Ernie (Ernest) Wong, FASLA
"We make life better for people," Wong, in China Daily (July 17, 2017)
Named "Chicagoan of the Year" for 2010 by The Chicago Tribune, Ernie Wong said recently his mission is to create greenspace for urban areas and bring beauty to city living. In 1990, he founded his firm, Site Design Group, in order to "brighten the cityscape" of his native Chicago. Some of Wong's most notable projects include Henry Palmisano Park, Mary Bartelme Park, and Ping Tom Memorial Park. For Memorial Park, built next to Chicago's Chinatown, he worked side-by-side with community members to be sure the park reflected Chinese culture, creating a bamboo garden, a pagoda, and walking trails lined with rocks shipped from China. A graduate of Michigan State's Landscape Architecture Program, has been both a leader in the field as well as his community service as commissioner of the City of Chicago Commission on Cultural Affairs and Mayor Rahm Emanuel Ad-Hoc Committee on Design and Planning, among other city organizations. Ernie’s other community service activities include serving as chair for the Chinese American Service League and other non profits, including the Museum of Science and Industry, the Student Conservation Association, and the YMCA.
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