HALS Challenge Winners

Results of the 15th annual HALS Challenge were announced at the annual ASLA Conference on Landscape Architecture on Tuesday, October 8, 2024. Congratulations to the winners! Sponsored by the National Park Service, cash prizes were awarded to the top 3 submissions. This challenge resulted in the donation of 11 impressive HALS short format historical reports, measured drawings, and large-format photographs to the HALS Collection.

2024: No Theme

1st Place

Devil's Den State Park

  • Survey Number: HALS AR-13
  • Location: West Fork vicinity, Arkansas
  • By Kimball Erdman, Lori Filbeck, Allen Hart, Sophia Bobzien, Andreia Alfaro, Emily Booth, Matthew Gauldin, Brett Paris, Reed Waters, Angie Payne, Malcolm Williams, Manon Wilson; Fay Jones School of Architecture + Design and the Center for Advanced Spatial Technologies, University of Arkansas

2nd Place

Cochran Ditch

  • Survey Number: HALS NV-6
  • Location: Reno, Nevada
  • By Dr. Jung-Hwa Kim and Jacel Zeres Avila, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, School of Architecture; Amanda Rookey; and Melinda Gustin

3rd Place

Freedom Riders National Monument

  • Survey Number: HALS AL-9
  • Location: Anniston, Alabama
  • By Laura L. Knott

Honorable Mention

Ellsworth Rock Gardens

  • Survey Number: HALS MN-13
  • Location: Kabetogama Township, Minnesota
  • By David Driapsa

2023: Working Landscapes

1st Place

Tangier Island Watermen Working Landscape

  • Survey Number: HALS VA-88
  • Location: Tangier, Virginia
  • By Lincoln L. Lewis and William A. Packwood, University of Virginia

2nd Place

Foster City Levees

  • Survey Number: HALS CA-173
  • Location: Foster City, California
  • By Andrea Gaffney, based on original research and analysis prepared by Vicki Beard

3rd Place

Weeden Farm

  • Survey Number: HALS RI-4
  • Location: South Kingston, Rhode Island
  • By Elena Pascarella RLA, ASLA

Honorable Mention

Ritchie Farm

  • Survey Number: HALS NC-11
  • Location: Mount Pleasant vicinity, North Carolina
  • By William Lutrick, ASLA, and David Driapsa, FASLA

2022: Olmsted Landscapes

1st Place

California's North Coast Redwood Parks

  • Survey Number: HALS CA-166
  • Location: Del Norte and Humboldt Counties, California
  • By Douglas Nelson, ASLA, Landscape Architect

2nd Place

Gray Gardens

  • Survey Number: HALS MA-9
  • Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts
  • By Allison A. Crosbie, ASLA, City of Cambridge Historical Commission

3rd Place

Lakeshore Highlands

  • Survey Number: HALS CA-167
  • Location: Oakland, California
  • By Stacy Farr, Architectural Historian; Chris Pattillo, FASLA, HALS Northern California Chapter; Petra Marar, Ellen Monroe, and Cathy Garrett, PGAdesign; and Betty Marvin, Planner III, Historic Preservation, City of Oakland

Honorable Mention

Cadwalader Park

  • Survey Number: HALS NJ-9
  • Location: Trenton, New Jersey
  • By Rebecca Flemer, M.S., University of Pennsylvania; Evelyn Timberlake, M.S., University of Vermont; Randy Baum, Licensed Landscape Architect; and David Bosted, Trenton Museum Society Trustee and Historian

National Association for Olmsted Parks (NAOP) Certificate for Submission by a College or Graduate Student

Terwilliger Parkway

  • Survey Number: HALS OR-8
  • Location: Portland, Oregon
  • By Jeremy T. Ebersole, Historic Preservation Graduate Program, University of Oregon; with contributions by Anton Vetterlein; Wes Risher; William J. Hawkins, III – Friends of Terwilliger

National Association for Olmsted Parks (NAOP) Certificate for Work of the Olmsted Firm in Ohio

Hills and Dales Park

  • Survey Number: HALS OH-16
  • Location: Kettering, Ohio
  • By Bernadette Whitworth, Historical and Cultural Resources Manager, Five Rivers MetroParks; Laura Stevens, Interpretation Coordinator, Five Rivers MetroParks; David Schmidt, Research Consultant, The Oakwood Historical Society; and Eric R. Sauer, RLA, Planning Manager, Five Rivers MetroParks

