How Olmsted Landscapes Shape and Sustain Community Identity Over Time
This program explores how landscapes shaped by the legacy and principles of Frederick Law Olmsted continue to define and express community identity—and how they are evolving to meet changing social, environmental, and institutional needs.
Across campuses, parks, and regional landscapes, the conversation brings together design, stewardship, and community perspectives to examine how core Olmsted ideals—such as public access, social connection, and the restorative power of nature—shape lived experience today, and how these places can remain meaningful, inclusive, and resilient while continuing to reflect their historic design intent.
Speakers include Ian Scherling, Sasaki (moderator); Dr. Aretha Fuqua, West Louisville Tennis Club; Erinn McGurn, Smith College; Dr. fari nzinga, Olmsted Parks Conservancy; and David Price, Bok Tower Gardens.
Registration is free, though you may choose to make a small donation in support of our programming. By registering, you consent to receive emails from us.
We are committed to making this webinar accessible to everyone. Live captions will be provided via Zoom transcription. If you have specific accessibility needs or require accommodations, please let us know when you register.
SPEAKERS:
Ian Scherling, ASLA (Moderator)
Associate Principal, Sasaki
Ian is a landscape architect and design leader whose award-winning work spans planning through built projects at colleges and universities across the country. He seeks collaborations with stakeholders who value historic landscapes, particularly places shaped by the Olmsted firm. That has led him to work with such institutions as Smith College, Swarthmore College, U.S. Capitol, UC Berkeley, Duke, and many others. His work seeks to understand Olmsted’s design principles and adapt them to contemporary needs, emphasizing inclusivity, empathy, and accessibility. His projects and research have been recognized by ASLA, BSLA, and SCUP. Ian serves on the Board of Directors of the Friends of Fairsted and holds an MLA from Kansas State University.
Dr. Aretha Fuqua
President, West Louisville Tennis Club
Dr. Aretha Fuqua is the President of the West Louisville Tennis Club, leading the transformation of a 102-year organization based in Chickasaw Park. She views herself as a life-long learner, having earned an advanced degree in Education Leadership. Dr. Fuqua is a compassionate leader and team player, whose educational journey helped her to realize that her true passion is Community Outreach and the creation of programs that create positive developmental outcomes for at-risk youth. She has over 30 years of experience within multiple business sectors, and works to build mutually beneficial relationships in underserved, disinvested and inequitable communities, especially around West Louisville, KY, her community of interest.
Erinn McGurn
Associate Vice President for Sustainable Capital Programs, Smith College
Erinn McGurn is a registered architect with over 25 years of experience in strategy, design, construction, and project management of large-scale public and private infrastructure projects in the U.S. and internationally. As part of her portfolio, she leads the implementation of Smith’s recently completed Campus Use Plan and Landscape Master Plan, stewarding the college’s historic Frederick Law Olmsted–designed campus. From 2017–2020, she worked with MASS Design Group on projects including the Rwanda Institute for Conservation Agriculture (RICA), a university campus in rural Rwanda designed to advance food security, climate-resilient agriculture, and conservation. She holds a B.A. from Smith College and a Master of Architecture from the University of Texas at Austin.
Dr. fari nzinga
Project Ambassador, Olmsted Parks Conservancy
Dr. fari nzinga serves as a Project Ambassador at the Olmsted Parks Conservancy in Louisville, KY, where she brings a dedication to scholarship, community building, and servant-leadership. Most recently, Dr. nzinga served as Curator of African and Native American Collections at the Speed Art Museum, where she led the Louisville’s Black Avant-Garde initiative, researching, publishing, and celebrating the important art historical legacies of Black artists active in the West End. Additionally, she initiated compliance with NAGPRA (Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act), facilitating on-site consultations with official representatives of three Federally-recognized Tribes, and organized a reinstallation of the museum’s Native American art collection. She has also served as a Visiting Professor at Bard Early College New Orleans, Kalamazoo College, and Berea College.
David Price
President, Bok Tower Gardens
David Price serves as President of Bok Tower Gardens, a National Historic Landmark, where he has dedicated 39 years of service. He began his tenure as Director of Horticulture and has led the organization as President for the past 19 years. Throughout his career, David has focused on historic preservation, conservation, landscape design, sustainability, and enhancing the quality and relevance of the visitor experience. A key priority during his leadership has been land preservation surrounding the Gardens to protect its historic vistas and vital wildlife corridors. Under his guidance, an additional 635 acres have been incorporated into the Gardens’ holdings.