VIRIDIS Design Group

Last week, we proudly celebrated our firm's 20th anniversary with many of the people who have supported us along the way, including family and friends, consultants, clients, and community leaders. It was an inspiring evening as we reflected on two decades of collaboration, partnership, and growth.

We are grateful for all that we have accomplished together and excited for the opportunities and possibilities ahead. Thank you to everyone who has been part of our story!

📣 You’re invited to help shape the future of the our parks, trails, recreation programs and public spaces through the development of our 2027–2032 Parks and Recreation Strategic Master Plan! From future investments to improvements to programming throughout the parks system and more, this plan will serve as a roadmap for our department.

✍️ To kick things off, we've launched a survey to help identify common priorities, learn how you use our parks, and explore new opportunities for recreation and connection.

🙋 No matter how often or how little you visit a park or attend a program, we want to hear from you! Your experiences and ideas will help inform the next chapter of Grand Rapids Parks & Recreation.

🔗 Stay tuned for more ways to engage with the master plan and get started with the survey at https://engage.grandrapidsmi.gov/w70366

Celebrating Allison’s two year work anniversary today!

Since joining the team in 2024, Allison has brought a wealth of environmental sustainability expertise, a positive attitude, and a collaborative spirit to every project. She excels in both technical areas, including construction detailing and administration, while also bringing a thoughtful, place-based design approach. Allison’s enthusiasm and energy make a lasting impact on our team, and we are grateful for all she contributes.

As if that weren’t enough, Allison recently passed all four of her LARE exams and will soon officially become a Professional Landscape Architect, a tremendous achievement and testament to her hard work and commitment. Please join us in congratulating Allison!

We’re happy to introduce Ava Yon, who will be spending the summer with our Grand Rapids team as a landscape architecture intern. Ava is a fourth-year BLA student at Michigan State and is simultaneously pursuing a master’s in environmental design. She is a 2026 LAF Olmsted Scholar and holds roles as MiASLA DEI board member and MSU ASLA Student Chapter Alumni Relations Chair. Ava brings a thoughtful, artistic approach to design that balances environmental responsibility with human connection. Ava is a rising talent in the field and we are overjoyed to have her around! Please join us in welcoming Ava!

Construction is moving quickly at Holmes Family Park in Chelsea, transforming the former Federal Screw Works property into a vibrant community hub. Based on feedback from over 1,000 community members, we're implementing loads of recreational amenities, including a skate park, climbing walls, play structures, a flexible pavilion and restroom, sports courts, a hammock grove, and more.

We are honored to partner with Main Street Park Alliance in bringing the community’s dreams to life. The park is set to open this summer, and we can’t wait to celebrate it!

To learn more about the project, visit https://www.mainstreetpark.org/

Project Partners: MAYOTTEgroup Architects, Spohn Ranch Skateparks, Eldorado Climbing Walls, Bazen Electric

We were thrilled to participate in Tuesday evening's event celebrating several thoughtful and transformative projects across downtown Kalamazoo, including Arcadia Creek Festival Place. Alongside LBA Landscape Architecture, we have had the joy of reimagining this critical public space to function seamlessly, from hosting high-spirited festivals to everyday use for downtown residents.

The event comes as we move into the Construction Documentation phase. We are so excited to bring the community's vision to life. Thank you, The City of Kalamazoo, Michigan!

Project Partners: ROSSETTI, Bazen Electric, Nehil Sivak Structural Engineering

Last night's Indian Mounds Drive Community Open House was PACKED and the energy was contagious! Bringing together project partners, community leaders, and over 100 neighbors, the room was full of thoughtful conversation and passion for this unique space on the Grand River. We're thrilled to be a part of it.

Learn more about the event here: https://www.kentcountymi.gov/1903/Indian-Mounds-Drive-Study

The Kent County Parks Department hosted an open house to discuss potentially closing the four-mile trail to vehicle traffic based on feedback from nearly 2,000 neighbors. Read the full story through the link in the comments.

We are excited to celebrate Matt Hull’s two year anniversary at VIRIDIS Design Group!

Matt is an experienced landscape architect with a heart for creating meaningful outdoor experiences, from project conception to completion. Matt combines analytical and systems thinking with his wealth of planning, design, and construction knowledge to deliver innovative and resourceful solutions to every project he takes on. We’re grateful to have him on the team!

Fish Ladder Music Park was recently recognized at the mParks Conference as a Park Design Award Winner! We were honored to partner with visionaries at Capital Region Community Foundation, City of Lansing, Michigan - Government, and Lansing Parks and Recreation (Brett Kaschinske, Parks Director is pictured accepting the award) to realize a vibrant and innovative community riverfront space in Old Town, Lansing. With warmer weather here in Michigan, the park is beginning to come alive for its first full season. Be sure to catch one of its numerous music, community, and wellness events, or stop by to watch the sunset from a swing bench.

Thank you to the many event planners and community members who provided valuable information and feedback through the design process, and congratulations to all involved! This project is a shining example of the collaborative and ambitious mindset that is transforming the Lansing Riverfront.

Team: Construction Managers at WIELAND, Electrical Engineers at DHEngineering, Kalamazoo

📸: Choose Lansing, Lansing State Journal, Dam Jam Music Festival, mParks Michigan Recreation and Park Association