Susan Crook

2025 Landscape Architect Industry Expert

Projects:

• Orson B. Adams Farmstead

• Salt Lake City Cemetery 

• Fillmore Cemetery 

• Fort Douglas, Stilwell Field 

• Union Stock Yard 

• Washington Fields Erosion Control Complex 

• Porter Farm Historic Landscape Renovation

• Pioneer Park Cultural Landscape Report

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Susan Crook began her career in 1989 after graduating from Utah State University with a Master of Landscape Architecture (M.L.A.) in Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning. Over her career, Susan has become a local and national leader in historic landscape architecture. In 2008, she co-founded Io Landscape Architecture and continues to consult with the firm on significant historic preservation projects. In addition to her landscape architecture work, Susan has served as the field representative for the Utah Heritage Foundation in central and southern Utah and as Interim Director of the Traditional Building Skills Institute (TBSI) and the Mormon Pioneer Heritage Institute at Snow College.

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Susan’s leadership extended to her role as a Preservation Action (PA) board member, the only nationwide grassroots 501(c)4 nonprofit advocating for historic preservation. Susan has also served as the HALS Liaison for ASLA Utah, the HALS Liaison Coordinator for ASLA, and the Historic Interest Professional Interest Group (ASLA Utah) chair. Now retired, she remains deeply engaged in historic preservation, currently serving as the Land Program Manager and SUNCLF Director for Conserve Southwest Utah, a nonprofit focused on indigenous and natural landscape preservation. She also sits on the Executive Residence Commission, which stewards the historic Kearns Mansion/Utah Governor’s Mansion. This spring, Susan will present at the ASLA Utah conference in St. George on a Strong Towns Approach to Desert Livability, combining her passion for landscape architecture with her commitment to livable communities.

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As a pioneer in historic landscape architecture and a trailblazer for women in the field, Susan’s expertise has significantly advanced the practice. She has broadened perspectives and raised awareness about the importance of historic landscape architecture, creating momentum for the practice within Utah and beyond. Susan has been a consistent force for change in a profession that historically overlooked the significance of historic landscapes.

Susan has worked on many landmark landscape preservation projects, including several nominations for the Historic American Landscape Surveys (HALS) and National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). As the HALS liaison for Utah for several years, she has been involved in six out of the seven HALS in the state. Her work has emphasized the importance of integrating historical context with contemporary design, ensuring that the integrity of historic sites is maintained while making them relevant and functional in modern contexts. Susan’s certifications as a Landscape Architect, Certified Arborist, and in Preservation Leadership Training from the National Trust for Historic Preservation reflect her specialized knowledge and commitment to the field. 2004-05, she was honored with an Outstanding Service Award from the ASLA Professional Interest Group.

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Susan’s work has spanned numerous historic landscape architecture projects in the public and private sectors. Notable initiatives include:

• Orson B. Adams Farmstead, HALS UT-1, Harrisburg, Utah: Susan led the first HALS in Utah as the project manager, working with the BLM St. George Field Office to document the site.

• Salt Lake City Cemetery HALS UT-2: This project, funded by the Utah Humanities Council, involved documenting and planning one of Utah’s most significant cemeteries.

• Fillmore Cemetery HALS UT-3 and NRHP, Fillmore, Utah: Susan and Io LandArch prepared the National Register of Historic Places nomination and HALS for this cemetery, notable for its association with Utah history, local stone carvers, and the adaptation of cemetery design trends in Zion-based Mormon villages.

• Fort Douglas, Stilwell Field HALS UT-4 & SEC 106 Report, Salt Lake City, Utah: This project, in collaboration with the University of Utah, studied the feasibility of modifying Stilwell Field for soccer use, ultimately preserving the parade ground’s historic integrity.

• Union Stock Yard HALS UT-5, Ogden, Utah: Documentation and preservation planning laid the foundation for sensitive development at this historic stockyard.

• Washington Fields Erosion Control Complex HALS UT-7: Io LandArch documented historic CCC-era erosion control features before demolishing them, completing the HALS documentation, including drawings, historical research, and large-format photography.

• Porter Farm Historic Landscape Renovation, Centerville, Utah: This renovation earned a Preservation Utah Heritage Award and demonstrated Susan’s ability to blend preservation with contemporary utility.

• Pioneer Park Cultural Landscape Report, Salt Lake City, Utah: This report guides future improvements while preserving the park’s historically significant features.

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hroughout her career, Susan has faced numerous challenges. She has advocated for the importance of historic landscape architecture, addressing the technical challenges of aging materials, and working within financial constraints and regulatory environments. As a passionate champion for historic landscape architecture, she believes it is vital to understand and conserve a place's environmental and cultural narratives. Preserving historic landscapes, she argues, fosters a deeper connection between communities and their environment while promoting sustainable practices.

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Susan’s work reflects a strategic approach that combines rigorous historical research, innovative use of materials, and stakeholder engagement to achieve successful preservation outcomes. Her expertise is evident in her work on numerous significant historic sites across Utah, demonstrating her ability to adapt her knowledge to challenging settings. As a result of her efforts, the communities she has worked with have benefited from increased awareness of their shared history, educational opportunities, and improved cultural tourism.

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Susan Crook’s legacy in historic preservation is profound. Her contributions to preserving Utah’s historic landscapes, including cemeteries, residential areas, and city landmarks, continue to inspire. She has significantly advanced the field of landscape architecture, and her work remains a lasting influence in Utah and beyond.