PEORIA MAGAZINE June 2023

Opening the door to a Doug Hoerr—designed garden

S P O T L I G H T

FROM FARM BOY TO PROMINENT LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT Peoria-born Doug Hoerr has helped to launch something of a green revolution in America’s major cities

H e’s the man who brought nature to Chicago’s Michigan Avenue. He’s the guy who helped make the Magnificent Mile magnificent. He’s the one who looked at empty, desolate urban roofs and saw a place to add sport, leisure and beauty to an unused space. He's Doug Hoerr, senior partner at the renowned Hoerr Schaudt Landscape Architects of Chicago, and former landscape designer and builder at Peoria’s Hoerr Nursery. Born in Peoria 66 years ago, Hoerr's family moved on his first birthday to a farm in Millford, Indiana, where he grew up. After graduation from Purdue Uni versity with a degree in landscape Landscape architect Doug Hoerr

BY LINDA SMITH BROWN PHOTOS BY RON JOHNSON

46 JUNE 2023 PEORIA MAGAZINE