My volunteer work on a grass-root planning committee inspired me to leave a comfy government job to pursue a degree in landscape architecture. The process of inventorying a community’s historical and cultural sites, agricultural land, trails and open spaces, documenting them visually to tell the story of “what is”, then painting the picture of what could be, was such an intriguing exercise, I was hooked on the power of planning.
More recently, a car-free summer in Italy changed they way I experienced a place. Instead of zooming around in an air-conditioned car, I felt the “real” weather, took in interesting smells, climbed thousands of stairs, and met lots of local characters. Walking brings a certain richness and sense of adventure to one’s experience. As a designer, I want to make the pedestrian environment more friendly, enjoyable and accessible. Hopefully, that will encourage more people to deepen their own connection to the land and their fellow human beings.
Sherie Moore opened the Alta office in the Las Vegas Valley in 2009. Sherie has considerable experience in the planning and public participation process and has worked in the Town and Liaison Services division for Clark County, Nevada. While at the county, Sherie worked on flood control initiatives, a regional watershed project, a land use guide update, and secured funding for a community visual preference initiative. Her strong research, analysis and report writing skills were instrumental in her transit waiting environments study conducted in the Las Vegas valley while at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
Recent Projects
- Moapa Valley Trails Study (Clark County, Nevada)
Moapa Valley is approximately 60 miles northeast of the Las Vegas valley, and just north of Lake Mead. Moapa Valley is a green oasis in the Mojave Desert, with an abundance of outdoor recreational opportunities. Trail user groups included in the plan were pedestrians, cyclists, equestrians and OHV users. Sherie coordinated public meetings and stakeholder interviews, conducted extensive fieldwork and research, developed and evaluated trail alignments. Sherie also developed trail cross sections and trailhead designs for the project. The implementation plan included: cost estimations, a phasing strategy and trail design recommendations. - River Mountains Loop Trail to McCullough Hills & Equestrian Trailhead Study (Henderson, NV)
This study will help determine the best trail alignments to connect the River Mountains Loop Trail to the McCullough Hills Trail. In addition to providing connectivity to neighborhoods divided by US HWY 93/95, the trail is an essential component in the effort to complete a “ring” trail around the Las Vegas valley. Sherie coordinated public meetings, conducted background research, prepared an alignment alternatives evaluation and analysis and created the equestrian trailhead design concept. - Central Utah Valley Bicycle and Pedestrian Study (Orem, UT)
Mountainland Association of Governments (MAG) contracted Alta Planning + Design to develop a Bicycle and Pedestrian Study for the City of Orem, Utah. Project emphasis is on connectivity within the city and the surrounding communities, public involvement and City and MAG staff training in Complete Streets principles. Sherie responsibilities included fieldwork, background document review, public meeting preparations and design work. - Waterbury CT Naugatuck Greenway
Alta is the prime consultant for this seven-mile urban greenway feasibility study along the Naugatuck River in Waterbury. The project will establish a route for bicycle, pedestrian, and trail access through the city, including shared-use path and on-street sections, along with access points to the river at strategic locations. Sherie provided graphic support for this project that included photo simulations and conceptual plans.
Other Related Experience
- Clark County Plan Advisory Group for the Northeast Clark County Land Use Plan update, 2006
- Moapa Valley Strategic Planning Committee Member. Chair of the Visioning and Design Standards sub-committees, 2000-2005
