Longwood Gardens Master Plan

Ecological assessment and analysis guide an updated master plan for a 1,100 acre public garden in the Brandywine Valley.

In 2011, Longwood Gardens completed its first Physical Master Plan. A decade later, after successfully implementing several key initiatives from that plan, Longwood expanded its vision with the acquisition of Longwood at Granogue—a 505-acre site just eight miles from the Gardens. This milestone prompted Longwood to launch a holistic master planning process to align its physical, business, and strategic goals across both sites.

This new master plan is shaped by updated insights into Longwood’s landscapes and programs—including ecology, visitor experience, and land management. As a core member of the planning team led by Unknown Studio, Biohabitats provided expertise in site and regional ecology, sustainability, resilience, and wastewater and sanitary infrastructure.

Following a rapid ecological assessment and analysis of existing data, Biohabitats evaluated the ecological character of both Longwood Gardens and Longwood at Granogue, identifying opportunities to protect and enhance natural systems and improve regional habitat connectivity. In addition, Biohabitats assessed Longwood’s current wastewater treatment and reuse systems—already nearing capacity—and offered high-level recommendations to support Longwood’s long-term sustainability, operational efficiency, and continued leadership in water stewardship.