Landscape Architecture in Action: Celebrating WLAM 2026

Every April, the world turns its attention to the spaces between the buildings… The parks, the plazas, the schoolyards, and the trails that define how we live, move, and play. This is World Landscape Architecture Month (WLAM), and at Carolina Recreation & Design, we couldn’t be more excited to join the celebration.

The theme for 2026 is “Landscape Architecture in Action.” To us, this means that a great park isn’t just a sketch on a page; it’s a deliberate choice to design for the future.

What Does “Action” Look Like?

Before a single piece of equipment is installed, landscape architecture is already at work. We see “Action” in three key ways:

  • Action Through Resilience: Using design to solve environmental challenges, like protecting families from rising UV levels with strategic shade.
  • Action Through Development: Choosing equipment that isn’t just a “toy,” but a tool designed to improve a child’s core strength, spatial awareness, and confidence.
  • Action Through Community: Transforming underutilized or high-traffic lots into vibrant social hubs where neighbors actually want to linger and connect.

Our Projects in Action: Real-World Examples

To see these principles in the real world, you don’t have to look far. Here are two of our recent projects that embody this year’s theme:

1. The Art of Connection: Block D Park (Tysons, VA)

In the heart of Tysons, Virginia, Block D Park is a masterclass in urban connectivity. Landscape architecture “in action” here meant transforming a busy area near the McLean Metro station into a peaceful, art-filled retreat.

  • The Impact: By integrating an art-focused walkway with shaded seating and open lawns, the design encourages commuters and residents to slow down and connect with their surroundings. It proves that even the most high-traffic urban areas can become vibrant green sanctuaries.

2. Artistic Resilience: Marbles Kids Museum (Raleigh, NC)

At the Marbles Kids Museum, “action” meant solving a practical problem—heat and UV protection—with high-level creativity.

  • The Impact: Instead of standard utility umbrellas, the museum now features custom-built shades shaped like flowers and butterflies. This is landscape architecture at its best: providing essential safety and comfort while reinforcing the space’s “playful” mission through visual storytelling.

Why This Month Matters

Landscape architects are visionaries who balance the needs of people with those of the environment. They ensure that our outdoor spaces manage stormwater effectively, promote biodiversity, and remain accessible to everyone, regardless of ability.

WLAM is a time to pull back the curtain and show that these spaces don’t happen by accident. They are the result of careful planning, creative problem-solving, and a deep commitment to public health, safety, and welfare.

Continuing the Conversation: See Us at SERC 2026

Our commitment to “Action” doesn’t end when April thrives—it carries right into May! We are excited to announce that our team will be attending the ASLA Southeast Regional Conference (SERC) in Raleigh from May 30 to June 1, 2026.

This year’s theme, “Rising Together: Innovation and Stewardship for a Changing Southeast,” aligns perfectly with our mission. We’re looking forward to collaborating with fellow professionals from across the Carolinas and Georgia to explore new ways to design resilient, joyful spaces for our communities. If you’re attending, come say hello!

How You Can Join the Action

We invite you to participate in making landscape architecture visible this month:

  1. Spot the Design: Next time you’re at your favorite local park or schoolyard, take a look around. Notice how the paths move, how the shade is positioned, and how the play equipment integrates with the landscape.
  2. Share Your Space: Take a photo of a landscape that improves your daily life. Whether it’s a quiet garden or a bustling playground, post it on social media using the hashtag #WLAM2026 and tag @nationalASLA.
  3. Appreciate a PLA: April 1, 2026, was Professional Landscape Architects Day. If you know a landscape architect, thank them for the work they do in shaping our Carolinas! (We know quite a few. 😉)

Let’s Put Your Vision Into Action

At Carolina Recreation & Design, we believe that great design has the power to change a community. Are you ready to see “Landscape Architecture in Action” at your facility?Call us today at 704-664-1833 and let’s start designing a space that will serve your community for generations to come.

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