Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Air Force One Pavilion

Client: Peck/Jones

Location: Simi Valley, California

Landscape Architect: SWA Group

One for the Gipper. With sweeping views of Southern California, the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library is the largest of the 12 federally operated presidential libraries. Our job here was a complete ground-up installation of landscaping. This included planting grand oak trees along the entry slope, which was no ordinary task; the oaks were planted in solid rock pits with drain systems to provide percolation. The library grounds feature trees, shrubbery, groundcover, flowers and lawns. One area inspires a sense of déjà vu, as it recreates a portion of the White House lawn.

In 2005, we returned to install landscaping for the newly added 90,000-square-foot Air Force One Pavilion (which includes its namesake -- the actual Air Force One that Ronald Reagan and six other presidents traveled in). The hilltop setting inspires a sense of history and patriotism. It also inspires a sense of peace; an appropriate final resting place for Ronald Reagan.