Clarence Davids & Company is proud to announce that our work at Gaelic Park in Oak Forest, Illinois won a 2017 Illinois Landscape Contractors Association Excellence in Landscape Award. Our challenge from the client was to take a steel and concrete patio area overlooking an enormous gravel parking lot, 1000’s of feet of chain-link fence, a five story radio tower, playground and soccer field and transform it into their dream event and wedding venue.
We started this project by removing the declining Ash trees. Next, we created a natural water feature to serve as a backdrop and provide both a focal point and a photo opportunity in the space. The waterfall feature, with staggered spillways, offered visual appeal as well as the gentle sound of flowing water. A stone bridge was installed at the end of the falls to complete the feature. It was now time to add our structure-a pergola large enough to comfortably accommodate a large group. The paver patio under the pergola joined a meandering paver path to connect the existing outdoor area with the new event space. This also provided the romantic feel of “walking through a garden” that our client requested. An additional challenge was to revitalize the area along the existing patio so that it would meld together with our newly created event space, while not blocking the spectator view of the soccer field. This was no easy feat. We were able to strategically plant some columnar trees to mask the fence and goal posts and soften the area by installing some low bushes and perennials. At the transition spot, we installed a semicircle stone seating area which could easily adjust from a photo taking “nook” to a conversational fire pit area. Our final challenge was installing the perfect combination of mature plant material for immediate screening with trees and bushes that would mature into the space and both perennials and annuals to provide seasonal blooming and color.
In the end, we were able to take an eyesore, an under-utilized outdoor space and create exactly what our client envisioned; a multi-functional event space which would attract new business and provide a colorful, natural extension of their existing venue. Check out the photos below!
