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This award recognizes an OALA member and his or her professional work. It singles out specific projects to draw attention to a body of work which demonstrates outstanding professional accomplishment.
For over 30 years, David has elevated the profession of landscape architecture not only in the province of Ontario, but throughout Canada and across the globe. His impressive portfolio of work includes award-winning projects that the span the spectrum in terms of scale, scope, location, and budget, however there is a consistent theme that drives each project; David’s desire to improve the quality of life for the people who will benefit from his work.
David began his career in 1986 working with Michael Hough, where he learned from one of the most prolific Canadian landscape architects of the time. David remained for many years, becoming a partner in 1997. In 2005, David joined the Planning Partnership to open a landscape architecture department that reflected his desire to be an advocate for the public realm. In the twelve years since, David’s work has been acknowledged by many awards, both at home and abroad.
Landscape Architecture is more than a profession for David; it is ‘a calling’. David has been an advocate for the profession, for design, and for other landscape architects. He served as OALA President (2000-2002) and he is currently Chair of the City of Ottawa’s Urban Design Review Panel, a member of the Toronto Community Housing Design Review Panel and a past member of the City of Toronto’s Public Art Advisory Committee. David frequently contributes to academia, both as an external reviewer, a lecturer, and as a mentor.
The West Don Lands is one of the major achievements of David’s career and the success of the project of this scope hinged on David’s ability to bring together a team of some of the best Canadian design-related professionals. The project took over 10 years from the planning stages through to the completion of a new neighbourhood that has set a new standard for the public realm in Toronto and has received global attention.
David has dedicated his entire career to the design of public spaces. His work has been widely recognized by his peers as outstanding. He is regularly called upon as a juror and member of design review panels responsible to advise on public realm design.
The OALA recognizes David’s achievements in public realm design that consistently raises the bar for the role and contribution of landscape architects with this year’s Pinnacle Award.
Emeritus members are full members of OALA who have ceased full time practice and who are nominated by another full member in recognition of their years of service to the profession.
Gary began his landscape architecture career in 1964 at Project Planning Associates Ltd. He joined JSW+ in 1967 and retired last September after 50 years(!) of service. He has led the design of some truly iconic and innovative projects.
Gary was involved in programming, planning and detailed design development of the Toronto Zoo. This project represented the ‘next generation’ of zoo design by designing zoo habitat surroundings that closely represent the resident animal’s native environment, resulting in the animal and its wildlife habitats becoming the primary focus. In 2002 he was more recently involved in the design of the Children’s Wildlife Discovery Area.
Gary worked on the planning and design of the Centreville Amusement Park on Centre Island, Toronto, throughout the years he has continued to consult on the site and in 2016 he updated the masterplan and design of the Park.
Gary was the senior landscape architect on the creation of a gateway to the Main Block on Parliament Hill, commissioned by the National Capital Commission in 1989. In order to achieve the design goals, extensive research of the historic periods was performed, including the original precinct design developed by Calvert Vaux.
Gary’s extensive and continuous professional practice spans decades. His mentorship of landscape architects and related design professionals over the years and his ability to create functional and people oriented design solutions which are enjoyed by generations have made him deserving of the honour of Emeritus member in the OALA.
Robert Norman has made major contributions to the profession of landscape architecture in Ontario and beyond. Rob Norman worked for the majority of his career in municipal practice and he is immensely proud to be a landscape architect, continuously advocating for the profession. He retired in 2017.
In particular, Rob has made an outstanding contribution to the profession in Ontario, as well as Canada, through his work with the OALA and the CSLA, serving as President of the OALA in 1991-1992, and the President of the CSLA in 2015-2016. He continues his volunteer efforts with the OALA through various committees and task forces.
It is also timely to note that Rob was formally inducted into the CSLA College of Fellows on April 7, 2018. Induction to the College of Fellows is one of the highest honours the Society bestows on its members.
A sampling of awards which Rob has received over his career include the inaugural CSLA Legacy Award for Gage Park-Hamilton, ON, multiple CSLA regional awards, the Ontario Premier’s Award for Accessibility, Urban Design Awards, OALA Public Practice Award and the David Erb Memorial Award for Exemplary Volunteer Service to the OALA.
