April Was World Landscape Architecture Month
Last month was all about celebrating the power of landscape architecture! Our multi-disciplinary team of landscape architects, urban designers, biologists, engagement specialists and problem solvers work together to shape the vision of our cities.
We’ve highlighted four different projects focusing on issues and design opportunities ranging from climate resiliency to bike trails. These projects showcase SMM’s core values of embracing local context and regional character to create socially dynamic and ecologically responsive places and communities. Take a tour through these projects and how we celebrated World Landscape Architecture Month 2025 below.
Bridging Histories Through Design – The Historic Rail Bridge at The Forks | Winnipeg, MB
Designing with heritage means more than preserving the past — it means weaving stories into the present and future. The transformation of the Historic Rail Bridge into a pedestrian link between The Forks and Niizhoziibean is a powerful act of remembrance and renewal. This project not only reimagines infrastructure but also honors Indigenous history and cultural continuity. Central to this effort was the collaboration with Indigenous artists and scholars, culminating in a striking sculpture: a metal grid tracing the river’s path, etched with images that speak across generations. This bridge now stands as a living monument—connecting people, places, and stories.
Ecological and Riverbank Restoration – Wellington Crescent Realignment | Winnipeg, MB
Restoring nature while protecting the city was the vision for this work. We partnered with KGS Group to redesign Wellington Crescent— one of Winnipeg’s most iconic riverfront corridors. This multi-disciplinary effort began with a strong engagement strategy that prioritized communication within the community, stabilized an eroding riverbank, restored the riparian ecosystem and introduced a new multi-use path with rest stops and scenic views for all to enjoy. The result? A resilient, accessible and ecologically rich space that protects vital infrastructure and connects people to the river once again.
This project was recognized by an Award of Excellence from ACEC-MB.
People-First Streetscape Design – Banff Avenue | Banff, AB
Every summer Banff Avenue transforms into a lively pedestrian zone — no cars, just people, patios and stunning mountain views. We partnered with the Town of Banff to take this seasonal experience to the next level with a vision of a more permanent, people-first streetscape. The concept design integrated dynamic paving, adaptable furniture and native planting to calm traffic, define activity zones and perfectly frame the vista views of the Cascade Mountains and Banff’s iconic historic architecture.
Adaptive Reuse of a Brown Field Site – Bison Butte Mountain Bike Course | Winnipeg, MB
Sporting events bring communities together – and the Canada Summer Games are no exception. Built on top of a former landfill, we worked with the organizing committee to design and supervise the construction of the Bison Butte Mountain Bike Course. This national-level trail system blends technical challenges with flowy fun, featuring berms, rollers, jumps and The Horn, a signature rock feature with multiple skill-level routes. It’s proof that with smart design, even the most unexpected sites can become epic community assets for generations to come.
See more of these projects - Portfolio | Scatliff + Miller + Murray
