Recreational Design

Arbor works as a comprehensive resource in the planning, design and construction management of parks and multi-purpose recreational facilities throughout the Upstate and the Carolinas. From sports complexes and aquatic parks to the thoughtful and environmentally sustainable development of natural areas, Arbor’s gifted teams have created some of the region’s most functional and enjoyable destinations for competition and recreation.

Arbor’s cross-functional team brings together extensive expertise in land use planning, landscape architecture and civil engineering. Together, we work with clients to fully understand your vision, objectives, requirements and restrictions. Our collaborations bring safety, enjoyment and accessibility for all involved, yet engineered to minimize the often-expensive costs of maintaining each property.

In the end, like all of our work, the goal is to go well beyond efficiency and budget management to develop an environment that is truly transformative for visitors and the community as a whole. The same principles of Place-Making that have served as Arbor’s design foundation for over 40 years still apply today. With each project, large or small, our mission is to create places that bring people together and inspire the best in each of us.

How We Work

Arbor gets involved in the planning phase by assisting in thorough needs assessment surveys. We then assimilate and interpret relevant data points with all site constraints. From here, we begin the master planning process, including extensive site visit to assess existing conditions, as well as opportunities and obstacles to consider during design.

In the design stage, we prepare working drawings and recommendations regarding the specifics of the park. Once the design stage is complete, we provide construction management services to ensure that the finished product is an extension of the final designs.

Our expertise encompasses:

  • Park design for active parks, passive parks, amenity centers, aquatic facilities and interpretive parks
  • Open space master planning
  • Trail system planning
  • Trail design
  • Public input charrettes and workshops
  • Interpretive signage and wayfinding graphics

Creating a sense of place involves integrating landscape, structures and people into an environment that connects us to something larger than ourselves. When you think of Greenville’s Falls Park (design by Arbor Engineering), you begin to grasp the concept of Place-Making.