Adventure Park Insider | Winter 2019
SE Group Landscape Architect Adam Portz writes about how the outdoor environment of adventure parks can enhance the guest experience beyond adrenaline, challenge, and thrill.
Click here to read the full article.
Travis Beck, Director of Environmental Services, spoke with the NSAA Journal about the expansion project at Arapahoe Basin Ski Area. SE Group partnered with Arapahoe Basin to help respond to public concerns, find alternatives to minimize impact, and navigate the planning and permitting with regard to the National Environmental Policy Act.
Click here to read the full article.
SE Group Landscape Architects Patrick Olstad and Jason Hoover presented an article in the July 2018 issue of Ski Area Management about the importance of resort landscaping designed for non-winter use.
Click here to read the full article.
Bogus Basin recently opened for its first full Summer Season, offering new attractions including a mountain coaster, tubing hill and trampoline. SE Group worked with Bogus Basin to complete a Strategic Master Plan that identified the establishment of new summer activities.
Click here for a story featured on Boise’s local news channel KTVB.
SE Group is pleased to announce that “Rediscovering Chester: A Master Plan for Chester Village Center” for the Town of Chester, Vermont has been recognized with two planning awards—Plan of the Year by Vermont Planners Association and a Merit Award by the Vermont ASLA!
Learn MoreSE Group is particularly proud to share these awards with the Town of Chester. Through the efforts of the project’s steering committee and municipal staff, the Town worked diligently to assure the development of a plan that recognized the important historic character of this quintessential Vermont village and emphasized the value of bringing the community together.
This plan has set a new bar for implementation. From the onset, a major focus of SE Group’s efforts was to identify specific and actionable initiatives that advanced the broad vision the Master Plan and supported momentum. In just the past few months the Town has moved forward with signage and wayfinding efforts, is reviewing its land use code to better support historic resources, and is developing a new pocket park. The Town has also recently secured a Transportation Assistance Program grant to design and implement a new pedestrian connection between the Chester Depot and Main Street. Each of these initiatives was fostered in the Master Plan.
Chester is on the move and SE Group couldn’t be more excited for this terrific community!
Learn more about the plan by visiting the portfolio page.
Claire Humber and John Ashworth are once again teaming up to lead a panel discussion at the upcoming NSAA National Tradeshow and Convention in Marco Island, FL. “Preparing for Change: Planning for an Unknown Future” will address the changing expectations of guests and the evolving demands on resort facilities.
Saturday, May 5 | 1:15 pm - 2:30 pm Learn MorePreparing for Change: Planning for an Unknown Future
With changing expectations and evolving demands on facilities and infrastructure, areas are spending valuable capital on building to meet a future demand that may not have even been thought of yet. Gone are the days of being able to build or plan for a single purpose. That new bike trail? How will it impact the ski run expansion into that area? That new kiosk at the bottom of Lift 4? Will the power and water be sufficient when that changes from a pre-made, grab-and-go spot to a hot dog stand and then a curry shop? Can that kid’s ski school expansion become a yoga studio during the summer months? Taking the time during the planning process to consider different scenarios and future needs can save you valuable resources when the unexpected demands of fickle customers force you to evolve.
Contact Claire or John to learn more about the presentation, or to connect with them at the event.
The Forest Service recently hosted Regional Roundtables to solicit feedback and discuss ideas, strategies, and tactics to improve the way the agency implements the NEPA process and engages with permittees, stakeholders, and the public.
Learn MoreSE Group President, Kent Sharp participated in the Region 5 (Pacific Southwest) Roundtable, while Travis Beck, Director of Environmental Services, participated in the Roundtables held in Region 2 (Rocky Mountain), Region 3 (Southwestern), and Region 4 (Intermountain).
Roundtable topics included:
* Forest Service introspective assessment of how the agency conducts NEPA, what is working and what is not
* Getting back to the basics
* NEPA process timelines
* Opportunities for improvement
* Agency culture and leadership
Summary reports, along with more on this discussion, are currently available online for Regions 1, 2, 3, 6, 8, 9, 10 and Washington, and can be found at: https://www.nationalforests.org/collaboration-resources/environmental-analysis-and-decision-making-roundtables.
Please contact Travis should you wish to explore how we can apply our expertise to your project.
Chris Cushing, Director of Mountain Planning + Design, spoke with Blueprint, presented by CBRE about the nuanced and complex process of ski resort planning; especially when it involves a brand new ski area.
Click here to read the full article.
A recent article in the New York Times highlighted the efforts to develop and maintain backcountry ski areas in Vermont. Watch a RASTA video showing the work they do and concluding with the fifth annual Vermont Backcountry Forum, an event that included presentations and sponsorship by SE Group.
Learn MoreRochester/Randolph Area Sports Trail Alliance (RASTA) is a member of the Vermont Backcountry Alliance (VTBC)—a program of the Catamount Trail Association and a growing voice for Vermont’s evolving backcountry skiing and riding community. The Vermont Backcountry Alliance recently held the fifth annual Backcountry Forum in Rochester, VT.
The following clip shows RASTA organizers and volunteers hard at work at Brandon Gap, and features highlights from the Backcountry Forum, of which SE Group was a sponsor. Additionally, our own Tom Hand and Drew Pollak-Bruce were in attendance to present some of the metrics and data out of last years trail counts on the CTA. The presentation stirred up a lot of interest from the public, as well as partners. SE Group is excited to be working to develop this recreational resource with such a passionate community.
Brad McQuarrie, General Manager of Mount Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park, speaks about exciting improvements to the ski area and how SE Group’s long-term collaboration was instrumental in developing the vision, framework, and plan to bring these objectives to fruition.
Learn MoreSE Group has been working with Mount Spokane since 2006 to develop an action plan to expand their operations. This project exemplifies the power of collaboration and teamwork to identify solutions when navigating a variety of interests and stakeholders. In the following clip Brad McQuarrie, General Manager of Mount Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park, speaks about exciting improvements to the ski area and how SE Group’s long-term collaboration was instrumental in developing the vision, framework, and plan to bring these objectives to fruition.