About Karen McGrath
The interaction of people and
the landscape has been the focus of my entire professional life. In college, I studied how people and the environment relate
to one another with courses in natural sciences, anthropology, and geography. To go beyond just academic knowledge, I
entered the design profession through graduate study in landscape architecture.
My work spans several states and at many different scales and environments. I have participated in resource
management and planning at federal parks and reservoirs, developed projects for grant-funded urban revitalization and neighborhood
rebuilding efforts, master planned a municipal park system, and created many unique residential gardens. I am especially interested
in having my landscapes, whether public or private, relate to their natural, historical, and architectural settings
so that there is a sense of place and a depth of character to each project.
WORK
Presently the owner of my own landscape design consulting firm in Redding,
CA, I look for an open, collaborative, and enthusiastic communication with property owners, engineers, contractors, and
architects. (I play well with others!) Recent public projects include the City of Redding's 2.5 acre Sculpture
Park at City Hall, and the revised concept plan for the Palo Cedro Park. I also developed the landscape plan for the
reconstruction of Judge Richard B. Eaton's home and garden in downtown Redding.
I am currently
focusing my work on the creation of custom gardens for both new and renovated homes, with an emphasis on the relationship
between interior and exterior spaces and the use of outdoor living spaces as rooms.
COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
In addition to my affiliation with the Association of Professional Landscape Designers (APLD), I spent several
years as a council member for the 12-acre McConnell Arboretum and Botanical Gardens at Turtle Bay Exploration Park, where
I contributed to the Gardens' design and opening in 2005.
In 2008, I was adjunct instructor of landscape design
at Shasta College's Environmental Horticulture Department. I continue to give talks and present design-related classes
to the public through the McConnell Arboretum's Saturday education programs and at local garden clubs. Please look
for my occasional postings online at A News Cafe dot com a northstate blog of news and opinion hosted
by Doni Chamberlain-Greenberg.
EDUCATION
In addition to my graduate work in landscape architecture, I hold a master's certificate
in applied project management, and am a graduate of the California Main Street training. My curiosity and interests
are varied, and I am always pursuing interesting tangents with continuing education classes, workshops, and trainings
in horticulture, design, and other related fields.
