What a wonderful day honoring a man has meant so much to our firm and the landscape architecture profession in South Carolina for the past 50 years. “Ken Simmons has dedicated his life to creating the thriving landscape architecture profession that currently exists in South Carolina,” said Governor Henry McMaster. “Through his landscape architecture firm and lifetime of public service to the profession, he has worked to create countless spaces that have preserved our natural environments, revitalized our urban areas, and promoted tourism. His dedication to growing his profession and creating a better South Carolina for us all makes him an ideal candidate for the Order of the Palmetto.” Thank you Ken for all you have done for the landscape architecture profession!

As a gateway to the South Carolina capital city Columbia, Eau Claire's Hyatt Park represents an opportunity for symbiosis between the human and natural environment.

The 11-acre park previously featured both passive and active opportunities. The all-new Hyatt Park redesign implemented many new park amenities such as hill slides, play structures, a splash pad, a large open play field, a multi-use amphitheater, an interactive stream, and much more.

KBS recently finished working with the River Alliance, City of Columbia, and the Richland County Transportation Program to design and construct the latest phase, the Saluda River-walk. This three-mile section around Columbia’s Riverbanks Zoo, includes access to the Lower Saluda River with plans to connect to Lexington Medical Center and the Lake Murray Dam. This new addition acknowledges, and highlights features such as the former Saluda Factory dam without touching or disturbing them; restroom and maintenance facilities reflect the 1830s architecture of buildings along the former Saluda Canal.

The closure of a wastewater lagoon along the Wateree River opened a conservation and recreation opportunity for the City of Camden. Rather than simply filling in the site, city leaders chose to opportunity for the City of Camden. The park provides a place for wildlife habitat, environmental education, and outdoor recreation opportunities.

The site located in the heart of Forest Acres along Gills Creek. KBS was tasked to design a space to create a sense of place or “town square” for the popular bedroom community of Columbia.  The site features a police memorial to honor two fallen officers, a splash pad/event stage, waterfront promenade, open lawn, food truck parking, and extensive landscaping.