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08-17-26 | Department
"Use of natives, where appropriate planting space and soil conditions allow. There are many more species available now than 30 years ago. Use of appropriate plants in the right place is the key to a successful landscape."
Janet W., PLA, Arizona
"It has become 100% drought tolerant and incorporates as many native plants as will tolerate garden settings/periodic irrigation. I generally rely on availability lists from nurseries carrying drought tolerate/low water use plants, new plant introduction seminars, tours of projects designed by local Landscape Architects and professional landscape designers. Native plant garden tours are also very helpful. You can see what works in a garden setting."
Anne J., PLA, California
How have evolving municipal water regulations affected the way you approach planting design and site hydrology?
"Lawns will be phased out in Los Angeles soon. That's a big change. The only lawns allowed will be those for sports and recreational use. If a project requires flow through LID planters, selecting plants that can tolerate periods of inundation are important. Too much water kills most plants."
Anne J., PLA, California
"Designing to retain water and direct on site through passive systems for lateral translocation of water for the benefit of the landscape through the soil profile."
Janet W., PLA, Arizona
Playgrounds Survey:
How do long-term maintenance realities shape your playground design decisions, and what design strategies have proven most durable over time?
"We consider long-term maintenance in play design, and it is one of the items that clients often ask about. We try to make clients aware of potential maintenance requirements for different types of equipment, whether it is conventional metal or plastic or natural materials like wood. We also temper client's expectations regarding the longevity of playground equipment. The design strategy that has been the most durable over time has been the specification of synthetic turf for safety surfacing. It has proven itself for durability and comfort for many of our projects."
David W., PLA, Ohio
What discussions does the profession need to be having in the recreation/playground sector?
"How to grow mature trees in landscape and playground designs [...] The area under the tree root zone that will cause damage and be impacted during repairs must have modular components that can be adjusted and moved as trees grow larger. Concrete and rubber pavements that only bulge by the roots under and are not modular are not good choices. The cost to repair and the need to root prune injure the tree and will be repeated."
Gordon M., California
"There needs to be more clarity in the national safety guidelines of the delineation between equipment and the rest of the surrounding park features. Natural materials, loose parts, and other immersive experiences don't clearly fall under the purview of the guidelines and need special considerations. I think the guidelines inherently drive designs to be static and don't adequately address a full range of developmental needs. I believe they had the unintentional effect of creating a sense of fear, reduced challenge, reduced risk, and reduced immersive experiences. I think this is getting much better as designers incorporate features that focus on holistic wellness, but there's still
room to improve."
Anonymous, PLA, New Mexico
August Firms of the Southwest Town Hall
Letters To The Editor
x
What legislative matters are most important to you and your peers
in your state?
"Keeping registrations for the practice of Landscape Architects. Stopping the continual lowering of standards or landscape contractors. Improved technologies require additional training, not less."
Janet W., PLA, Arizona
What design strategies are you deploying to address extreme heat and create thermally comfortable outdoor spaces?
"Reduce pavements, walls, and solid mass surfaces. Tree massing of hardscape and east, south, and west facades with offset of water demand through semi-active water harvesting treatments.."
Anonymous, PLA, Arizona
How has your plant palette evolved over your career in the Southwest, and what resources have you relied on for expanding it?
"Use of natives, where appropriate planting space and soil conditions allow. There are many more species available now than 30 years ago. Use of appropriate plants in the right place is the key to a successful landscape."
Janet W., PLA, Arizona
"It has become 100% drought tolerant and incorporates as many native plants as will tolerate garden settings/periodic irrigation. I generally rely on availability lists from nurseries carrying drought tolerate/low water use plants, new plant introduction seminars, tours of projects designed by local Landscape Architects and professional landscape designers. Native plant garden tours are also very helpful. You can see what works in a garden setting."
Anne J., PLA, California
How have evolving municipal water regulations affected the way you approach planting design and site hydrology?
"Lawns will be phased out in Los Angeles soon. That's a big change. The only lawns allowed will be those for sports and recreational use. If a project requires flow through LID planters, selecting plants that can tolerate periods of inundation are important. Too much water kills most plants."
Anne J., PLA, California
"Designing to retain water and direct on site through passive systems for lateral translocation of water for the benefit of the landscape through the soil profile."
Janet W., PLA, Arizona
Playgrounds Survey:
How do long-term maintenance realities shape your playground design decisions, and what design strategies have proven most durable over time?
"We consider long-term maintenance in play design, and it is one of the items that clients often ask about. We try to make clients aware of potential maintenance requirements for different types of equipment, whether it is conventional metal or plastic or natural materials like wood. We also temper client's expectations regarding the longevity of playground equipment. The design strategy that has been the most durable over time has been the specification of synthetic turf for safety surfacing. It has proven itself for durability and comfort for many of our projects."
David W., PLA, Ohio
What discussions does the profession need to be having in the recreation/playground sector?
"How to grow mature trees in landscape and playground designs [...] The area under the tree root zone that will cause damage and be impacted during repairs must have modular components that can be adjusted and moved as trees grow larger. Concrete and rubber pavements that only bulge by the roots under and are not modular are not good choices. The cost to repair and the need to root prune injure the tree and will be repeated."
Gordon M., California
"There needs to be more clarity in the national safety guidelines of the delineation between equipment and the rest of the surrounding park features. Natural materials, loose parts, and other immersive experiences don't clearly fall under the purview of the guidelines and need special considerations. I think the guidelines inherently drive designs to be static and don't adequately address a full range of developmental needs. I believe they had the unintentional effect of creating a sense of fear, reduced challenge, reduced risk, and reduced immersive experiences. I think this is getting much better as designers incorporate features that focus on holistic wellness, but there's still
room to improve."
Anonymous, PLA, New Mexico
As seen in LASN magazine, August 2026.
