July is Park and Recreation Month, and WithersRavenel is celebrating! Each week, we’re profiling one of our team members whose work includes parks and recreation projects.
Today, meet Landscape Designer Zeke Wilkinson. Zeke is new to WithersRavenel, starting his job earlier this year. His professional experience includes all phases of projects, from project scoping through design and project completion/closeout. Zeke has an A.A.S. degree in Landscape Architecture from Wake Tech and is finishing up a B.S. in Landscape Architecture from North Carolina A&T University.
WithersRavenel: What sparked your interest in parks and recreation and landscape architecture?
Zeke Wilkinson: Growing up I was into all sorts of stuff, the outdoors, drawing, music, sports, history, architecture, on and on. Being interested in so many things serves me well, but also created challenges trying to find a specific career path. Discovering landscape architecture gave me an opportunity to pull from all these different aspects of life and apply them to the design process, making the profession exciting and attractive.
WR: What aspect of your job at WithersRavenel do you like the most?
ZW: I enjoy the creative freedom I’m given to explore concepts to push the envelope of what’s possible when designing. Our team does a great job of collaborating and critiquing each other’s work to strengthen our work. Also, working on projects like public parks creates an opportunity to enhance the quality of life for the community that uses them and gives me a great deal of satisfaction.
WR: Tell us about a WR parks project that you’ve enjoyed working on and why.
ZW: Working on the High Point Library entry plaza and sensory garden has been an exciting project. Understanding how these spaces can best serve the community and enhance the library experience has been an insightful process.
Do you want to put WithersRavenel’s dedicated Parks and Recreation Studio and Landscape Architecture team members to work for you? Contact Zeke Wilkinson at (919) 535-5214 or zwilkinson@withersravenel.com or Parks and Recreation Director Brian Starkey, PLA, ASLA, at (919) 238-0305 or bstarkey@withersravenel.com.