Throughout his career, Rob has prioritized time for volunteering for the betterment of the profession of landscape architecture. This commitment demonstrates Rob’s belief in advocacy, teamwork, and the power of the individual and our shared profession to affect change.
Rob has also utilized his training in Strategic Planning at York University, in volunteering to assist the OALA, CSLA and the University of Guelph’s Alumni Committee with their Strategic Planning initiatives.
The OALA recognizes Rob’s notable contributions over an extended period of time with Emeritus membership.
Rick started his career in 1973 with Strong Moorhead Sigsby Ltd., one of the early Landscape Architectural design offices in Toronto. In 1985 this firm evolved into FORREC what is now a Multidisciplinary Entertainment Design Company where he continued his 43 year long career until retirement in 2016.
Rick has participated in award-winning and innovative landscape design projects throughout Canada and internationally, most memorable are, Canada’s Wonderland, Muskoka Wharf, West Edmonton Mall, Universal Studios Florida and Sumter Landing The Villages to name a few. He has also made a stamp on global design, continuously communicating the importance of landscape architecture and the need to design people-centric places around the world.
Perhaps Rick’s most significant contribution to landscape architecture is his undeniable dedication to mentoring emerging landscape architects. Many have benefited from working alongside Rick as he willingly shared his knowledge and experience.
We honour Rick’s dedication and contribution to our profession with an Emeritus membership in the OALA.
This award recognizes the outstanding leadership of a member of the profession in public practice who promotes and enhances landscape architecture by working for improved understanding and appreciation of the work of landscape architects in both public and private practice.
Carolyn started her public practice career in 2002, when she joined the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) following 25 years of private practice incorporating a large network of public agencies and public assignments.
In her current TRCA position as Senior Director, Planning, Greenspace and Communications she has overseen the environmental planning, development review, policy and environmental assessment functions within 18 municipalities in the Toronto region. She has worked with Waterfront Toronto, the National Capital Commission, the former Crombie Commission on Toronto’s waterfront, and the City of Toronto on many landmark planning and design assignments.
Prior to this position, Carolyn was President of Hough Woodland Naylor Dance Leinster, an award winning environmental planning and design firm practising across Canada and internationally. Carolyn was a long standing member and Chair of the Design, Planning and Asset Management Committee of the National Capital Commission in Ottawa – selected from a distinguished national base of experts to oversee national interest through the Capital Region.
As a landscape architect and planner, Carolyn’s significant work with the Province of Ontario, and many municipalities in the GTA over the last 15 years has helped to protect the Ontario’s future by defining plans to manage growth, protect and enhance greenspace, protect watersheds, and focus on climate change.
In all her work, Carolyn has used her landscape architecture skills and experience to their fullest. She has always promoted the profession of landscape architecture and works for an improved understanding and appreciation of the services that landscape architects provide. Her professional career spans 40 years of award recognized consulting, academic teaching and public service.
Carolyn Woodland has made a profound difference towards the environment, her community, and the profession of Landscape Architecture. She is a respected facilitator, commission advisor and jurist, as well as, a passionate advocate for ecological planning and integrating science and design together for community solutions within the public realm.
The award is named after David Erb who was an outstanding volunteer in furthering the goals of OALA and his example set a truly high standard. The award is the best way to acknowledge the one outstanding OALA member each year whose volunteer contributions over a number of years have made a real difference.
Through nearly 20 years of volunteering, Nick Miele’s positive contributions have helped a multitude of candidate landscape architects along their career path.
Since 2000 Nick has been a part of the OALA visiting team to University of Toronto and University of Guelph leading student information sessions and providing outreach and education about the OALA, Landscape Architect Registration Exams (LARE), and to share in his own path to professional designation.
In addition to his work with candidate Landscape Architects, Nick is a long-standing member of the OALA Examining Board, joining the Board in 2005, and stepping up to fill the role of Chair.
