Designing Connections: The Power of Parks and Recreation to Strengthen Communities
Parks and recreation spaces play a central role in bringing communities together. Through thoughtful design, these environments support connection, encourage active lifestyles and enrich everyday experiences for people of all ages. Recreation naturally brings people together. From spontaneous games on a playground to organized leagues and community events, shared experiences connect people across generations and […]
O’Fallon Community Park Enhancement Project Earns Chamber’s Transformation Award
Communities thrive when investments in public spaces create lasting opportunities for connection, recreation and growth. That commitment to community impact recently earned regional recognition as the O'Fallon Community Park Enhancement Project received the Transformation Award at the 2026 O'Fallon-Shiloh Chamber of Commerce Salute to Business Awards. Presented annually, the Transformation Award recognizes meaningful improvements to […]
FGMA Advances in National Industry Rankings, Reflecting Continued Growth and Design Leadership
FGM Architects has earned higher positions on two of the architecture, engineering and construction industry's most respected national rankings. FGMA climbed to No. 67 on Architectural Record's 2026 Top 300 Architecture Firms list, rising from No. 76 in the previous year. The firm also advanced to No. 303 on Engineering News-Record's (ENR) 2026 Top 500 […]
How City Planning, Zoning and Regulations Shape Successful Architecture Projects
Few topics carry as much long-term impact for a city as its approach to planning and regulation. For municipal leaders, understanding the regulatory process, infrastructure implications and public-engagement landscape isn’t optional — it’s essential to making growth work for communities. Susan Barr brings a unique perspective with her years inside the Development Services Department of […]
Winning the Vote: How to Run a Successful Recreation Facilities Referendum
Recreation centers, public parks and trails, pools, and athletic facilities form the foundation of community wellness and engagement. Successful funding for park districts and projects requires a multifaceted approach. How to run a successful recreation facilities referendum Recreation centers, public parks and trails, pools, and athletic facilities form the foundation of community wellness and engagement. […]
Jersey Meadow Golf Club Takes Second Place for Golf Inc.’s 2025 Clubhouse of the Year
Golf Inc. 2025 Clubhouse of the Year ## Second Place: Jersey Meadow Golf Club ### Jersey Village, Texas Visit golfincmagazine.com for original article published on September 3, 2025. Jersey Meadow Golf Club sought to enrich the social and recreational experience for golfers of all ages and abilities and provide an events space available to the […]
Beyond Loudest Voices: A New Blueprint for Community Engagement in Architecture
In the world of architecture and planning, community engagement has followed a simple formula — a few town halls, a public survey and a consensus-based program design process. It has been a process that favors traditional advocates, a limited amount of recreation activities, and a focus on cost-recovery with limited outside partnership involvement. But for […]
Building for Wellness: The New Era of Community Recreation Design
Originally published on May 8, 2025 in Athletic Business Over the years, our understanding of what truly makes a person healthy has evolved. Once focused primarily on the physical, we now know that mental well-being and social interaction play a significant role in an individual's health. Communities flourish when residents have access to the tools […]
Wayfinding in Architectural Design
More than just architectural signage, wayfinding is a carefully crafted experience that makes built environments intuitive, inclusive and welcoming. Wayfinding in the built environment helps people navigate spaces confidently and efficiently, significantly shaping their overall experience. Clear, intuitive cues — such as signage, maps, design elements, lighting, and even building layout — guide someone from […]
Strategies to Jump-start your Next Community-Recreation Master Plan
This article originally appeared in the PRB+ Magazine Finding Focus Article from November 30, 2024 In today's fast-paced world, accessible and well-designed recreational spaces have become increasingly vital. A survey conducted by the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) found most people agree that local recreational facilities should offer a wide variety of services, such as healthy-living classes, programming for […]