David Wagner

Biography

David Wagner was born and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba. In 1972, he graduated from the University of Manitoba with a Bachelor Degree in Economics and History. Following his BA, David studied public accounting which ultimately served him well in business. In 1975 he began working on his Master of Landscape Architecture at the University of Manitoba and became a groundskeeper at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon in that same year. While at university, from 1976 -1978, Wagner worked as a Landscape Designer for Parks Canada. He then took a position as Staff Landscape Architect with the firm Dunbar Paterson Rose.

In 1979 Wagner founded his own firm, David Wagner Landscape Architects. Wagner completed his Masters in 1980 and after several years as a sole practitioner, incorporated the firm name to David Wagner Associates Inc. (DWA) in 1989. Over the years, the firm employed and mentored many students and newly graduated landscape architects. In 1985 Wagner was joined by his wife Laurie Lamb Wagner who became a partner and Principal Landscape Architect. While raising a family of three children, the Wagners built a successful Landscape Architectural consulting business. David practiced for over 45 years until Landscape Architects Elizabeth Christiansen and Scott Rosin took over DWA and rebranded it to DWAsitework Inc.

Schooled in hand drawing and plan drafting, Wagner was quick to recognize the applicability of computers within the field of Landscape Architecture. Before CAD integrated software was available, he quickly developed his own computerized macro applications relevant to site 2d and 3d design works, quantity take offs, construction documents, specifications and project management systems.

Early in his career Wagner was instrumental in many urban design projects. A vacant lot at the corner of Jessie and Hugo, just off Corydon Avenue, was transformed into an urban plaza. Wagner and his firm consulted with community groups during the planning and design phases and developed a successful community space. Wagner was involved in streetscaping on some of the most important streets in Winnipeg’s Exchange District, such as Bannatyne Avenue, McDermot Street, Princess Street and Arthur Street.

Wagner is known for his pragmatic approach and for sustainability in his works. He has been involved in many Manitoba Housing Project renovations, commercial housing, retail developments, and the planning of new subdivisions. He was cutting-edge in the early development of naturalized lakes and drainage swales in Lindsey Wilson Park and Winkler Golf Course. Wagner has been responsible for the siting, installation and contract administration for thousands of Developer /City of Winnipeg street trees in the Island Lakes, Sage Creek, River Park South and other Winnipeg subdivisions.

Anyone who knows Wagner is aware of his love for the game of golf. He designed his first new course, Larter’s at St. Andrews Golf and Country Club, in the 1980s. His portfolio includes new courses such as Bridges, The Player’s Course, and Golf LaVerendrye; expansions to Killarney Lakeside, Winkler, Maplewood, and Gilbert Plains; and renovations to Neepawa, Minnedosa, Rossmere, and old Southwood. His professional memberships include the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America and the Donald Ross Society. Wagner has expertise in site grading and turf which carries over into his development of other athletic fields.

Wagner has a special interest in military history and memorials. His Valour Road Streetscaping Project included the development of two memorial plazas at the corner of Valour Road and Sargent Avenue. The Soldiers at Valour Road Memorial was created to honour the three local Victoria Cross recipients and has three steel silhouettes that change colour as one moves past them. The plazas include Tyndall stone monuments as well as soft landscaping. Valour Road Remembrance Day ceremonies are held yearly at the multifunctional site which is also a bus loop. The Jules Mager/Arden Seven Memorial on the corner of St. Michael and River Roads honors seven Battle of Hong Kong veterans with the placement of seven chairs and a moon gate. Other Wagner projects in Winnipeg include installations at the Brookside and Transcona Memorial Gardens, a number of columbaria at Elmwood Cemetery and the Memorial for the Winnipeg Police Canine Unit.

With the one hundredth anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge, DWA was engaged to upgrade the historic battle monument at Vimy Ridge Memorial Park. The project expanded over various phases and Winnipeg’s second oldest park now has significant entrances and a notable presence along Portage Avenue, as well as upgraded and new memorials set in a lovely garden environment. The park hosts numerous remembrance events throughout the year.

Wagner‘s work has been recognized by the Canadian Society of Landscape Architects (CSLA) on numerous occasions. During the 1980s, CSLA Prairie Regional Citations were awarded to DWA for The Extension to Central Park which developed out of the North of Ellice Neighbourhood Streetscaping Project, and for the Selkirk Avenue Development Plan. In 1994 Wagner received the CSLA National Merit award for the Clear Lake Golf Course Tender Submission. Wagner and his firm also received awards for the Corydon Hugo Piazza and the Soldiers at Valour Road Memorial.

In addition to his work as a Landscape Architect, Wagner has been a guest lecturer and instructor at various institutions. He has acted as a Guest Studio Critic, Guest lecturer and External Examiner for the Thesis Committee at the University of Manitoba. He was an instructor at the University of Winnipeg, the University of Manitoba Department of Agriculture and River East School Division. He has sat on Committees for the City of Winnipeg, such as the Urban Design Review Committee. Wagner has served as an expert witness for a number of legal disputes and arbitrations with respect to turf and other landscape issues.

Wagner has served as President of the Manitoba Association of Landscape Architects, as well President of the Canadian Society of Landscape Architects where he is a Fellow.