Dan O'Neill / BelleCreeke

03/25/2026

When speaking of Proposals and Estimates, there are a couple of quotes that I hear from potential clients during the estimate process. "The Devil is in the Details" and "Be sure to sharpen your pencil" are the two I have heard regularly over the years.

The reality is that some folks like line-item proposals and others just want to see the lump sum, with no details. Either way, clear communication is key during the design and estimate phase. I think some customers tend to hold back information to keep costs down, or to use it as some sort of leverage in negotiations during or after the project.

I am very clear in my estimates, and all potential costs are presented upfront, in a itemized proposal that is easy to comprehend and relates to specific tasks on the site and project. I don't present any surprises in the final invoice, and you can't say, "well I told you this, or I thought we agreed on that."

So, the devil might be in the details, but I can guarantee there are no devils at the homeless shelter and you will get the exact project you imagined, at a cost you agree with!

03/16/2026

BelleCreeke has a full schedule for 2026 and 3 positions available on our team. If you have experience in landscaping, or an interest in starting in the industry, we offer an excellent work environment and competitive wages.

If you are interested and would like to apply, send an introduction and attached resume to [email protected]. If you have questions, send us an e-mail. Comments and questions on this post will not be monitored regularly.

02/03/2026

When a city hires a planning team to redesign a historic area, it is often referred to as urban renewal or urban redevelopment. This process involves addressing urban decay, upgrading infrastructure, and revitalizing city neighborhoods, often leading to the demolition of blighted areas and the construction of new housing, businesses, and public spaces.

Architects sometimes work as city planners, and often Architecture and planning firms are often hired by a city or county to prepare growth plans, urban renewal plans, or urban renovation plans. Plans are not limited to historic architecture but encompass the greater streetscape and human interaction.

Architects, Planners, Landscape Architects and Engineers may comprise a team that holds focus sessions to determine how the citizens of an area would “reimagine” their city core.

Trends include reducing asphalt and vehicle lanes, combining usage of the remaining lanes, and increasing green space and walkability. Often, cities choose to widen sidewalks to allow for parklets, outdoor eating, and space for vendors and food trucks, creating space and providing infrastructure for farmers markets, craft fairs, and other outdoor events.

Here is are examples of an elevation, perspective, and perspective render of how it might look if a city converted a 4-lane street, or a 2-lane street with parking on both sides, into a forward looking space that envisions many uses, inviting citizens to their core civic areas.

01/26/2026

Over the past year, many of you have asked to see more of the architectural work I do. My usual response has been to point people to the portfolio on my website—but for 2026, I’m changing that.

One of my resolutions this year is to engage more frequently here. I’m committing to posting at least one sketch per week, along with digital images from projects and designs that aren’t under privacy agreements. (If you’ve been here long enough, you might remember when I did the Tree of the Week.)

In the past, there were assumed business names for the service divisions operating under BelleCreeke. Going forward, there will be a clearer separation between service divisions, but everything will remain branded as BelleCreeke.

For various reasons, the original master plan for the business never fully developed. People moved on—or passed on—and land that was once available for growth has since been sold. If I were doing a SWOT analysis today, it would be fair to say that BelleCreeke became more of a competitive driver than a consistently profitable seasonal service business. The economy was tough, the idea was strong enough to be copied, and growth brought more complexity than capacity. At times, there were simply more fires than firefighters.

The upside is that Butte has become a much greener town. Today there are dozens of lawn and landscape service providers, and roughly ten nursery and garden centers—up from just two when I first developed the plan. While I didn’t fully benefit financially, I believe the spirit of the work helped shape the local industry.

So while the landscape side of BelleCreeke will continue, I’ll also be focusing more on design and development projects—both independently and in collaboration with engineers and design firms. I can’t predict the future, but I can plan for it. I’m building a library of digital assets for contextual presentations, and this layered mapping diagram is one example.

12/23/2025

Wishing our Family and Friends a safe and peaceful Christmas!

11/27/2025

I am happy to express gratitude for the people and places that have inspired and supported BelleCreeke. What a joy and pleasure it has been to serve you and call you as a friend.

May your day be filled with moments of joy and comfort with those you hold close, along with a table of plenty!

09/16/2025

I need your help signing up atleast 41 new customers for 2025 to replace those who have passed away or moved in the past 3 years. Please share with your family and friends!

Online Form: https://bellecreeke.com/landscape/
Call or Text: 406-490-0944

Thank you for visiting! If this page is active, I am currently available to design and guide you on a residential project you may be envisioning. Give me a call and lets talk about project possibilities.

09/15/2025

https://bellecreeke.com/landscape/
Call or Text 406-490-0944

09/04/2025

Change and growth is sometimes difficult but necessary. Today, I loaded up the first truck the business bought, a 1998 Dodge Ram, to send to the Auction. I also got rid of an old dozer my dad bought off of Wagner Landscaping when they had gone bankrupt on their move from Colorado to Montana. Who knows, maybe that was the seed money that helped establish their presence here!

Both are well maintained and in excellent running condition, but no longer serve a purpose to me.

07/10/2025

A design I completed for a front yard renovation. Stay Tuned...

02/14/2025

I hope all of you that have a Valentine enjoy the special day, and appreciate that you have found someone unique and special to you.

Many years ago, I began our spring marketing campaign on Valentines day. All of the key employees would be in the office, and we made an attempt to call every customer across BelleCreeke, Scotts, and Montana Landscape Management to tell them "we love you." Thankfully, I stopped doing that many years ago.

I have more respect for the holiday today. The connection between partners, and the love they share, is not something to use as a joke to sell landscape services! I don't want to use Valentines Day to impose on the boundaries of a relationship between a business and its customers.