2024 in Review

As 2024 comes to a close, we are reflecting on a year of exciting projects and successful collaborations. GreenWorks has much to celebrate. In the spirit of the season, here are some of the highlights we want to share with you.

PDX Winter Lights Festival: Jelly Jam

GreenWorks had a blast participating in the ninth PDX Winter Lights Festival in February. Together with our collaborators, we transformed the courtyard of our office in the Central Eastside Industrial District into the Jelly Jam: A Cnidarian Celebration! This immersive “underwater” installation featured large-scale mixed media jellyfish that lit up the winter nights to express the festival’s theme of “What Glows Under Pressure”. We added a food cart, live DJs, and performances to the mix for two weekends of music, dancing, and fun. Stay tuned for what we have planned for this year’s festival.

LAM Feature: Lower Klamath River Dams Removal

The May issue of Landscape Architecture Magazine featured a project we are involved with on the Lower Klamath River. In conjunction with the removal of four hydroelectric dams formerly operated by PacifiCorp, GreenWorks is leading the design of four recreation sites to provide public recreation access to the restored river. The dam removal project, the largest in the United States, aims to improve the river’s water quality and aquatic habitat while restoring the salmon population. Our team has advanced the design of the four recreation sites to 100% construction documents, accounting for the new lower water levels. Site amenities will include trails, boat ramps, picnic areas, restrooms, and parking areas. GreenWorks is committed to connecting people to nature while protecting and enhancing natural resources and we are proud to be a part of the Lower Klamath River’s evolution.

ASLA Oregon Lord and Schryver Award

Principal Ben Johnson was honored with the Lord and Schryver Award at the ASLA Oregon Awards Dinner in September. The award honors groundbreakers in the field of landscape architecture who have made significant contributions to fostering representation, equity, diversity and inclusion within the profession in Oregon. As a leader at GreenWorks, Ben is committed to mentoring all our staff and supporting their advancement in our firm and beyond. We are proud of his efforts to encourage a collaborative spirit in our office where everyone has an opportunity to cultivate their individual talents and share their unique perspective. Several of our staff gathered at the event to celebrate Ben’s award and the achievements of all our colleagues who were recognized this year. Photo Credit: Erin Riddle/KLiK Concepts.

ORPA Award: Cook Family Park Inclusive Playground

In October, the inclusive playground we designed with the City of Tigard received an Oregon Recreation & Park Association (ORPA) Award for Design and Construction. The award recognizes projects that demonstrate inclusiveness, are responsive to community needs, and show a high level of overall design quality and innovation. We are thrilled with the success of this playground that highlights our collaborative and inclusive approach to design. It will serve the community and provide a place for all who visit to enjoy for years to come.

Vietnam War Memorial

The Vietnam War Memorial on the Oregon State Capitol grounds was unveiled and dedicated during a ceremony in Salem in November. The memorial is made of 46 black granite columns engraved with the names of over 700 Oregonians who lost their lives as a result of the war. The columns represent the fractured public opinion Americans had about the war and the lack of support service members received upon returning. A bronze sculpture by Portland artist Libby Carruth titled “A Soldier's Return” reveals the "invisible wounds" of war. We are honored to be a partner with Abbaté Designs, Andersen Construction, KPFF, and R&W Engineering in this important project.

A future phase to complete the full vision of the memorial is planned but not funded yet. Please consider supporting this ongoing effort by contributing to The Fund for a Vietnam Memorial on the Oregon State Capitol: https://ocvvm.com/bringithome/

Thanks to all our clients, partners, and supporters who share in our success and make great projects possible. Best wishes for the New Year!