Bruce Dees & Associates of Tacoma is holding steady with eight full time staff members.

“We are committed to staying small,” said principal Bruce Dees. “Even with an excellent staff, balancing work and family time is a challenge. Technology has allowed us to greatly increase efficiency.”

The firm continues to specialize in park design, with emphasis on athletic facilities, waterfront parks, recreation trails and campus design. Bruce Dees also done commercial projects for the Boeing Co.

Gross fees were $1.2 million last year, and an increase is expected this year. Recent projects include: Avondale Park in Redmond; Dickman Mill Park in Tacoma; Roesler Timber Site Park in Snohomish County; Thurston County Athletic Complex; Fisher Creek Park in Snoqualmie; South Hill Athletic Complex in Puyallup and Chestnut Ridge Park in Kent. The firm also worked on the new practice facility at the University of Washington with Carlson Architects and the Pierce County Environmental Services Building with Miller|Hull Architects. Two past projects received national design awards this year.

Integrating wetlands with site grading, drainage design and park features continues to be an important part of the practice. Regulatory requirements present interesting challenges, according to Dees, especially when they conflict with each other. “The latest research and technology not withstanding, we believe communication and common sense still lead to the best solutions,” he said.

With park land becoming more scarce and expensive, recent developments in artificial turf allow multiple uses and year-round use of limited athletic field space. The high cost is still a deterrent for most communities, but artificial turf is proving to be very advantageous, and the firm sees demand increasing.

In anticipation of the drought this year many planting projects will be delayed and valuable plant material will likely be lost, said Dees. “Because of the drought a few years ago, we include watering sleeves in all tree pits in the event hand watering is the only allowable means.”