The Iowa Blood Run Cultural Landscape Master Plan has been awarded a Merit Award for Analysis and Planning by the Wisconsin Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA).
QEA Principal Brenda Williams, was honored to accept the award on behalf of Quinn Evans Architects, the state of Iowa, and the project team during an award ceremony in Milwaukee on March 2.
The Blood Run National Historic Landmark and associated landscape is the largest and most complex site of American Indians associated with the Oneota cultural tradition. This compelling landscape is sacred to current members of several American Indian tribes and contains mounds, pitted boulders, springs and archaeological features associated with their ancestors.
In this highly collaborative Cultural Landscape Master Plan (CLMP) project led by QEA, the focus was on substantial public, tribal and stakeholder involvement to develop a comprehensive plan, including a carefully crafted vision, goals, interpretive themes, and recommendations for future development and use of the new Iowa State Park. The resulting Master Plan provides a guide for future establishment of the bi-state park including visitor orientation and education facilities, and outdoor demonstration area, interpretive trails, an area set aside for sacred activities, picnic areas, native plant restoration areas, an area designated for a long-term establishment of a bio-reserve, a campground, and maintenance facilities. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources and Cultural Affairs initiated the project and provided exceptional support and leadership throughout the process.
