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Dunaway is proud to announce that four of our landscape architecture and planning projects have received 2026 Merit Awards from the Texas Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects (Texas ASLA). These prestigious awards recognize outstanding achievements in landscape architecture, park design, community planning, public engagement, and placemaking across Texas.

The award-winning projects span communities throughout the state, including San Antonio, Little Elm, Midland, and Whitesboro, and showcase Dunaway’s commitment to creating parks, public spaces, mixed-use developments, and planning initiatives that enhance quality of life, strengthen community connections, and support long-term growth.

We are grateful to our clients, partners, and team members whose collaboration made these projects possible. From award-winning park design and community engagement to innovative comprehensive planning and mixed-use development, these recognitions reflect the power of thoughtful design to create meaningful places for people.

Explore the four Texas ASLA award-winning projects below and learn how Dunaway’s landscape architects, planners, and design professionals are helping shape vibrant communities across Texas.

Berkley V. and Vincent M. Dawson Park | San Antonio, Texas

2026 Merit Award – Texas Chapter of American Society of Landscape Architects

Perched on a 1.7‑acre site east of downtown San Antonio, Berkley V. and Vincent M. Dawson Park transforms a once-underutilized property into a vibrant community destination framed by iconic views of the Hays Street Bridge. This award-winning park design project showcases how thoughtful landscape architecture can create meaningful public spaces that connect communities to their history and environment. Acquired by the City of San Antonio in response to local advocacy, the park preserves this historic sightline while creating new opportunities for recreation, storytelling, and connection.

Dunaway led the park design, landscape architecture, and community engagement process, with public input shaping the park’s character and amenities. As Tara Lindberg, PLA, ASLA, LEED AP, Senior Project Manager and Associate Principal, notes, “we’re here to design, we’re here to facilitate. But getting feedback from the community, and being able to translate all the inspiration that they have into a space they can really enjoy, is key. I think that’s something that we have to take with us with every design we do in the future, especially when there’s such a big public portion of it.”

Key features include a timeline walk, pavilion, architecture-inspired playground, and two skate parks for varied skill levels. Dunaway also delivered civil engineering solutions to support long-term performance. Hear more from Tara about how community input shaped this space.

“

We’re here to design, we’re here to facilitate. But getting feedback from the community, and being able to translate all the inspiration that they have into a space they can really enjoy, is key. I think that’s something that we have to take with us with every design we do in the future, especially when there’s such a big public portion of it.

”
Tara Lindberg, PLA, ASLA, LEED AP, Senior Project Manager | Associate Principal

Cottonwood Park | Town of Little Elm, Texas

2026 Merit Award – Texas Chapter of American Society of Landscape Architects

With more than two miles of shoreline along Lewisville Lake, Cottonwood Park is set to become a signature destination in Little Elm’s growing park system. Dunaway is partnering with the Town to develop a park master plan for the 162‑acre wooded site, balancing recreation, conservation, and long-term economic opportunity.

Phase 1 of the Cottonwood Park redevelopment and municipal park improvement project was completed in August 2024. Phase 1 includes a shoreline playground, pavilions, day-use picnic shelters, and trail connections, as well as a working lighthouse, which is visible from Lewisville Lake, a nod to Little Elm’s logo.

As Adam Brewster, PLA, ASLA, Senior Landscape Architect and Associate Principal, explains, “the piece that I enjoy the most is probably the custom playground that we developed, including sailboats and nautical features. They blend well with the natural environment, the shoreline, and the fun, playful elements of the playground.”  While Phase 1 is finished, future phases of the master plan will also add event spaces, camping, and expanded recreation. Hear more from Adam about the inspiration behind this space.

“

The piece that I enjoy the most is probably the custom playground that we developed, including sailboats and nautical features. They blend well with the natural environment, the shoreline, and the fun, playful elements of the playground.

”
Adam Brewster, PLA, ASLA, Senior Landscape Architect and Associate Principal

Summit Center | Midland, Texas

2026 Merit Award – Texas Chapter of American Society of Landscape Architects

Summit Center is a premier mixed‑use development reimagining how workplaces, amenities, and open space come together in the heart of Midland. Anchored by a four‑acre destination park and surrounded by office, retail, and dining uses, the seven‑building campus – home to Summit Petroleum’s headquarters – was master planned and designed by Dunaway in close collaboration with Rhotenberry Wellen Architects and Cosee Home.

The design prioritizes people-first planning, placing parking at the perimeter and orienting all buildings toward a central green, demonstrating how landscape architecture and site planning can foster community interaction and walkability. This shared landscape serves as the social heart of the development, featuring a natural play area, elevated overlook, event lawn, firepit grove, and a centrally located snack shack and restroom facility – encouraging daily use and community gathering.

Dunaway’s role extended from early visioning through ribbon cutting, providing consistent construction-phase support to ensure design intent remained intact.

Whitesboro Comprehensive Plan - Guide and Podcast | Whitesboro, Texas

2026 Merit Award – Texas Chapter of American Society of Landscape Architects

The Whitesboro Comprehensive Plan is a community-driven roadmap for guiding growth while preserving the city’s small-town character and quality of life through strategic comprehensive planning, land use guidance, and infrastructure planning. The plan was shaped through an innovative community engagement and public outreach process that included workshops, surveys, and the GuideWhitesboro Podcast.Most importantly, the plan empowered residents to meaningfully influence policies for land use, transportation, as well as infrastructure, and community character.

The podcast, created by Dunaway in partnership with CivicBrand, earned a Merit Award for Communications from the Texas Chapter of ASLA, recognizing its clear, accessible approach to planning education and outreach. Listen to the podcast episode for yourself here.

How can we serve you?

We are honored to see these spaces recognized by the Texas Chapter of American Society of Landscape Architects and to have played a significant role in these fantastic projects. We recognize the importance of experiencing nature and are proud to bring long-term value to the communities we serve. Please reach out to one of our design professionals below and let us know how we can make a difference in a community near you.