National Association for Olmsted Parks (NAOP) Certificate for Non-Park Work of the Olmsted Firm

Lawrenceville School

  • Survey Number: HALS NJ-10
  • Location: Lawrenceville, New Jersey
  • By Elaine A. Mills, Registered Landscape Architect, ISA Certified Arborist, LEED AP

2021: Historic Black Landscapes

1st Place

Golden Gate Village

  • Survey Number: HALS CA-158
  • Location: Sausalito, California
  • By Douglas Nelson, ASLA, RHAA Landscape Architects

2nd Place

River View Farm

  • Survey Number: HALS VA-87
  • Location: Charlottesville, Virginia
  • By Liz Sargent, FASLA, Principal, Liz Sargent HLA, with Steve Thompson, Dede Smith, and Nell Boeschenstein

3rd Place (tie)

Beltane Ranch

  • Survey Number: HALS CA-162
  • Location: Glen Ellen, California
  • By Arthur Dawson, Baseline Consulting; Kara Brunzell, Brunzell Historical; and Janet Gracyk

City Hall Park (Oscar Grant Plaza)

  • Location: Oakland, California
  • By Cecilia Distefano, Kelly Flairty, Cathy Garrett (CA PLA, NVLA, LEED AP, CLARB, ASLA), Evan MacGregor, Petra Marar (ASLA), Adrienne Newton (CA PLA, ASLA), Grace Tada (ASLA), and Kari Tanaka (CA PLA, ULI)

Honorable Mentions

Eleutherian College, College Hill Cemetery, and Lyman and Asenath Hoyt House

  • Survey Number: HALS IN-16
  • Location: Lancaster, Indiana
  • By Dorna Eshrati, Jeremy Merrill, Peter J. Ellery, Malcolm Cairns, and Christopher Baas (Department of Landscape Architecture, Ball State University); J.P. Hall (Department of Architecture, Ball State University); Sean O’Neill (Classical Studies Department, Hanover College); and Darrin L. Rubino (Biology Department, Hanover College)

Evergreen Cemetery

  • Survey Number: HALS VA-86
  • Location: Richmond, Virginia
  • By Laura L. Knott, FASLA, MSHP, for The Enrichmond Foundation

Val Verde

  • Survey Number: HALS CA-163
  • Location: Val Verde, California
  • By Libby Simon

2020: Vanishing or Lost Landscapes

1st Place

Harvard Botanic Garden

  • Survey Number: HALS MA-6
  • Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts
  • By Allison A. Crosbie, Preservation Administrator, Cambridge Historical Commission

2nd Place (tie)

Jerome Relocation Center

  • Survey Number: HALS AR-9
  • Location: Jerome vicinity, Arkansas
  • The project was led by faculty member Kimball Erdman, with the assistance of fellow faculty member Greg Herman, staff member Angie Payne, and students Justice Barnes, Trevor Brown, Vanessa Castaneda, Nate Cole, Amanda Davidson, Alec Fischer, Chloe Harris, Cayla McGrail, Mary Nell Miskin, Kelsey Mork, Stephen Sines, and Jenna Whitmire; Fay Jones School of Architecture + Design and the Center for Advanced Spatial Technologies (University of Arkansas)

University Mound Nursery

  • Location: San Francisco, California
  • By Stacy Farr and Eleanor Cox

3rd Place

Henry Schumacher Farm

  • Survey Number: HALS WI-19
  • Location: Waunakee, Wisconsin
  • By Megan Turner with photographs by Rona Neri

2019: Historic Streetscapes

1st Place

Carretera Central

  • Survey Number: HALS PR-2
  • Location: San Juan, Puerto Rico
  • By Teresita M. Del Valle, RA, ASLA

2nd Place

Larchwood

  • Survey Number: HALS MA-5
  • Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts
  • By Allison A. Crosbie, ASLA, Preservation Administrator; and Kathleen Rawlins, Assistant Director, City of Cambridge Historical Commission

