The Paseo de Flores is a linear garden at the Dallas Arboretum. The garden was conceived, from a planning standpoint, as the main pedestrian spine of the 66 acre Arboretum (1). The Paseo de Flores links existing and future gardens and connects the Main Public Entrance to the various points of interest of the site (2). The program needed to accommodate pedestrian circulation, service and maintenance circulation, seating areas, and a place to feature seasonal color displays.

From the Landscape Architect's viewpoints, the design of the Paseo de Flores needed to consider several factors;

1.The site includes mature Pecan trees and areas in which vegetation have become
overgrown. Major considerations were to design the pathways and garden features around existing trees, opening vistas previously covered and orienting the garden towards
existing features (3).

2.The linear form of the garden "touched" several areas with very distinct character, therefore, the design needed to respond and integrate different landscape styles into a cohesive composition. At the area adjacent to the DeGolyer Estate, the garden is formal, whereas in other areas it is more fluid. (6, 7, 8)

3.The Arboretum attendance varies greatly, depending on programmed events and the
seasons. The scale of the pathway and seating spaces required careful handling so as to accommodate large crowds and be responsive to the individual visitor on off peak days

(4,5). Special consideration was given to the entries of the Pasco de Flores and the physical connections to the adjacent areas of the garden (4). These "connections" are especially important if the Paseo de Flores is to serve as the main pedestrian circulation spine of the Arboretum. Special care was given to the integration of Architectural features and the garden (8).Two pairs of ceramic urns from an demolished historic downtown building were used as gateways to delineate spaces and views along the garden.

(5).The Landscape Architect was responsible for the design, construction documentation and site supervision for the project. Supervision was performed on a daily basis and much of the design evolved from observation of site conditions during construction. The Landscape Architect was also part of the 1987 Dallas Arboretum Master Plan team.

The Pasco de Flores is worthy of consideration for an award for the following reasons;

1. The sensitivity of the design in the careful integration of the Paseo de Flores with the
existing site attributes.

2.    The manipulation of scale.

3. The sense of continuity achieved in the design unifying diverse areas and spaces into a cohesive composition.