Project Summary
State Street Bank manages the Gardner Camp, a not-for-profit private foundation established by the late Jack Gardner II, as a recreational camp for youth in Adams and Pike Counties and the surrounding area to experience outdoor recreational, hunting, and educational activities.
Initially, Klingner was contracted to provide master planning services for a portion of this 336-acre property. Through programming meetings with the camp’s committee, the project evolved to include landscape design, wastewater design, and design for a lodge / meeting hall. Since much of the property lies in the floodplain, the lodge was strategically placed on the site and durable materials were used in the site and building design to protect the structure during flood events. A special Illinois EPA-permitted wastewater pod treatment system was also installed.
Insulated concrete forms were used to further flood-proof the structure and speed construction so that the camp could open in less than a year’s time. Campers now have access to a large meeting space that can be divided into two separate rooms for overnight stays, a kitchen, restrooms with showers, a gas fireplace with outdoor and indoor access, and an observation room overlooking the grounds.
