​hillspring design studio

The 100-year old Biology Pond and its environs was in desperate need of restoration. Organic matter deposited over the century left the pond with barely two feet of water. The paths were narrow, wet and inaccessible to the physically challenged. Hillspring Landscape Architecture was retained by the University of Pennsylvania to develop a new look for the pond as well as infrastructure to keep it healthy. Stone retaining walls with large capstones, raised crushed paths, an overlook, waterfall, recessed bubblers, buried conduit for future lighting and new bottom lining were added. Plans were coordinated with Duffield Associates, Inc. and William J. Trefz Consulting Engineers. Services included schematics, design development, construction documentation and administration.

The 6.7 acre cemetery's cultural importance as well as maintenance were slowly in decline. Recognizing this loss, community members formed the Mount Olive Cemetery Preservation Committee to restore it. Hillspring Landscape Architecture was asked to provide Master Planning services for the renovation of the cemetery. Collaborating with The Breckstone Group, church and community members, a vision statement was developed that identified key issues to address: restore the gravestones; plan for educational and cultural uses, improve the visual quality along Lancaster Avenue; identify costs of preserving the cemeteries resources; develop appropriate maintenance, security and infrastructure to sustain the cemetery into the future.

The Chester County Planning Commission asked Mr. Lane to perform a site assessment and provide recommendations for improvements to the Brandywine Battlefield Park in Chadds Ford to be included in a Preservation Plan. The plan contains text and maps outlining existing conditions and recommendations that include: vegetation management; viewsheds; trails; parking; interpretative features; entrance elements; building reuse; period gardens and way of life exhibits and areas for re-enactments.