Manning Design Landscape Architecture

Reed City Depot

Reed City, MI

Manning Design was retained to design the site and signage for a new municipal building in Reed City, Michigan.  The Reed City Depot serves as the trailhead for the crossroads of two Rails-to-Trails: the Pere Marquette and the White Pine trails.  The new building also houses the Chamber of Commerce and DDA offices and a community meeting room.  

 Unique features of the site design include:  a snowmelt system under the brick plaza and handicap parking area, a historical luggage cart displayed on site, a replica of a water tower serving as an informational kiosk,a firepit and a fireplace located under the picnic pavilion. 

Project Services:  design for all site features and landscaping, construction documentation, construction observation

Riverwalk Donor Recognition Area

Big Rapids, Michigan

Manning Design provided design services to the lead landscape architectural consultant (Cornelisse Design Associates) for the Donor Recognition Area and other areas for the Big Rapids Riverwalk. 

Bakers Field Master Plan

Port Huron Township, MI

Manning Design was retained in 2007 to develop a Master Plan for a 58 acre undeveloped site along the Black River. 

Manning Design guided the township in developing a program for Bakers Field and to build consensus between the public, the adjacent neighborhood, municipal offices, and private clubs as to the future use of the park.  Manning Design crafted a Master Plan which includes nature trails, disc golf, picnic areas, a small boat launch, fishing access sites, and paved walking trails.

Manning Design was hired in 2008 to prepare a Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund grant application for Phase 1 development.  The DNR awarded Port Huron Twp. with a $282,150 MNRTF grant.

Manning Design has worked closely with Johnson & Anderson Engineers to develop construction drawings.  Construction started in spring 2011.

Client testimonial:

"Marlies Manning does an excellent job of engaging the public and the municipal officials.  Marlies has a very comfortable approach that allows for greater input from the participants.  Our project was greatly enhanced by the amount of feedback we received from the public.  We had a greater buy-in as well.  Marlies did a great job for us and we have a noteworthy project that we are moving forward on.  We truly gained a great deal by having Marlies assist us in our Project."

                        Michael Uskiewicz, (former) Port Huron Township Manager

Stone Fish Hatchery Park Master Plan

Paris, MI

Project Description: Manning Design was retained to develop a Master Plan for a new park in Green Charter Township, MI.  The four acre parcel along Paris Creek is the site for the Stone Fish Hatchery building, built in the 1930's for use as a fish hatchery.  Manning Design sought public input through a survey and public meetings.  The resulting Master Plan includes new walk connections to neighborhoods, the White Pine Trail, the Townhall Park (also design by Manning Design), and the Township hall.  The presence of water is celebrated by daylighting a stream that now runs through a culvert, creating an enhanced wetland, displaying environmental and historic interpretive information, and developing picnic and play areas.  Environmentally sensitive stormwater management practices include bio-swales and pervious pavement.

 Project services:  developing the Master Plan, cost estimating, preparation of the Green Township Recreation Master Plan.

White Pine Trail Depot Trailhead

Big Rapids, MI

Project Description:  Manning Design was retained by the City of Big Rapids to design a Master Plan for the historic Big Rapids Depot site.  The Depot serves as the trailhead for the White Pine Trail.  The Master Plan includes improved parking, a picnic area, design for a restroom/storage building to complement the Depot, and a snow mobile staging area.

Project Services: Master Plan design

Big Rapids Housing Commission

Big Rapids, MI

Project Description:  The Big Rapids Housing Commission undertook a major landscape improvement project at Parkview Village South, a seniors housing complex.  As part of an effort to provide barrier free access to all 67 housing units, Manning Design, LLC was retained to design new barrier free walks, new landscaping, outdoor areas for social gathering, and a new pedestrian gateway along highway M-20. 

Project Services:  Design, construction detailing, assist with construction observation.

Bio-Physical Science Building Courtyard , Michigan State University

East Lansing, MI

 Project Services:  Landscape design  

Wahby Park

St. Clair Shores, MI

Project Services: Design, Project Manager, construction detailing, construction administration

(while employed by Hamilton Anderson Associates)

Conner Creek Fish Habitat Mitigation Project 

Detroit, MI.

Project Services: Design, Project Manager, construction detailing  

City of Big Rapids Streetscape Improvement Project

Big Rapids, MI

Distinguished Service Award presented to Manning Design by the Big Rapids Downtown Business Association, January, 2011

Manning Design was retained by the City of Big Rapids to develop drawings and designs for four downtown improvement projects.  The drawings were instrumental in winning a $1 milllion competitive grant: the "Vibrant Small Cities Grant".  Manning Design was retained to develop the final designs for three projects:  Downtown Streetscape Improvement Project, Big Rapids Wayfinding project, and Pocket Park Improvment Project. 

Manning Design strongly supports community input during the design process.  Manning Design guided the community in developing a vision for the "branding" of downtown Big Rapids by organizing and facilitating several community input workshops.

Manning Design was the lead Project Designer from concept stage through Master Plan; Manning Design worked closely with Wilcox Engineers to prepare construction details and assist in construction administration . 

      "Marlies is detail oriented, professional, knowledgeable, and guess     what?... great to work with!!!  That combination equals success and satisfaction!"

                      Rex Schuberg, Big Rapids DBA President

City of Scottville Downtown Master Plan

Scottville, MI

Project designer from concept stage through Master Plan. 

The City of Scottville retained Manning Design to produce sketches and a master plan for downtown Scottville, as well as gather input on Scottville's recreational opportunities for its Recreation Master Plan. 

Marlies Manning conducted two public workshops to gather input on Scottville's needs and desires for its downtown, the image Scottville would like to promote, and how to link the parks with downtown.

The Master Plan and report provided ideas for Scottville to move forward with wayfinding signage, Main Street improvements, landscaping, and improved layout of a large city parking lot, and linkages to the city parks.