Couch Park is Under Construction!

Big things are happening under the beautiful trees at Couch Park this fall. Taking advantage of the lovely October weather we’ve been having, a small GreenWorks crew biked up to the Alphabet District on their lunch break earlier this week to see the latest progress. The stormwater planters and other concrete work is well underway, and the monolithic boulders are a sight to behold. We can’t wait to see the rest of Portland’s first inclusive playground come together in the next few months.

Westmoreland Published!

Westmoreland Park has been featured in the Design Museum Foundation’s recently published “Design and Play” book, which is based on their nationally-traveling exhibit Extraordinary Playscapes. The book examines the art, history, science, and importance of play, and explores the latest thinking in playground design. The coauthors, Sam Aquillano and Amanda Hawkins, do an amazing job at telling the stories behind these incredible play spaces, while emphasizing the positive impact free play has on childhood development, thriving communities, and social equity. The GreenWorks team is honored to have Westmoreland featured as an exceptional, international playscape. We would like to thank Adam Kuby and Portland Parks and Recreation for their collaboration throughout this project. Please visit the Design Museum's website for more information: https://designmuseumfoundation.org/portland/

Columbia Tech Nature Play Area Taking Shape

The Columbia Tech Nature Play Area is under construction! GreenWorks was hired by PacTrust to design a new nature play area within the Columbia Tech Center in Vancouver, Washington. Columbia Tech Center is a 410-acre mixed use development that includes a 12-acre park that promotes a live-work balance for the community. The new 25,000 square foot playground will become the heart of the park and will be a significant amenity for the development. Our special thanks to PacTrust and contractor, Rotschy Inc.

Washougal Waterfront Nature Play Area

GreenWorks was hired by The Port of Camas-Washougal to design a new nature play area. The play area will be a highlight along a mile-long trail that begins at Washougal Waterfront Park and meanders along the shoreline of the Columbia River. The focal point in the play area is a large existing boulder nicknamed “Erric the Erratic” and playful sculpture of a sasquatch pulling the boulder out of the earth. The Port is seeking a name for the sasquatch. To submit your idea, visit the website: http://portwaterfrontparks.com/sasquatch/

GreenWorks is working with NW Playground and ID Sculptures to create this unique play element.

An Exciting Project in Astoria!

Mike Faha and Derek Sergison recently visited Astoria earlier this month for a series of public meetings related to the Shively Park and McClure Park Master Plans. The public meetings will help our master planning team collect community input that will lead to establishing a future vision for these parks. We are very excited to be working again in Astoria. Other recent work includes the Astoria Waterfront Visioning Plan, The Riverwalk project, and Downtown Wayfinding Plan.

Ridgewood View Park Awarded for Sustainable Infrastructure

The Tualatin Valley Water District’s (TVWD) Ridgewood View Park Reservoir and Pump Station was completed in October of 2016 (except for the lawn area, which will be roped off until spring).

You can learn more about this project at TVWD’s website: http://www.ridgewoodviewwater.org/ GreenWorks aided TVWD in replacing an outdated reservoir with a new one adjacent to Ridgewood View Park in Beaverton. The new water project required extensive piping and construction staging on the Tualatin Hills Parks and Recreation District (THPRD) park site so, in turn, TVWD needed to upgrade the amenities in Ridgewood View. GreenWorks’ proposed new park elements, including open lawn, paths, parking, picnic shelters, access to natural areas, playgrounds, and a bocce ball and tennis court on top of the reservoir. Innovative elements for the project included terraced rain gardens that treat and convey stormwater from the roof of the reservoir. The park’s new rain gardens help screen the 15’ wall of the reservoir in the park and provide an educational resource for TVWD, THPRD, and the residents of the neighborhood.

This project received the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure’s (ISI) Envision rating system’s Gold Award. Read more about the award here: http://sustainableinfrastructure.org/envision/project-awards/ridgewood-view/

Washington Park Groundbreaking

Join Parks Commissioner Amanda Fritz, Parks Director Mike Abbaté, and Kimberly Bown, Chair of the Friends of Washington Park International Rose Test Garden, to celebrate the groundbreaking for ADA accessibility improvements at Washington Park International Rose Test Garden.

---

Groundbreaking Celebration:

Friday, February 24 – 1:00pm – 2:00pm (speakers at 1pm)

Meet by the Rose Garden Store, 400 SW Kingston Avenue*

Free and open to all!

---

*Note: Access and parking at Washington Park is limited due to Water Bureau Reservoir construction. The best access from downtown Portland is via W Burnside St to SW Tichner Drive.

• Please view the map at this link to plan your visit: https://www.portlandoregon.gov/water/article/586276
• The Washington Park TMA also has helpful tips on getting around: http://www.explorewashingtonpark.org/construction#

Construction will begin in late February/early March and is expected to be complete by the end of May 2017. For more information about the project, please visit:

https://www.portlandoregon.gov/parks/69726

Tanner Springs Park Honored as a Frontline Park

Tanner Springs Park was named a Frontline Park by the City Park Alliance. This is a designation bestowed on park projects that demonstrate urban park excellence, innovation, and stewardship. Tanner Spring Park is currently featured on City Park Alliance’s website and can be accessed at the link below. Thanks to Portland Parks & Recreation Director Mike Abbaté and Mark Ross, Media Relations, for their help preparing the awards submittal!

http://www.cityparksalliance.org/why-urban-parks-matter/frontline-parks/parks/437

Canemah Bluff named “Trail of the Month”

Portland Monthly is featuring Canemah Bluff Nature Park as its Trail of the Month in the December issue:

http://www.pdxmonthly.com/articles/2016/11/14/trail-of-the-month-high-and-dry-winter-walks-at-canemah-bluff

Canemah Bluff is a 300-acre natural area owned and maintained by Metro within Oregon City. GreenWorks worked with Metro to develop public access to the sensitive oak savannah and woodland and which includes, improving hiking & walking trails, a new boardwalk and a foot-bridge, and scenic overlook. Many thanks to our friends at Metro, Rodney Wojtanik and Alex Perove, for including us in their wonderful project.