Volunteer Opportunities
Do you design creative spaces for play? Do you want to help a local community enhance their neighborhood?
The Southwest Playground Project (SWPP) is looking for assistance from local landscape architects in the design of a playground for children in Southwest D.C. SWPP was organized under the Near SE/SE Community Benefits Coordinating Council to create a central and safe place for children ages 2-12 in the Southwest community to play while promoting interaction among families from diverse education economic and social backgrounds. The project is being funded through corporate and individual donations, in-kind donations, and grants. A collaborative partnership with the D.C. Department of Parks and Recreation is in its final stages of approval. The project already has approximately 50 volunteers, and now SWPP needs help from landscape architecture professionals to help determine a site and provide design input for the planned playground. Check out the SWPP blog at http://swdcplayground.blogspot.com/ for more information. If you are interested in helping out, please contact Sarah Couchman at scouchman@lardnerklein.com.
Webmaster Needed!
Do you have 1-2 hours a week to volunteer? Are you interested in communications? Are you technologically savvy? The Chapter is looking for a new webmaster for our content management website. If you are interested in volunteering or learning more about this opportunity, please email potomacchapprez@yahoo.com.
Architects Anonymous' Invitation to Landscape Architects
Several years ago, a small group of architects and landscape architects with practices in Alexandria and Arlington, Virginia, began working on key community projects that needed to be done but had no funding for initiation. Building on Alexandria and Arlington’s restoration plan for the Four Mile Run corridor, the group, Architects Anonymous, developed a concept for the City’s newly-acquired parcels of land on Mount Vernon Avenue, at the gateway to Four Mile Run. This concept has resulted in the development of a successful Farmers and Artisans Market, the establishment of an exciting community reuse plan for the adjacent vacant Duron Paint store, and the concept design of a series of “outdoor rooms” to link all of the site’s uses. This project recently won an award from the Northern Virginia Chapter of the American Institute of Architects, and the City of Alexandria is currently identifying funding for its implementation. With its reputation established, several jurisdictions have requested that Architets Anonymous help them with potentially very exciting projects including furthering the work started at Four Mile Run. Several of these projects focus on open space planning and design. Hence, the group extends an invitation to those landscape architects willing to contribute some pro bono time to work on community-based projects. The group meets monthly, or on an as-needed basis, to collaborate on the projects and provide feedback. The collaboration is exciting and the work is very satisfying. If you are interested in finding out more about Architects Anonymous, please contact: Kevin Fisher at kevinf@rhodeside-harwell.com
Potomac Chapter Advocacy
The Potomac Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects works closely with ASLA National to track important legislation both on the state and federal levels and let our representatives know how their decisions influence and affect landscape architecture. Interested in getting more involved in the ASLA Advocacy Network? Contact Beth Carton at potomacchapprez@yahoo.com to get more information!
Potomac Chapter Social Committee
The Potomac Chapter needs your help, to provide exciting new programs and events! If you have an interest in social planning and networking, please let us know. There's room for you on the Potomac Chapter Social Committee... come meet your fellow members and help us plan for future chapter events! Contact potomacchapprez@yahoo.com for more information. Thanks to all of our volunteers!