Growing up in farmlands along the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal, I spent many weekends running through cornfields and getting lost in the marsh on my bike. Every weekend my family set out on the Chesapeake Bay, and a new adventure began for my brother, my sister, and me. I didn’t realize all those hours catching enormous catfish with the perfect bait (hotdogs), trekking along the shores seeking treasures of expired bay creatures, and crabbing with raw chicken would provide a foundation later in life for an appreciation of the relationships between natural systems, humans, and the built environment.
After almost ten years in the world of advertising, public relations and marketing, I was looking for an opportunity where I could give back and make a positive impact on people and the environment. Two and one-half years immersed in the Master of Landscape Architecture program at NC State University provided this positive change. I now possess a heightened understanding of stormwater management, ecology, and human behavior, and I hope to help communities understand the importance of enabling healthy choices through design improvements in the built environment.
Backed with a master degree in landscape architecture, Melissa combines her strategic marketing and graphic design skills with technical knowledge. Her MLA thesis vetted elements of placemaking derived from appropriate combinations of social, economic, and ecological factors.
Melissa’s philosophy is to create appropriate designs for users, programmatic intent, and ecological impact. She contributes to trail and greenway master planning and design, photo simulations, community involvement workshops, project websites, branding and image development. Her project management style focuses on process efficiency and strategic messaging for all facets of planning and design including community involvement materials and final plan documents.
Recent Projects
Mims Property Master Plan, NC
The Town of Holly Springs recently purchased 17 acres of wooded land in the core of the Downtown Village District. Melissa is leading the design and community involvement effort to master plan this property - once part of an historic estate with a natural spring and stream. Seeking public input through workshops, social media, and local events, will lead to an appropriate design solution for this ecologically sensitive and topographically challenging site.
Downtown Raleigh Pedestrian Study, NC
The Downtown Raleigh Alliance selected the team of Alta/Greenways and Greene Transportation to conduct a pedestrian count in the core downtown area as well as two entertainment districts. Count methodology, data collection, result analysis and U.S. city comparisons comprised the final written report. This project provides evidence to support and attract economic development in Raleigh, and will become part of the National Bike and Pedestrian Documentation Project database.
Bowles Family Estate Trails, NC
Melissa designed the estate trail encircling the home as a segment of private walking and mountain biking networks on the property. Paths were created to enhance the experience of vast lawns and wooded reliefs, improve vehicle circulation patterns, incorporate sustainable materials, and implement environmentally sensitive design techniques. This gentle, accessible trail provides recreation opportunities for all ages in the family, as well as access to a variety of experiences on the property.
Northwest Arkansas Razorback Greenway, NC
To enhance community awareness and support, Melissa developed a website and Facebook page for the NW Arkansas Razorback Greenway. Social media enhances community participation and allows the planning team to communicate in real time with the public, seeking feedback and input via two-way communication.
Syme Hall Rain Garden, NC
Syme Hall Rain Garden was the pilot project for a Low Impact Development sites initiative on NC State campus. Melissa was part of the design and implementation team that solved erosion, safety, and pollution challenges. Using LID and BMP techniques the site now collects, conveys, and filters stormwater, preventing excess pollutants from entering Rocky Branch Creek.
Additional Projects
Rocky Mount Pedestrian Plan, Aberdeen Pedestrian Plan, NC
For Rocky Mount, Aberdeen and various pedestrian and bicycle plans, Melissa created photo simulations for the plan’s recommendations as well as community outreach materials.