3rd Place

Broad Street

  • Survey Number: HALS SC-20
  • Location: Charleston, South Carolina
  • By John Bennett, Kayleigh Defenbaugh, Monica Hendricks, Tanesha High, Elliott Simon, and Rachel Wilson – Clemson University / College of Charleston.
  • Faculty Sponsor: Carter L. Hudgins, Director, Graduate Program in Historic Preservation

Honorable Mention

Main Street

  • Survey Number: HALS SC-21
  • Location: Greenville, South Carolina
  • By Rebekah Lawrence

2018: Memorialization, Commemorating the Great War

1st Place

Golden Gate Park, Heroes' Grove and Gold Star Mothers' Memorial Boulder

  • Survey Number: HALS CA-49-B
  • Location: San Francisco, California
  • By Cate Bainton with large-format photographs by Les Tabata and Cate Bainton

2nd Place

American Academy in Rome, Thrasher Ward Memorial

  • Survey Number: HALS US-10-A
  • Location: Rome, Italy
  • By James O'Day, ASLA

3rd Place

Monument Terrace

  • Survey Number: HALS VA-79
  • Location: Lynchburg, Virginia
  • By Laura Knott, RLA, MSHP

Honorable Mention

Liberty Row

  • Survey Number: HALS OH-13
  • Location: Passing through Cleveland, Cleveland Heights, and Shaker Heights, Ohio
  • By P. Jeffrey Knopp, ASLA

2017: Documenting City and Town Parks

1st Place

Lee Park

  • Survey Number: HALS VA-78
  • Location: Charlottesville, Virginia
  • By Liz Sargent, Liz Sargent HLA, and Jennifer Trompetter, NBW

2nd Place

McKinley Park

  • Survey Number: HALS CA-133
  • Location: Sacramento, California
  • By Douglas Nelson, ASLA, RHAA Landscape Architects

3rd Place

Enright Park

  • Survey Number: HALS PA-31
  • Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
  • By Angelique Bamberg

Honorable Mentions

Eisenhower Park

  • Survey Number: HALS RI-2
  • Location: Newport, Rhode Island
  • By Elena M. Pascarella, RLA, ASLA, HALS liaison RI Chapter ASLA, with collaboration from: Tanya Kelley, Landscape Designer, Principal, PLACEstudio, LLC, and RI Historic Preservation Commissioner; Acadia Cummings Stevens, BA, Classical Civilization, Wheaton College 2017; Jonathan Dexter Stevens, MCP, urban planner and Rhode Island State Historic Preservation Officer 2013-15; Kate Dana, Associate PLACEstudio, LLC; and Mary Stuart Wiggins, Landscape Intern, PLACEstudio, LLC

Marshall Square Park

  • Survey Number: HALS PA-32
  • Location: West Chester, Pennsylvania
  • By Anne F. Walters, RLA, ASLA, Friends of Marshall Square Park; Jeffery C. Beitel, AIA, Friends of Marshall Square Park; and Barry G. Stingel, RLA, ASLA

Clemson University School of Architecture, Master of Science in Historic Preservation, group effort to document the parks of Charleston, South Carolina:

  • Cannon Park (HALS SC-15) by Alix Barrett and Claire Bushemi
  • Colonial Lake (HALS SC-16) by Kristina Poston and Mary Fesak
  • Marion Square (HALS SC-17) by Kate Gallotta and Katie Martin
  • Washington Square Park (HALS SC-18) by Diana Inthavong and Torie McCollu
  • White Point Gardens (HALS SC-19) by Matt Amiss and Lauren Lindsey
  • Faculty Sponsor: Carter L. Hudgins, Director, Clemson University & College of Charleston, Graduate Program in Historic Preservation, Department of Planning, Development and Preservation

2016: Documenting National Register Listed Landscapes

1st Place

Empire Ranch

  • Survey Number: HALS AZ-19
  • Location: Greaterville vicinity, Arizona
  • By Gina Chorover, MLA, Heritage Conservation Program, University of Arizona; Helen Erickson, MLA, Drachman Institute, University of Arizona; Robin Pinto, PhD, Consultant; and University of Arizona Heritage Conservation Program Student Researchers: Abrar Abdullah H. Alkadi, Heather Leigh Havelka, Armando Lagunas, Gabrielle Miller, Taira Lynn Newman, Genna Renee Vande-Stouwe, Jessica Paola Estrada, Rachel Hornby, Nicole Lavely, Kathryn Elizabeth McKinney, and Chelsea Parraga

