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Continued from page 13 and large jobs at private homes, commercial work. But I’d say it was working for the municipal government on the Lindsay wa- terfront project that really made it take off.” The Lindsay project drew on his earlier Oshawa experience, designing a boardwalk and public park to beautify the town’s riv- erfront. Similar jobs in Cobourg and Newcastle followed as, in Dan's words, “one thing led to another. “Waterfront projects tend to be popular and successful,” he explains. “The parks become gath- ering places and sources of pride for the whole community. Many unicipal governments look to their waterfronts for potential improvement.” 16 FOCUS - OCTOBER 2010 _ A portion of the intertocking brick lakefront waik, which is now used extensively by both locals and the community. At bottom left, Dan the public into the new, people friendly Palmer Park. Photos by J. Peter Hvidsten The City of Peterborough proposed one such project in 2000, work which would ultimately garner national accolades. “The project's timing coincided with two significant events: the new millennium, and the city’s 150th birthday. Its budget was $2.5 million in the initial phase. “The specifications were challenging: the park needed to reflect ping aspects of history, blending rustic and modern elements. The results were nominated for the Canadian Society of Landscape Architects’ annual award, and won.” The landscape designer's job requires painstaking creative planning as well as flexibility throughout development. “A municipality will come to us with a concept and budget, and we produce an initial plan. Extensive input is then required from the public and other stakeholders, which results in numerous revisions and suggestions. We put it all together.” Once a final version is approved, Dan’s role varies. “Sometimes, I'll just produce the master plan, then send out for bids. In that case, I'll provide ‘contract administration’ to ensure accurate completion by the successful bidders.” The same philosophy, he says, applies to residential projects. “This firm’s small, so we don’t have a ‘construction group,’ which means we work hand in hand with trusted con- tractors.” The company’s compact size, in Dan’s opinion, offers benefits to customers as well as personal satisfaction to its founder. “I see it as a plus,” he says of the two-man operation. “We can concentrate on the design end of each job, and I can be hands-on with everything, the way I like best.” Residential work has become a sizable portion of his busi- ness over time. Though the square-footage will be smaller than a town’s waterfront, Dan’s task is just as challenging. “People often make large investments, and don’t want to waste dollars. Some lakeshore estates in Oakville will top $1 million, similar money to the spending on Port Perry’s water-