Melinda’s interest in environmental studies and design led her to find landscape architecture. She feels landscape architecture has the greatest potential to improve urban environments where there is a higher density of people and a greater need for public amenities. Landscape architecture creates and enhances those public pockets, be it creating safer streets for all users, or activating plazas and improving neighborhood parks. As someone who runs and bikes for recreation, she knows how important safer bike lanes and trail networks are. She also has a strong interest in projects related to food systems, mental health, and marginalized communities. Engaging community members in the design process is crucial to creating spaces that work well, and Melinda always looks forward to opportunities to hear from the people she’s designing for. When she’s not in the office, she is probably running in her neighborhood, or thinking about the next time she’ll go trail running in the redwoods.