2nd Place (tie)

Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace, Garden

  • Survey Number: HALS GA-4
  • Location: Savannah, Georgia
  • By Daves Rossell, PhD, Professor of Architectural History, Savannah College of Art and Design, and his students: Anthony Nicholas, Stephanie Heher, Carleigh Hessian, Ricardo Chiuz, Paul Fritz, Chelsea Lyle, and Lois Watts

Mount Vernon Memorial Highway, Commemorative Groves

  • Location: Along the Potomac River from McLean to Mount Vernon, Virginia
  • By Paul Kelsch, PhD, Associate Professor, Landscape Architecture Program, Virginia Tech, Washington Alexandria Architecture Center

3rd Place

Lincoln Park, Lily Pool

  • Survey Number: HALS IL-15-A
  • Location: Chicago, Illinois
  • By Melanie Bishop and Meredith Stewart, The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Historic Preservation Program with Faculty Sponsor Charles Pipal, AIA

Honorable Mentions

Wilcox Park

  • Survey Number: HALS RI-1
  • Location: Westerly, Rhode Island
  • By Elena M. Pascarella, RLA, ASLA, with assistance from Richard Sheridan, RLA, ASLA, Professor of Landscape Architecture, University of Rhode Island; Alan Peck, Superintendent of Wilcox Park; and students from the University of Rhode Island Landscape Architecture Program: Brynn Armstrong, Brian Bieszard, Emily Condon, Benjamin Congdon, Romeo D’Andrea, Gabriella D’Angelis, Zack Driver, Pabel Fernandez, Olivia Fow, Casey Harrington, Kelvin Huang, Brian Males, Katie Meegan, Kyle Savistano, Joseph Tricarico, and Emma Winkler

Justin Smith Morrill Homestead

  • Location: Town of Strafford, Vermont
  • By Devin Colman, State Historic Preservation Office, Montpelier, Vermont

Brook Road Plaza

  • Location: Richmond, Virginia
  • By Liz Sargent, HLA, Charlottesville, Virginia

2015: Documenting Modernist Landscapes

1st Place

Sunset Headquarters

  • Survey Number: HALS CA-115
  • Location: Menlo Park, California
  • By Janet Gracyk, ASLA, Terra Cognita Design and Consulting; Chris Pattillo, FASLA, PGAdesign, Inc.; and Jill Johnson, Historic Preservation Services; with bonus measured drawings delineated by Sarah Raube, Janet Gracyk, Lorena Garcia Rodriguez, Genny Bantle, and Chris Pattillo

2nd Place

Marin General Hospital

  • Survey Number: HALS CA-118
  • Location: Greenbrae, California
  • By Denise Bradley, ASLA, with bonus measured drawings delineated by Janet Gracyk

3rd Place

Union Bank of California Plaza

  • Survey Number: HALS CA-119
  • Location: Los Angeles, California
  • By Hannah Dominick

Honorable Mentions

Six Moon Hill

  • Survey Number: HALS MA-3
  • Location: Lexington, Massachusetts
  • By Pamela Hartford and Marion Pressley, FASLA, Principal, Pressley Associates

Valley House Gallery and Sculpture Garden

  • Location: Dallas, Texas
  • By William Hartman, Assistant Professor, School of Architecture, Louisiana Tech University; and Patrick Boyd Lloyd, David Rolston Landscape Architects

2014: Documenting Landscapes of the New Deal

1st Place

Allegheny National Forest, CCC Camp ANF-1

  • Survey Number: HALS PA-25
  • Location: Duhring, Pennsylvania
  • By Ann E. Komara, ASLA, Associate Professor of Landscape Architecture; with assistance from Susan Martino, Jennifer L. Thomas, et al – MLA Students, College of Architecture and Planning, University of Colorado Denver

2nd Place

Mount Tamalpais State Park, The Mountain Theater

  • Survey Number: HALS CA-107
  • Location: Mill Valley, California
  • By Douglas Nelson, ASLA, Principal, RHAA Landscape Architects

