ELLICOTT CITY, MD - The Ellicott City Watershed Master Plan was awarded the ‘Traveling Award of Innovative Excellence’ from the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA), Maryland Chapter. The Master Plan is a comprehensive, long-range document that creates a community-driven vision for historic Ellicott City and the Tiber Branch Watershed. The plan represents the culmination of a multi-year public outreach process and builds upon County Executive Ball’s Ellicott City Safe and Sound flood mitigation plan.
Creating a robust, engaging plan for the future of historic Ellicott City is essential to our community. It’s wonderful to see the hard work put into the Ellicott City Watershed Master Plan recognized again for innovative ideas and design.
ASLA’s Traveling Award is a “prestigious award for a project that uniquely reflects and solves the most current issues in landscape architecture through innovative design excellence.” The award is accompanied by a metallic sculpture of a Pink Flamingo, which travels each year to the next recipient.
Mahan Rykiel Associates, consultant to the County’s Department of Planning and Zoning, was the official recipient of the award. Mahan Rykiel led a team of subconsultants who offered expertise on a range of conditions—from creative flood mitigation, managing parking resources effectively to sensitivity to the community’s historic character.
We are incredibly proud of this recognition. The Plan represents a comprehensive vision for old Ellicott City, reflective of forward-thinking stormwater management techniques and thoughtful preservation of the neighborhood’s rich historic resources. We appreciate not only the contributions of our talented team but also those of Howard County and their Flood Mitigation consultants. This master plan represents a true collaboration.
ASLA is the professional association for landscape architects in the United States. The Maryland Chapter represents over 335 members. The Society’s mission is to “advance landscape architecture through advocacy, communication, education, and fellowship.”
“This plan, and the ASLA award, would not have been possible without the community’s collaboration,” said Department of Planning and Zoning Director Amy Gowan. “We greatly appreciate the considerable time business owners and residents spent working on creative ideas to enhance and protect Ellicott City.”
The ASLA award is the second honor the Master Plan has earned. The Department of Planning and Zoning also received a “Best in Category” in Planning for the Master Plan from the National Association of Counties in July 2021.