Lessons from a ‘Once-in-a-Lifetime’ Hardscaping Project: Downtown Ecosystem in Springfield, Illinois
When Landon Kirby, owner of Knob Hill Landscape Company, first visited the site for what would become the Downtown Ecosystem, he knew this was a “once-in-a-lifetime project.”
Nestled in the heart of downtown Springfield, Illinois, the Downtown Ecosystem is a living, breathing example of what’s possible with sustainable landscaping and hardscaping. What began as a client’s need to replace a 50-year-old concrete fountain evolved into a full ecosystem designed to recreate nature’s filtration processes and support aquatic life without the use of chemicals.
Kirby said they originally pitched two concepts for the project – one within the existing fountain footprint and the second that captured this larger educational opportunity and unique landscape. The client felt the same passion as Kirby and went for option two.
Mimicking Mother Nature
“My very first time I went there for a site visit I immediately got the thought of this ecosystem and the ponds and the waterfalls because the terrain was kind of rolling. I just got to thinking that this is a great opportunity because ecosystems are very neat, how they work, being all naturally filtered and very unique if you know how the whole system works,” Kirby said.
“You’re mimicking Mother Nature and the natural ecosystem. You’re showing how the water can be cleared without chemicals, how the fish play a part. The aquatic plants play a part, the waterfalls with the oxygenation of the water for the fish, and it just kept hitting me – this is a great opportunity to teach people about this.”
The educational opportunities also fell in line with the client’s mission, as their company works with educators and teachers.
“This is the perfect opportunity and they really thought the same thing. They trusted our vision,” Kirby said.
Sustainable Transformation
Transforming this space into a fully functional ecosystem was no small task.
At the north end of the ecosystem, a wetland filter was carefully constructed to naturally cleanse the water as it flows through multiple layers of river rock. This method mimics marshy areas near rivers and lakes, ensuring water clarity and a thriving habitat. On the opposite end, an intake bay with pumps pre-filters the water before recirculating it through the system.
The design also features three waterfalls, not just for aesthetics but to enhance oxygenation and improve the environment for fish. Additional features like strategically placed woody materials support beneficial microorganisms, and fish play a crucial role in the ecosystem by feeding on algae and producing nutrients for plant life.
The project included 2,000 square feet of permeable pavers. The permeable paver patio joints between the pavers were filled with granite chips, allowing the rainwater to penetrate the pavers. This prevents any storm water runoff from entering the ecosystem and possibly contaminating the water source.
And to top it off, Kirby’s team of eight built this space over 101 days in the heart of an Illinois winter.
“In Illinois, the winters are pretty sketchy. We do get snow. We do freeze. We actually started that project the first week of November and we finished the last week of April. We were really worried at first, but it was the only project we were working on in the winter, so it allowed every employee to be focused on it,” Kirby said.
“…It was a once-in-a-lifetime project and I recognized it. All our employees recognized it. We all treated it like that. We didn’t cut any corners. We just tried to make it the best we absolutely could.”
The effort paid off. The project won a National Association of Landscape Professions “Gold” Award of Excellence in 2023 and at the 2024 Hardscape North America awards, it won the Combination of Hardscape Products – Commercial category.
“We’re from a relatively small market and we are still a relatively small company. To be recognized on that level is very special. It puts things in perspective and takes away a lot of all those stresses and things that you worry about so much,” Kirby said. “Our employees love it. It means the world to me for them to be recognized for their skills.”
Always Evolving
For aspiring hardscapers who want to one day be part of their own award-winning projects, Kirby advises that every project should be a learning opportunity.
“Always know that you can be better than you were yesterday,” Kirby said. “We won a national award, but we also still understand that we could have done something better. There’s a long list of things that we would improve from this project after having done it. Learn from every project and just have that mindset of continuously wanting to get better.”
Kirby’s favorite part of the Downtown Ecosystem project is the way it changes over time. He has been working with the client to lead tours and field trips for students to share and educate about the ecosystem and he said that he discovers something new on every visit.
“That’s one of the things with ecosystems, they’re always evolving because they are living and growing and changing,” Kirby said.
“Every time I go there, I notice something different that’s changed or a new plant that’s popped up and growing out of the boulders all of a sudden. Some of those seeds could have been on those boulders for hundreds of years, and now, all of a sudden, it’s the right conditions and now they’re sprouting grass out of the boulders. It’s amazing.”
The original request was for a fountain repair, but Knob Hill Landscaping saw an opportunity to create something much bigger. The Downtown Ecosystem isn’t just an award-winning project—it’s a new benchmark for what’s possible in urban landscapes.
