Landscape Architect / Land Planner — Master Plan for Family Ranch & Glamping Retreat w/ Private Lake

Project Overview I'm seeking an experienced landscape architect or land planner to create a comprehensive site master plan for an 83-acre wooded ranch property with a 10-acre private lake in East Texas The property will serve a dual purpose: a private family compound for my family (4 kids, ages 5–9) and a destination glamping/retreat property for guests. The land features rolling terrain (roughly 400–490 ft elevation) and mature hardwood forest. The vision is light-touch: keep most of the acreage wooded and natural, concentrate the structures and amenities on a few acres, and thread hiking and biking trails through the rest (with some private family-only ATV routes). I want a plan that works with the natural landscape rather than against it. Property Details Location: Henderson County, East Texas) Size: 83 acres total, including a ~10-acre private lake Planned lake expansion: We are expanding the lake by roughly 5 acres to the north (to ~15 acres total), flooding the large ravine that currently runs through the middle of the property. A new, very large dam will be constructed on the northwest boundary of the lake. Dam and lake engineering are being handled separately by a civil engineer — the master plan should be designed around the future shoreline and incorporate the dam as a site feature (e.g., trail or road crossing along the dam crest), not price in any engineering work. Topography: Rolling hills, ~90 ft of elevation change, with ridgelines offering elevated views over the lake Vegetation: Heavily wooded — primarily hardwood Design intent: The vast majority of the property stays wooded and natural. Only a few acres will be cleared/developed for structures and amenities — the rest becomes a trail network woven through the forest. I'm looking for a light-touch plan that preserves the character of the land. I can provide: topographic/contour map (Land id), survey, parcel boundaries, and photos Program Elements to Incorporate Family side (private): Main lodge sited for lake views and privacy from guest areas Pool and pool deck Outdoor kitchen / dining pavilion Sports court (basketball/pickleball) Play areas appropriate for kids ages 5–9 Guest / retreat side: Glamping sites and/or cabins (quantity and type — your recommendations welcome) Gathering spaces: fire pits, event lawn or pavilion Lake amenities: fishing dock(s), swim area, kayak/canoe launch Trail network across the wooded acreage: hiking and mountain biking trails for guests, plus family-only ATV/UTV routes (private use, kept separate from guest trails — your recommendation on routing and separation) Infrastructure & circulation: Entry sequence, internal roads, and parking (separating family traffic from guest traffic) Utility considerations (well/septic zones, power routing) at a conceptual level Phasing plan — what to build first vs. later Deliverables Site analysis (slopes, drainage, views, sun, vegetation, best buildable areas), including a projected future shoreline for the expanded ~15-acre lake based on the contour data 2–3 conceptual layout alternatives for the developed core (a few acres concentrating lodge, cabins/glamping, and amenities) Final illustrative master plan of the full 83 acres (to scale, suitable for sharing with builders/contractors) Trail network plan: guest hiking/biking loops plus separate family-only ATV routes, using existing terrain, ridgelines, and lake frontage with minimal clearing Phasing recommendations (Optional/nice to have) simple 3D massing or perspective renderings Ideal Candidate Licensed landscape architect or land planner with portfolio work in resort/hospitality, ranch, campground/glamping, or large residential estate master planning Experience designing on sloped, wooded sites and around water features Comfortable working remotely from topo maps, drone footage, and photos (site visit not required, though I'm open to it) Familiarity with Texas (or similar Southeastern US) site conditions is a plus Strong graphic presentation skills To Apply, Please Include 2–3 portfolio examples of comparable master plans (ranch, resort, glamping, or estate) Your proposed process and deliverables for this scope Estimated timeline and fee structure One idea or question about the site that shows you've thought about the project