3rd Place

Mount Greylock State Reservation

  • Survey Number: HALS MA-2
  • Location: Los Angeles, California
  • By Pamela Hartford, Jean Cavanaugh, Allison Crosbie, ASLA; and Marion Pressley, FASLA, Pressley Associates Landscape Architecture/Site Planning/Urban Design

Honorable Mentions: Arizona

Tucson Plant Materials Center

  • Survey Number: HALS AZ-11
  • Location: Tucson, Arizona
  • By Jennifer M. Levstik with University of Arizona student team – Cannon S. Daughtrey, Deryn Davidson, Megan Brooks, Megan Brooks, Cortney West, Jonathan Dugan, and Jeff Braun

Tumacácori National Historical Park

  • Survey Number: HALS AZ-12
  • Location: Tumacácori-Carmen, Arizona
  • By Helen Erickson with University of Arizona student team – Alexis Cardenas, Allison Dunn, Starr Herr-Cardillo, Steven Santillan, and Stephanie Stiscia

Phoenix Historic Homesteads

  • Survey Number: HALS AZ-13
  • Location: Phoenix, Arizona
  • By Aaron Allan, Jim Coffman, Caryn Logan Heaps, and Helen Erickson with Arizona State University student team – Erin Torchia, Christine Seime, Dallen Olsen, and Peter Price

Prescott Armory Historic District

  • Survey Number: HALS AZ-14
  • Location: Prescott, Arizona
  • By Allison Dunn and Gina Chorover

Colossal Cave Mountain Park

  • Survey Number: HALS AZ-15
  • Location: Vail, Arizona
  • By Gina Chorover with University of Arizona student team – Brianna Lehman, Rebecca Caroli, Cristina Urias Espinoza, Elondra Ome Eichenberger, and Ismat Ayman Abdulhamid

South Mountain Park, Entry Complex

  • Survey Number: HALS AZ-16
  • Location: Phoenix, Arizona
  • By Aaron Allan, Jim Coffman, Caryn Logan Heaps, and Gina Chorover with Arizona State University student team – Jasmine Ballard, Erin Torchia, Corinna Barber, and Jordan Buckley

Kinishba Ruins

  • Survey Number: HALS AZ-17
  • Location: Fort Apache vicinity, Arizona
  • By Helen Erickson with University of Arizona student team – Starr Herr-Cardillo and Barry Price Steinbrecher

Honorable Mentions: Florida

Fort Clinch State Park

  • Survey Number: HALS FL-8
  • Locaton: Fernandina Beach, Florida
  • By David Driapsa and G. Kevin White with drawing by G. Kevin White

Highlands Hammock State Park

  • Survey Number: HALS FL-10
  • Location: Sebring, Florida
  • By David Driapsa with large-format photography by William "Bill" Lutrick

Ravine Gardens State Park

  • Survey Number: HALS FL-11
  • Location: Palatka, Florida
  • By David Driapsa with drawing by Gary R. Crumley and large-format photography by William "Bill" Lutrick

Florida Caverns State Park

  • Survey Number: HALS FL-12
  • Location: Marianna, Florida
  • By David Driapsa with drawing by Kale Hicks

O'Leno State Park

  • Survey Number: HALS FL-13
  • Location: High Springs, Florida
  • By David Driapsa

Gold Head Branch State Park

  • Survey Number: HALS FL-14
  • Location: Keystone Heights, Florida
  • By David Driapsa

Hillsborough River State Park

  • Survey Number: HALS FL-15
  • Location: Thonotosassa, Florida
  • By David Driapsa

Myakka River State Park

  • Survey Number: HALS FL-16
  • Location: Sarasota, Florida
  • By David Driapsa

Torreya State Park

  • Survey Number: HALS FL-17
  • Location: Bristol, Florida
  • By David Driapsa

Honorable Mention: Louisiana

Gum Springs Recreation Area

  • Survey Number: HALS LA-9
  • Location: Winnfield, Louisiana
  • By Wiliam C. Hartman III

Honorable Mention: Ohio

Everett Forest Tree Nursery

  • Survey Number: HALS OH-6
  • Location: Peninsula, Ohio
  • By P. Jeffrey Knopp

Honorable Mentions: South Carolina

Poinsett State Park

  • Survey Number: HALS SC-3
  • Location: Wedgefield, South Carolina
  • By Clemson University/College of Charleston Team – Amber Anderson, Jacqueline Don, Taylor Johnston, and Sarah Sanders

