Parks, Recreation, and Open Space

Parks and Open Spaces Designed for Community Connection and Wellbeing

Parks and open spaces are vital infrastructures that serve community needs, encourage active recreation, and support long-term wellness. AHBL partners with cities, counties, special districts, and private developers to plan and design accessible parks, trails, natural areas, green spaces, and recreation facilities that strengthen communities and improve access to public spaces.

With over five decades of combined experience in civil engineering, structural engineering, landscape architecture, land use planning, and land surveying, we help create park systems that inspire community members to engage in recreation and play in the great outdoors in spaces that are designed to be cherished for generations to come.

Explore Our Work
Parks and Recreation Projects We Deliver

AHBL provides comprehensive parks and open space planning, design, and engineering for parks, trails, and recreation systems across the Pacific Northwest. Our teams collaborate with public agencies to modernize existing parks, develop new parks, and upgrade outdoor environments to encourage play, gathering, mobility, and ecological health.

Our experience includes:

  • Athletic complexes for local, regional, and state-based competitions for all sports
  • Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) and feasibility assistance for future park investments
  • Dog parks of all sizes
  • Inclusive play areas, including nature-based playgrounds, and multi-generational recreation spaces
  • Natural areas, habitat restoration sites, and water access points
  • Park master planning and redevelopment
  • Pocket, community, neighborhood, and regional parks and open space projects
  • Site access, ADA accessibility, circulation, parking, restrooms and other vital infrastructure
  • Sport-specific competition fields and courts, including football, soccer, rugby, lacrosse, baseball, softball, and tennis and pickleball courts
  • Trails, trailheads, greenways, and regional park system connections

We’ve spent decades developing deep expertise, and our work demonstrates an understanding of community engagement, jurisdictional expectations, zoning, operational needs, and the vital role parks play in fostering a strong sense of community.

See the Vision Come to Life

  • 132nd Square Park

    A stormwater park comes to life in Kirkland

  • Balfour Park

    Connecting civic life through people‑first design

  • Bear Lake Regional Park Master Plan

    Transforming Bear Lake into a more accessible, resilient recreation space

  • Mirror Pond Restoration, Manito Park

    Improving water quality at beloved local park

  • Oak Tree Park Improvements

    Oak Tree Park contains 25-acres of historic Garry Oak habitat

See More Parks and Recreation Projects

How We Collaborate with Parks and Recreation Clients

Parks projects often require broad input, careful phasing, and close coordination with community members. AHBL supports and augments agency teams with processes that help keep projects on schedule and aligned with community expectations.

Planning Rooted in Community Needs

We partner with jurisdictions to evaluate facilities, recreation gaps, demographics, natural resources, and operations—ensuring balanced investment in park spaces. Through public engagement, hearing preparation, and collaboration with local governments and advisory groups, we integrate community feedback on accessibility and safety into practical, culturally responsive solutions.

Clear Documentation for Permitting and Construction

AHBL produces plans, reports, and technical documentation that inform capital improvement efforts, permitting, bidding, and construction. This documentation helps agencies communicate effectively with contractors and other project stakeholders.

Designed with the Long-Term in Mind

Our team focuses on maintenance needs, practical operations, environmental sustainability, and long-term flexibility. AHBL’s designs for public parks and recreational facilities support agencies in implementing initiatives that protect natural resources, enhance resilience, and strengthen the overall park system.
  • Our Services
    Our Core Services

    We bring every element of a park together in harmony, creating spaces where communities can easily connect with recreation and nature. Our growing list of athletic field projects for schools and municipalities leverages our expertise in synthetic and natural turf systems, stormwater infrastructure, and long-term maintenance strategies.

    Our team assists clients secure funding through precise cost assessments and grant-ready master plans, including submissions to the Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO). We connect your community’s goals to make them a reality, ensuring every playground, trail, and restroom contributes to the overall vision for your recreation system.

    • Civil Engineering
    • Structural Engineering
    • Landscape Architecture
    • Land Use Planning
    • Land Surveying
  • Civil Engineering

    Parks and public spaces rely on effective civil engineering to stand the test of time for future generations’ enjoyment. AHBL thoughtfully designs grading, utilities, water quality systems, stormwater management, paths, and durable site infrastructure for parks and recreation facilities. We also support public works teams with solutions that account for long-term maintenance needs and life-cycle costs.

  • Structural Engineering

    We emphasize constructability, accessibility, and resilience in public environments, and our structural engineers design shelters, overlooks, retaining walls, pedestrian bridges, boardwalks, and structures that enhance recreational opportunities and year-round use.

  • Landscape Architecture

    Landscape architecture plays a leading role in the design of parks and open public spaces. AHBL creates site concepts, planting plans, circulation systems, natural resource integration, and accessible outdoor environments. Our work additionally considers sustainability, habitat protection, and community-focused design elements, such as play areas, intuitive signage, and public art integration.

  • Land Use Planning

    Our land use professionals provide master plans, SEPA documentation, feasibility studies, public process coordination, and more. We assist jurisdictions with needs assessments, demographic analysis, capital improvement plans, and permitting strategies to keep parks projects aligned with regulatory expectations.

  • Land Surveying

    AHBL provides boundary surveys, topographic surveys, construction staking, and mapping that informs park master planning, trail construction, and infrastructure upgrades. Our survey work gives agencies clear insight into existing site constraints and opportunities.