Roland Olson Swedish Heritage Park

Rockford, Illinois

The Lakota Group led a master planning process to create an overall vision, as well as detailed design for the first phase of this 86-acre multi-use park facility. The design theme focused on a variety of elements to celebrate Swedish heritage, including a plant palette consisting of swaths of prairie planting and evergreen trees, Scandinavian inspired architecture, and a location for Kubb, a traditional Swedish game. The design takes advantage of the site’s rolling topography to frame key views and to respect and enhance existing wetland and woodland areas, while creating efficient vehicular and pedestrian circulation, compact parking areas, and natural stormwater detention. The initial phase included a pavilion for 125 people, playground and recreation areas, multiple gathering areas, and a large dog park integrated into the existing wooded landscape.