About Me

Cindy Zerger, Urban Designer + Landscape Architect

Cindy is a nationally recognized leader in the design of public spaces. She serves as Urban Design Practice Leader at Toole Design, where she leads a national practice of 40+ urban designers, landscape architects, and environmental graphic designers working across the U.S. Her work focuses on visioning, planning, and designing great streets and public spaces—from bold conceptual ideas to built reality. Cindy coined the phrase “path as place” to reframe how we talk about streets and mobility, as an effort to encourage holistic approach that centers human experience and ecological function rather than just efficiency. She is a sought-after speaker and strategic advisor on public space design and frequently leads workshops and visioning sessions with communities, clients, and interdisciplinary teams. Cindy is a licensed landscape architect and holds a Master of Landscape Architecture and Master of Urban Planning from the University of Minnesota.

Cindy has lectured, moderated, and conducted trainings across the country on topics ranging from innovative street design practices, equity in public realm design, and women in leadership. She is a recipient of the ASLA MN H.W.S. Cleveland Award.

Recognition

Honor Award, ASLA Potomac Chapter
Capital City Bikeway / Jackson Street Reconstruction


UMN Center for Transportation Studies Research Award
From Policy to Project: The Planning and Implementation of Complete Streets at Multiple Scales


HWS Cleveland Award, ASLA Minnesota Chapter
for Achievement by a Young Professional


Honor Award, ASLA Minnesota Chapter
for Outstanding Academic Achievement

Experience

Urban Design Practice Lead (2023-Present)
Toole Design


Urban Design Director / California (2020-2023)
Toole Design

Based in the Oakland CA office


Senior Urban Designer and Associate (2014-2020)
Toole Design


Center Design Coordinator and Research Fellow (2009-2014)
Center for Changing Landscapes and Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs


Landscape Designer Associate (2006-2009)
Coen + Partners