History, creates a foundation. That is a literal tradition at Dahlkemper Landscape Architects & Contractors. 

Vice President of Operations, Dan Dahlkemper says the business was officially formed in 1955.

Dan says he grew up in the business - working on jobs in the summer and after graduating from Penn State University in landscape architecture and working around the country, he came back.

Dahlkemper says "This took the design that my dad was doing to kind of informally or casually to a whole different level." 

From big to small projects the business has had quite and impact on Erie, with the company designing Liberty Park, the south pier, just to name a few. 

Dave Marino is the president of the company.
He started working for the business as a student, and one of his first sketches was the entrance of Erie's World War II memorial, right insides Veteran's Park, a place he and the company have enhanced over the years.

But from home to commercial projects, Marino simply spends many days designing. 

He will continue the longstanding legacy of the business, saying, "In 2012 we started to do a company buyout and that will be complete here January 1 of 2022 >

He goes on to say, "I learned a lot about the business and how things were done from the ground up." 

A 66 year business with the ground - always a part of the final project.

Dahlkemper says, "I just enjoy going and seeing things that we're doing that we've done and how well they've grown and how well they've added to the fabric of our community."