Canopy Team – formerly known as Elysian Park Planning – announces this morning its expansion to the East Coast and the opening of a new office in Baltimore, as well as the appointment of Fran Weld as CEO. The Canopy team is led by Founder and President, and current Executive Vice President/Planning and Development of the Dodgers, Janet Marie Smith. Weld previously served as executive vice president/strategy and development for the SF Giants, where she managed the design, financing and entitlements of the $2.6 billion waterfront mixed-use development next to Oracle Park.
The company also announced the Univ. Florida’s Athletic Association and MLB as new clients. Canopy team members have worked on some of the world’s most iconic sports venues, including Dodger Stadium, Stamford Bridge, PNC Park and legacy stadium programming for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, as well as at more intimate venues for teams like Worcester. Red Sox, Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp and Bowie Baysox.
Canopy’s services include site assessment, project management, design direction, urban planning, land use and permitting coordination, placemaking, experience planning, financial analysis and a host of other site-related development skills.
Smith, an urban planner and architect, first became known for her pivotal role in the creation of Camden Yards in the early 1990s and she also participated in the renovations of Fenway Park and, more recently, Dodger Stadium. Canopy was chosen as one of the first nine named companies to join the Trailblazer Venture Studio. Trailblazer is a collaboration between Billie Jean King Enterprises, Elysian Park Ventures, the Dodgers and R/GA Ventures.
