PARKS
Creating active and passive outdoor play spaces to promote healthy communities and connections to nature
SCHOOLS
Integrated and innovative learning landscapes, and schoolyard planning and design
TRAILS AND OPEN SPACE
Sustainable and resilient design with minimal impact on natural environments
SYNTHETIC TURF
Synthetic turf expertise for ultimate performance
DESTINATION PLAY
Planning and design of magical playgrounds where kids run free for adventures and learning
MASTER PLANNING
Turning complex sets of information into easy to follow recommendations for planning of recreation and open spaces
The Design Concepts Difference
DESTINATION PLAY
Whimsical, creative play environments with a high level of theme and detail to spark multi-generational play
LEARNING LANDSCAPES
Collaborative design renovating elementary playgrounds into innovative play and learning spaces that enhance the school's enrichment program.
IRRIGATION DESIGN
In-house Certified Irrigation Designer and irrigation design specialists providing cost-effective solutions to irrigation challenges.
Project Awards
'“Design Concepts helps us maintain trust with our community”
Joyce Manwaring - Former Parks & Recreation Director, City of Wheat Ridge
“They demonstrated excellent public facilitation skills, community outreach and consensus building throughout the entire master plan process.”
Julie Martin - Recreation Director, Town of Granby
“Design Concepts was successful in managing expectations, addressing concerns and navigating the plan forward.”
Matt Manley - Flood Recovery Planner, Town of Lyons
“There is a consistency about Design Concepts that gives me comfort in knowing that the design is not consistently that same old thing”
Curt Sloan - Manager of Parks, Trails and Building Grounds. Douglas County, CO
“Design Concept respectfully provides creative solutions, answers questions and makes appropriate changes to improve the design.”
Pam Pehrman - Project Manager, City of Bellevue, WA
“[Design Concepts] help provide design solutions that better address the real needs of the project”
Stuart Watada - Project Manager, Colorado Parks and Wildlife
Pickleball is one of the hottest trends in recreation right now, and for good reason. It’s a welcoming sport that offers an abundance of fun. It’s known as a ‘game for everyone.’ Pickleball encourages physical activity to improve people’s fitness and wellness. As park designers, we see pickleball on the agenda for most of the park projects we work on.
This summer we celebrated the grand opening of the third and final phase of Erie Community Park. 12 acres of features were added to this park extending its value to the community. The park is consistently filled with people enjoying all it has to offer, and we could be more excited to see that enthusiasm.
We love what we do, and you are a big part of that. As we look to the future we wish to thank you - our clients and colleagues - for making Design Concepts a success.
This past year, schools all over the country were forced to allow fewer students inside and keep classes physically separate from each other, making their outside spaces a hot commodity. In many cases schools had to scramble to figure out ways to make this happen with little time to plan. We propose that to better equip schools for the future, more time, funding, and attention is needed to design these outdoor learning environments in ways students, teachers and the neighboring community can enjoy throughout the year.
Parks all around the world are known for igniting emotions of hope, peace, and optimism. Two Hunters Park, a commemorative park honoring the lives of Mark Martinez and Joey Irwin of Firestone, CO is no exception.
We worked alongside these supporters for several years with continuing development on Lafayette Elementary’s garden as well as their three playgrounds. Recently, we began replacing raised flower beds in areas being reestablished.
We created photo simulations that helped decision makers study a proposed solar farm in the Aspen valley. Having a clear understanding of what the solar panels would look like helped them decide to approve the project.
Design Concepts proudly announces their new status as a Denver certified Minority/Women-Owned Business Enterprise (M/WBE)!
We lead a tour of Sanchez Nature Play Zone for emerging professionals from the University of Colorado Environmental Design program.
Years after designing Erie Community Park our office made a site visit to learn more about the story behind the design.
About Design Concepts
Design Concepts is a national award-winning landscape architecture design and planning firm near Denver in Lafayette, Colorado. We’ve got a unique culture of talented, creative landscape architects, all passionate about their craft. We’re mindful of our constantly changing world, and of how our surroundings impact how we live. Our focus on people and outdoor play spaces breaks through traditional landscape architecture approaches by applying research, analysis, and an active engagement with our environment to the creation of landscapes in which people and communities can thrive.
Design Concepts is a M/WBE, SBE, and DBE firm certified by the City and County of Denver, and a DBE under the US Department of Transportation’s Colorado Unified Certification Program (UCP).
“Design Concepts stood head and shoulds above the other irrigation and landscape design firms”
Mike Cuskelly - Former Director of Maintenance, Boulder Valley School District