For more than 40 years, Environmental Design Group (EDG) has been a trusted partner in shaping outdoor spaces across Ohio and beyond—bringing together civil engineering, landscape architecture, and master planning to support parks, campgrounds, and recreation destinations. Founded in 1984 in Akron, Ohio, EDG has grown from a community-focused firm into a multidisciplinary team with expanding regional and national recognition. By blending technical expertise with thoughtful placemaking, EDG helps clients develop outdoor environments that are both highly functional and deeply engaging for the guests and communities they serve.
Rooted in an “outside-focused” mission, EDG is inspired by the belief that well-designed outdoor places create lasting opportunities for connection, relaxation, and recreation. From enhancing beach amenities and trail systems to improving pedestrian access and safety, their team approaches each project with a commitment to creating destinations that feel welcoming, resilient, and future-ready—supporting the continued growth of outdoor hospitality for years to come.
Key Highlights
- Looking ahead: Charles Mill Lake Park Beach Campground & Amenities opening Summer 2026
- Founded: 1984 (Akron, Ohio)
- Core services: Civil engineering, landscape architecture, and master planning
- Multidisciplinary approach: Creative vision + practical execution in one team
- Outdoor hospitality focus: Parks, campgrounds, and recreation-driven destinations
- Standout experience: Multi-park beach amenity redevelopment with MWCD (Ohio)
Q&A with Stefanie Smith, Technical Director, and Jeremy Ousley, Associate Director of Site Development, at Environmental Design Group
Background
Tell us a bit about your company’s history:
Environmental Design Group was formed in 1984 in Akron, Ohio to serve our local community, the State of Ohio and recently have gained regional/national recognition in recent years. Over the years we have developed multiple civil engineering/landscape architectural disciplines including Site Development, Master Planning, Transportation, Environmental, Surveying, and Construction Administration.
What inspired you to work in outdoor hospitality?
The outdoors is in the fiber of what EDG does. We are an “outside-focused” organization that serves the public outside. Whether it’s pedestrian access to a new indoor facility, pedestrian traffic safety, or enhancing the environment through a wetland or stream restoration project, we are focused on outdoor hospitality through the very nature of what we do. It is then, only natural that we would formally work in Outdoor Hospitality, as we provide the public with outdoor destinations to relax and recreate.
Services and Expertise
What services do you offer, and what sets your approach apart?
We offer engineering, landscape architecture, and master planning design services. What sets us apart is the blending of our skills and abilities. Planners may not have an eye for the practical/technical aspects of what they are planning, and engineers often do not have an eye for creative placemaking. We have engineers who can think with a creative eye, and planners who can think practically, which is a valuable combination that can result in creative ideas that work.
How do you address current trends in the industry?
We have found that attendance at conferences are very helpful and important for tracking current trends. The privilege of having face to face conversations with others in the outdoor hospitality industry and hear their perspectives in person is invaluable. We also track trends on a grass-roots level through our clients and industry partners.
Projects and Achievements
What’s a standout project your team has worked on?
We have worked extensively with the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District, which is a conservancy district in the State of Ohio which operates several parks and campgrounds. We worked with MWCD to redevelop their beach amenities. This multi-park effort included design and development of new sports courts, splashpads, shade structures, picnic areas, restroom & concession structures, and pedestrian walking trails. These projects will provide an updated and enhanced recreation experience for MWCD and their guests for years to come.
What outcomes do your clients achieve with your help?
By using our services, our clients are able to expand and build their facilities that meet the current trends and regulations for the outdoor hospitality industry. Our designs are thoughtful and customized to our clients needs, reflecting our decade of experience with outdoor hospitality design.
Looking Ahead
What exciting projects are on the horizon?
The Charles Mill Lake Park Beach Campground and Amenities is scheduled to open in the Summer of 2026. This new development at Charles Mill Lake Park includes a large beach amenity area that includes a destination playground, sports courts, picnic and food truck areas, and 30 new campsites.
How do you see your role in shaping the future of outdoor hospitality?
We will continue to track current trends in the industry and provide a high level of client service and design services. Through our services, we hope that many facilities in the outdoor hospitality industry will establish themselves for success for many years.