals Jeramie Shane, ASLA and Kathy Fry, SEGD lead the studio along with Associate Principal, Shannon Simms, ASLA. We are rooted in the values of environmental stewardship, collaboration and community upon which Michael and Carol established our practice. As we forge ahead, we celebrate the importance of passing down our rich firm history. We hope you’ve enjoyed this look back with us.
Congratulations to Mayer/Reed landscape architect, Laura Hartzell, the newly named President-Elect of ASLA Oregon, the local branch of the American Society of Landscape Architects. Laura will work alongside the current president and executive committee throughout the year, increasing member engagement and implementing ASLA’s Climate Action Plan. She’ll further these ASLA initiatives in the role of president the following year.
Also serving ASLA Oregon, Mayer/Reed landscape designer Taylor Bowden maintains her term on the executive committee as VP of Chapter Services, and principal Jeramie Shane continues to represent ASLA as the landscape architect on the multi-disciplinary AIA/ASLA/APA Portland Urban Design Panel.
We appreciate the time and effort it takes to stay active in the professional community. Thank you to our staff for their dedication to ASLA!
In continuation of our commitment to the future of the landscape architecture and experiential graphic design professions, Mayer/Reed has pledged multi-year support for two new programs. We have joined fellow design firms as founding donors of the Landscape Architecture Foundation (LAF) Ignite program and the Society for Experiential Graphic Design (SEGD) 50th Foundation. These foundations address the imperative for a richer diversity of future designers who are well-prepared for the growing challenges of designing for the built environment.
LAF Ignite supports BIPOC landscape architecture students from acceptance into the program to completion of their landscape architecture degrees. Participants receive annual $10,000 scholarships and paid summer internships as well as mentorship throughout their academic experience.
The SEGD 50th Foundation marks the 50th anniversary of the organization with a recommitment to the future of experience design. It provides resources to educational institutions and emerging professionals and reduces barriers to and within the field through mentorship programs.
As the professions of landscape architecture and experiential graphic design confront increasingly complex social and environmental responsibilities, we are inspired by the undaunted ambition we’ve seen in the upcoming generation of designers. Please join us in contributing to their success.