Nick is a passionate advocate for our profession. He is committed to outreach initiatives that serve to strengthen the OALA’s partnership with the accredited programs of Landscape Architecture in Ontario and is encouraging of the future generation of emerging professionals.
This award recognizes the outstanding leadership, and contribution of an associate for going above and beyond to assist fellow associates. Activities include, but are not limited to, tutorials, LARE exam help, special tasks, OALA Library, Special Events, meeting associates and others, including being an associate representative on OALA Council.
Trish Clarke, Doris Chee and Sarah CulpTrish Clarke, embodies the exceptional qualities expected of an OALA associate member recognized by this award. Trish joined the OALA Council as an associate representative in April of 2016 and has been a valuable addition to both the council and the associate membership. With her friendly and personable manner, Trish always goes out of her way to interact with associate members.
We are pleased to note that a cheque for $500 also accompanies this award to help offset the cost of a LARE exam.
This award is given to a non-landscape architectural individual, group, organization, or agency in the Province of Ontario to recognize and encourage a special or unusual contribution to the sensitive, sustainable design for human use of the environment. The contribution must emulate the fundamental principles of OALA and the OALA Mission Statement and go beyond the normal levels of community action in preserving, protecting or improving the environment.
Paula Davies has been a dedicated volunteer in environmental stewardship since the late 1980’s and has been instrumental in the Todmorden Mills project, which has recently been designated an Environmentally Significant Area by the City of Toronto. The Wildflower Preserve serves as an excellent model of a citizen-lead restoration of an urban ravine.
The mission of the Todmorden Mills Wildflower Preserve, started in 1991 is to return the degraded area back into a healthy and thriving natural environment.
Under Paula’s direction, members of the Preserve have been actively restoring forest, wetlands and meadows. Through various strategic partnerships, over the years, the passionate volunteer group has created an oasis of natural habitat, where only a degraded forest existed before.
In addition to Paula’s work at Todmorden, she is a member of the OMNRF Monarch Butterfly Rescue group, who hand-raise Monarch butterflies. Each year Paula raises dozens of Monarchs from eggs and releases them into the wild. She is a board member of Protect Nature TO, a group focussed on protecting natural parks from overuse in Toronto, as is a director of the Toronto Historical Association where she focuses on protection of natural heritage.
Paula is always willing to work cooperatively with others and shares her extensive knowledge willingly and generously.
The Honorary category of membership is for non-landscape architects for whom Council wishes to recognize for outstanding contributions in their own fields to improving the quality of natural and human environments.
Ken is widely recognized for his big picture thinking, his passion for thoughtful design and, most important, his deep respect for the profession of landscape architecture.
Ken is an urban designer, teacher, writer, former Director of Urban Design and Architecture for the City of Toronto and Principal of Greenberg Consultants. For over four decades, Ken has played a pivotal role on public and private assignments in urban settings throughout North America and Europe.
With each project, his strategic, consensus-building approach has led to coordinated planning and a renewed focus on urban design. Ken has collaborated with some of the greatest landscape architects in North America.
Ken has been involved in projects across Ontario that have advanced the profession of landscape architecture in Ontario. Ken’s been involved in urban design, campus plans and community planning projects from Niagara Region to Ottawa. He’s a tireless collaborator who works with landscape architects every chance he gets.
Geoff founded Evergreen in 1991 with the ambition to connect people to nature in cities. Since then, Evergreen has evolved into a national organization focused on integrating people, natural and built worlds, turning spaces into great places.
In 2010, he led the creation of Evergreen Brick Works, an adaptive re-use of 16 buildings on a 41 acre campus in downtown Toronto, a place where the world can experience sustainable practices that enable flourishing cities. With national award-winning programs, Evergreen has become internationally known for its tackling of environmental and urban challenges.
This past June Geoff was named Member (C.M.) of the Order of Canada, one of the country’s highest civilian honours, recognizing his outstanding achievement and leadership in creating sustainable, thriving urban environments in schools, public spaces and communities across the country.
Over the years, Geoff has consistently demonstrated a keen ability to engage with landscape architects and students of landscape architecture from across the province and beyond.