Washington, DC May 7, 2021 – At its virtual Awards Gala on May 6, the Potomac Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects recognized 10 projects with professional awards.  Sunny Scully Alsup, FASLA, the first employee at Oehme Van Sweden and one of the founders of the firm now known as LSG, was honored with the 2021 Lifetime Achievement Award.

The online audience also learned from Jenn Low, PLA, ASLA, Communications Director at the Urban Studio and Deputy Director of the 1882 Foundation.  Jenn leads a collection of place-keeping initiatives in D.C.’s Chinatown, including the Dear Chinatown, DC Mapping Project.  Jenn spoke on Design Shifts in the 21st Century: Deliberate Moves to Bend Toward Justice.

Mahan Rykiel Associates Inc. received the Honor Award in the Design Unbuilt category for Bennett’s Village Playground, an all- abilities playground concept for Pen Park in Charlottesville, Virginia.

The non-profit Bennett’s Village, Inc. hired Mahan Rykiel to design the playground in memory of Five-year-old  Charlottesville native Bennett  McClurken-Gibney who died in 2018 from Spinal Muscular Atrophy, a disorder that weakens muscle functionality.

The design intent of the Bennett’s Village project is to build a multi-generational, all abilities playground that is fun, safe, inspiring, and beautiful, advancing community-wide understanding about inclusivity, open space, nature, and play.

Bennett’s Village Inc. is currently raising money to have the park built. The organization is a 501(c)(3), which means that all donations are tax deductible. More information on how to donate and get involved can be found at : https://bennettsvillage.org/donate/