How Green Landscaping shapes Guest Experience, Brand Extension, and Climate Resilience

Wednesday's IAAPA Expo Europe EDUSession, titled " How Green Landscaping shapes Guest Experience, Brand Extension, and Climate Resilience," was presented by Cale Heit, president & CEO of Forrec; Carl Vergauwe, director gardening and landscaping at Studio Plopsa NV; and Pieter van den Berk, managing director of Boomkwekerij Gebr. The EDUSession was moderated by Bart Dohmen, TDAC BV partner.

Collaboration between storytelling and landscaping

“Some people think landscaping is an afterthought. In fact, it's integral to what we design, and collaboration is key to this,” says Heit about Pandora – The World of Avatar at Walt Disney World’s Animal Kingdom. 

Another example of the collaboration of storytelling and landscaping is an older, tree trunk-themed attraction that was redesigned at Plopsaland De Panne. Vergauwe shares that the decision was made to retain 20- to 30-year-old trees in the retheme because the prehistoric dinosaur theme blended well with them. “And the choosing of the plants was also really typical to create the world of the atmosphere the dinosaurs lived in, the 60 million years ago,” says Vergauwe, in addition to sharing the added benefit to guests in the shade these older trees provide. “And of course, at that point, that moment, it's really important that when they walk through nature that they feel comfortable with the shade they have.”

Plopsaland De Panne’s K3 Roller Skater roller coaster is yet another example that highlights the importance of collaboration between landscaping and storytelling, shares Vergauwe while speaking of the colorful intellectual property that the attraction is themed to. He says, “The Cadre girls’ band is really known for the rainbow colors and as you can see, around the queue lines, but also when you go up in in the attraction itself in the roller coaster, you can see the colors everywhere.”

Using landscaping as a screen or barrier

“The guest likes green, especially. It's more and more, you know, with the realization of nature, and sustainability that green is important,” says Dohmen. 

Heit adds that landscaping helps keeps guests immersed in an environment when utilitarian parts of an attraction are present. “Areas where there's a parking garage that you can see from afar or back of house mechanical rooms and stuff, you need to screen those views,” says Heit.

Vegetation barriers are also useful in blocking polluting light, or elements in the outside world that work against the attraction’s storytelling, such as houses, apartments, or other buildings. 

Landscaping for resilience or regeneration

Incorporating native and domestic plants into landscape design is crucial for enhancing biodiversity and fostering resilient ecosystems. “We need to think about how to implement native plants and domestic plants into our design,” says Vergauwe. He goes on to say “It's really important towards biodiversity and also biological life that enhances the network between plants and how they grow together.

Vergauwe also explains the importance of selecting plants that will grow best in the correct environment, citingthe Carpinus betulus tree as an example. Itgrows well, but if placed in a coastal area, it will lose its leaves due to high winds. The vitality of trees is paramount, often surpassing size in importance. Transplanting large trees enhance guest experiences. In northern climates, flexible designs that offer both sun and shade improve comfort, reducing reliance on HVAC systems. Trees naturally mitigate heat, providing significant cooling effects and contributing to environmental sustainability and guest satisfaction.

Not every plant grows well everywhere. “Even if it's native, you still have to look at the local circumstances,” says van den Berk, further explaining that diversity is a successful approach to landscaping. “I think especially also with regard to climate change when there's new pests and diseases coming in, then if you broaden your assortment in your projects, the less impact these things can have,” concludes van den Berk. Above all, it also looks very nice.”

Integrating sustainable design in parking lots addresses climate challenges by using permeable paving and bioswales to manage stormwater and pollutants. Trees stabilize soil, mitigating flood impacts. At Legoland Germany, Heit shares, grass parking spaces enhance water absorption. Landscapes should absorb, recover, and adapt, transforming stormwater detention areas into aesthetically pleasing features. This approach not only enhances functionality but also prepares for increasingly severe weather, aligning with future-focused environmental strategies.