Just under four months after its grand opening, UW-Madison’s Alumni Park is already getting recognition.
SmithGroupJJR — the design firm that served as the lead park designer for Alumni Park — received an award Thursday from the Wisconsin Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects for the planning and design of the new park space.
Alumni Park, which opened Oct. 6 and is described by its staff as “the new campus landmark,” is a 1.3-acre park located between Memorial Union and the Red Gym. The park features over 50 exhibits that highlight the achievements and innovations of more than 120 UW-Madison alumni.
The $8 million Alumni Park project was privately funded through approximately 4,000 contributions from UW-Madison alumni and friends around the world.
SmithGroupJJR worked closely with the Wisconsin Alumni Association, project architect Uihlein/Wilson Architects, exhibit designer Ralph Appelbaum Associates, State of Wisconsin Department of Administration’s Division of Facilities Development and Management and various other university groups on the project, according to a press release.
“We’re so proud of Alumni Park and how it has been immediately embraced by alumni, campus, and community,” Sarah Schutt, chief alumni officer and executive director of the Wisconsin Alumni Association, said in a statement. “We’re so grateful to see SmithGroupJJR receive recognition for being such a huge part of this labor of love.”
Bill Patek, a landscape architect for SmithGroupJJR and a UW-Madison alumnus, said the park “tells the story of what it means to be a Badger” and will leave a lasting impression on students.
“It is incredibly meaningful and professionally fulfilling to help shape a project that has that kind of impact,” Patek said in the release.
The American Society of Landscape Architects and its Wisconsin Chapter issue awards to recognize people and organizations that have enhanced the visibility of the landscape-architecture profession in Wisconsin, promoted excellence in land planning and landscape design, promoted professional ethics and fostered environmental stewardship and enhanced quality of life.
The $8 million Alumni Park project was privately funded through approximately 4,000 contributions from UW-Madison alumni.