Table Rock State Park

  • Survey Number: HALS SC-4
  • Location: Pickens, South Carolina
  • By Clemson University/College of Charleston Team – Claire Achtyl, Alison Dunleavy, Justin Schwebler, and Laura Lee Worrell

Edisto Beach State Park

  • Survey Number: HALS SC-5
  • Location: Edisto Island, South Carolina
  • By Clemson University/College of Charleston Team – Shannon Devlin and Lauren Hoopes

Lake Greenwood State Park

  • Survey Number: HALS SC-6
  • Location: Ninety Six, South Carolina
  • By Clemson University/College of Charleston Team – Katie Dykens, Frances Pinto, and Melanie Weston

2013: Documenting the Cultural Landscapes of Women

1st Place

Gaiety Hollow

  • Survey Number: HALS OR-5
  • Location: Salem, Oregon
  • By Laurie Matthews

2nd Place

The Arizona Inn

  • Survey Number: HALS AZ-9
  • Location: Tucson, Arizona
  • By Gina Chorover, Jennifer Levstik, and Helen Erickson, with University of Arizona Student Researchers: Jae Anderson, Crystal Cheek, and Ryan Sasso

3rd Place

Gypsy Camp for Girls

  • Survey Number: HALS AR-5
  • Location: Siloam Springs, Arkansas
  • By Benjamin Stinnett and Kimball Erdman

2012: Documenting the American Latino Landscape

1st Place

Mission San Francisco de Asís

  • Survey Number: HALS CA-83
  • Location: San Francisco, California
  • By Denise Bradley

2nd Place

El Tiradito

  • Survey Number: HALS AZ-8
  • Location: Tucson, Arizona
  • By Barry Price Steinbrecher

3rd Place

Exemplary communal effort of the HALS Northern California Chapter to document 16 of the California Missions

  • Surveys:
  • Multiple locations in California
  • By contributing members of the HALS Northern California Chapter: April Philips, Cate Bainton, Cathy Garrett, Chris Pattillo, Denise Bradley, Douglas Nelson, Elva Gomez, Holly Peterson, Janet Gracyk, Jill Johnson, Joseph Culberg-McClung, Kerri Liljegren, Larkin Owens, Libby Simon, Linda Van Fossen, Reed Dillingham, Robert Nicolais, Sarah Raube, and Theresa Brunner

2011: Celebrating Cultural Landscapes of Diversity

1st Place

Fairview Cemetery

  • Survey Number: HALS NM-6
  • Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico
  • By William A. Dodge and Sarah R. Payne, Van Citters: Historic Preservation LLC

2nd Place

Bush Stadium

  • Survey Number: HALS IN-6
  • Location: Indianapolis, Indiana
  • By Ball State University Students: Kyle J. Boot, Austin Blomeke, Ethan Coverstone, Benjamin Doane, Brian Grover, Eric James, and Ashley Williams; with Faculty: Christopher Baas, Assistant Professor of Landscape Architecture, and Geralyn M. Strecker, Assistant Professor of English

3rd Place (tie)

Rohwer Relocation Center Memorial Cemetery

  • Survey Number: HALS AR-4
  • Location: Rohwer, Arkansas
  • By Kimball Erdman, Assistant Professor of Landscape Architecture, University of Arkansas

Emancipation Park

  • Location: Houston, Texas
  • By Steph McDougal, McDoux Preservation LLC

2010: Revisiting Cultural Landscapes of Childhood

1st Place

Glen Echo Park

  • Survey Number: HALS MD-17
  • Location: Glen Echo, Maryland
  • By Virginia Tech team: Nicholas Colombo, Seth Estep, Luke Van Belleghem, and Professor Paul Kelsch

2nd Place

Enchanted Forest

  • Survey Number: HALS OR-4
  • Location: Turner, Oregon
  • By Cathleen Corlett and Jean Senechal Biggs

3rd Place

Sonoma TrainTown Railroad

  • Survey Number: HALS CA-61
  • Location: Sonoma, California
  • By Janet Gracyk

Last updated: October 9, 2024