Meet Our Team
Mike Mlnarik
Mike Mlnarik has a passion for creating distinctive, breathtaking landscapes, and has been bringing his award-winning landscape designs to life since 1983. A former founding partner of Grand Rapids Landscape, Mike attended Michigan State University’s program in landscape horticulture and is a Certified Michigan Nurseryman, member of the Michigan Nursery and Landscape Association, and a certified Natural Shoreline Professional.
A member of the Home and Builders’ Association of Greater Grand Rapids, Mike has won several awards from the MNLA and HBAGGR for landscape design and currently serves as a board member and chairman of the education committee of the Association of Grand Rapids Landscape Professionals.
Employing a “hands-on” approach to landscaping, Mike will expertly guide you through each step of the process, from concept and design to installation and maintenance. Mike believes that, “A landscape is a living, breathing declaration of personal style. Each design is a product of close communication and flawless coordination. Understanding each client’s lifestyle and vision is the first step.”
Michigan Certified Nurseryman (MCN)
Certified Green Industry Professional (CGIP)
Michigan Certified Natural Shoreline Professional (MCNSP)
Member – Michigan Nursery & Landscape Association (MNLA)
Member – Home & Builders Association Greater Grand Rapids (HBAGGR, Prior Board Member)
Member – Association of Grand Rapids Landscape Professionals (Prior Board Member)
Award Winning Landscape Designer
Rivertown Landscapes is an award winning landscape design company, having won numerous state and local awards for its handcrafted landscape designs.
- Winner – Association of Grand Rapids Landscape Professionals Award for Landscape Over $15,000 (2011)
- Winner – Michigan Nursery and Landscape Association Special Feature (1989, 1993, 1994, and 1996)
- Winner – Home and Building Association of Greater Grand Rapids Sales and Marketing Council Best Site Harmony (1995, 1997, 2005, 2007, and 2008)
- Winner – Home and Building Association of Greater Grand Rapids People’s Choice Awards (1997 and 2007)
Dan Miller
Dan Miller is a licensed landscape architect with an extensive background in the design, build, and maintenance of high-end residential landscapes. A graduate of Michigan State University’s Landscape Architecture program in 2001, Dan’s progressive designs and awe-inspiring environments have been featured in numerous industry publications including TRENDS and Lawn and Landscape magazines.After spending the first 12 years of his career with Mariani Landscape as Landscape Designer, Project Architect, and Design Studio Coordinator in the Chicagoland area, Dan has returned to his Michigan roots.We are happy he did.
Dan’s experience in varying positions means he possesses wide-ranging knowledge of construction materials and methods, plant materials, and plant combinations for a variety of conditions. Having worked on projects ranging from $5,000 to two-plus million, Dan is definitely no stranger to extraordinary design. Dan is a great fit for Rivertown Landscapes because he always goes the extra mile; project details often involve custom carpentry, masonry, garden ornaments, sub-structural development of under-drainage systems, and radiant flooring systems. Dan’s expertise in all arenas of landscape and architecture have made him sought after by everyone from business owners to celebrities. The industry has also taken note of his talent, as Dan has won numerous awards for his work.
With the goal of each design to enrich people’s lives and add value to each client, Dan looks to the architecture of each home to determine the style of each garden. While his designs compliment the architecture and style of each home, their main priority is to function and the aesthetics follow. Having an outdoor kitchen without enough space to sit, or a driveway that you can’t get out of is the last thing you want to see on any design. Dan, and the Rivertown team, will ensure your home is a place to enjoy comfortably and let the stress of everyday life fall away.
- Registered Landscape Architect (State of Michigan and State of Wisconsin)
- CLARB Certified
- 2x Mariani Landscape Employee of the Year
- ILASLA Presidents Award, 2011
- ILASLA Merit Award, 2012
- ILCA GOLD Award, 2011 & 2012
- ILCA Professionals Choice Award, 2010
- Guest Speaker – 2011 Great Lakes Trade Exp
- Home and Building Association of Greater Grand Rapids, Best Curb Appeal (Spring & Fall Parade of Homes 2016)
- Grand Rapids Cosmopolitan Magazine, Home of the Year (2015)
Dan Miller
Dan Miller is a licensed landscape architect with an extensive background in the design, build, and maintenance of high-end residential landscapes. A graduate of Michigan State University’s Landscape Architecture program in 2001, Dan’s progressive designs and awe-inspiring environments have been featured in numerous industry publications including TRENDS and Lawn and Landscape magazines.After spending the first 12 years of his career with Mariani Landscape as Landscape Designer, Project Architect, and Design Studio Coordinator in the Chicagoland area, Dan has returned to his Michigan roots.We are happy he did.
Dan’s experience in varying positions means he possesses wide-ranging knowledge of construction materials and methods, plant materials, and plant combinations for a variety of conditions. Having worked on projects ranging from $5,000 to two-plus million, Dan is definitely no stranger to extraordinary design. Dan is a great fit for Rivertown Landscapes because he always goes the extra mile; project details often involve custom carpentry, masonry, garden ornaments, sub-structural development of under-drainage systems, and radiant flooring systems. Dan’s expertise in all arenas of landscape and architecture have made him sought after by everyone from business owners to celebrities. The industry has also taken note of his talent, as Dan has won numerous awards for his work.
With the goal of each design to enrich people’s lives and add value to each client, Dan looks to the architecture of each home to determine the style of each garden. While his designs compliment the architecture and style of each home, their main priority is to function and the aesthetics follow. Having an outdoor kitchen without enough space to sit, or a driveway that you can’t get out of is the last thing you want to see on any design. Dan, and the Rivertown team, will ensure your home is a place to enjoy comfortably and let the stress of everyday life fall away.
- Registered Landscape Architect (State of Michigan and State of Wisconsin)
- CLARB Certified
- 2x Mariani Landscape Employee of the Year
- ILASLA Presidents Award, 2011
- ILASLA Merit Award, 2012
- ILCA GOLD Award, 2011 & 2012
- ILCA Professionals Choice Award, 2010
- Guest Speaker – 2011 Great Lakes Trade Exp
- Home and Building Association of Greater Grand Rapids, Best Curb Appeal (Spring & Fall Parade of Homes 2016)
- Grand Rapids Cosmopolitan Magazine, Home of the Year (2015)
Our Team
While our Landscape Architect or Designer create beautiful landscape designs, the concept would not be possible without the support staff. Talented professionals round out the Rivertown Landscapes team. Administrative staff organize the office and keep the engine running smoothly and efficiently. Interns gain experience, knowledge and offer a lending hand wherever needed. Our nursery buyer sources quality plant material with the majority coming from West Michigan farms and growers, making it a ‘farm to yard’ enterprise. Of course, a landscape could not be completed without our professional, hard working, experienced production staff who do the heavy lifting to realize your dream landscape. Our installation team will be on the job site, properly attired with the tools and equipment to do the job right. You’ll find them in every season doing what they do best , creating extraordinary design – it’s in their nature.
