Our Story.

Our name Walden Design was inspired by Henry David Thoreau and his book Walden. Thoreau wrote Walden as an account of two years he lived in the woods near Concord, Massachusetts on Walden Pond. There be built his own cabin, raised his own food to live simply. He wanted to be free from the distractions of ordinary life. At Walden Pond he observed nature and lived in harmony with his environment around him. As a landscape designer my design philosophy is similar to Thoreau's, we observe nature to get our inspiration for our designs. 

Our designs are a visual cohesive blend of nature, client’s lifestyles, and the environment all around us.

 

Over 60 years of combined experience.

Meet the Team

Based in Rockford Michigan since 2006, we are a landscape design and installation company serving the Grand Rapids area.
 
 

  • Owner & Designer

    My love of landscaping began when I was young. In my middle school autobiography, I wrote

    "At 25 I would like to get a degree as a landscape engineer. I would like to own my own business..."

    I guess my love of landscaping started when I was young. When I was young I use my parent’s lawn tractor and trailer to do various landscape projects around the yard. I would haul around topsoil, mulch, plants, and rocks and add new planting beds, retaining walls, ponds, and waterfalls. My first job, when I turned 16, was at a nursery, where I also met my future wife, and I have been in the green industry ever since. I enjoyed it so much that I decided to make it a career and attend Michigan State's Landscape Design, Construction, and Management program. I really enjoyed school and learning more in dept about plants, design and other landscaping.

 
 
 

  • Director of Operations

    Troy Winters opens the line of communication between the client, designer, and crew to get projects done. With 36 years in the landscaping business, Troy has experience in management consultation, team building, and strategic implementation. Troy is a Michigan Certified Nurseryman, has earned his Pond Installer Certification, and has his Builders License.

    Troy is crazy happily married with six children and ten grandchildren! He also has managed to find time to serve as a firefighter and medical first responder, found Mustard Ministries, and be very involved in his church.

 

Our Values

  • Honesty

    Walden Design has built its reputation on integrity and exhibits trustworthiness in how we conduct business.

  • Quality

    We obtain the highest degree of excellence by using the best practices to do our work to the highest standard.

  • Relationships

    We care about the people with whom we do business; your project is not a job to complete, it’s your home or place of business. We care about the people who will use the landscapes we create.

  • Balance

    We maintain healthy work and personal life by not allowing work to control personal life and not allowing work stress to overwhelm life and relationships.

  • Professionalism

    We are landscape professionals, and we deliver the competence and skill expected of a professional. From the initial design meeting through the project completion, you can expect our staff to be competent, skilled, and knowledgeable.