A Day In The Life Of A Landscape Architect

On Friday, February 2nd GreenWorks hosted three students for the University of Oregon’s Landscape Architecture Department for their Shadow Mentor Day. This annual program invites students to visit firms and agencies throughout Oregon and Washington to experience what a day in the life of a professional landscape architect looks like.

The day kicked off with a tour around the GreenWorks office and an introduction to the team, followed by presentations about current work on the boards. There was an opportunity for the students to share their portfolios, ask questions, and even get messy with a mini design charrette for a current waterfront project.

The students were invited to meetings, as well as accompanied GreenWorks staff on site visits to nearby Spring Park and Westmoreland.

Later, as the students wound down at a hosted happy hour, they shared stories from their experiences on the job and networked with professionals in the local industry.

Westmoreland Featured in Outdoor Art Installation Article

Adam Kuby, artist and our partner on the Westmoreland Park Nature Play Area, sent us this link to an interesting article about public art. Westmoreland Park is featured. Thanks Adam! http://redtri.com/the-coolest-kid-friendly-outdoor-art-installations/slide/1

Planning and Design Currently Underway for Gateway Green Open Space

Gateway Green is a 35-acre parcel of mostly vacant land and located at the intersection of two interstate highways in Portland, Oregon and adjacent to the Gateway Urban Renewal area. The land is owned by the City of Portland Bureau of Parks and Recreation. Planning and design is currently underway for Phase One development of the property. The project began as an effort of local land owners and open space advocates in an effort to catalyze economic growth in outer east Portland. On a pro-bono basis, designers collaborated with local stakeholders to create a program and vision for Gateway Green. Through conversations and input from technical experts and the community a vision for the site was developed that identified the following project goals:

• Improving environmental conditions, especially water and air quality, and wildlife habitat.
• Providing a regional recreational destination, especially for bicycle and pedestrian opportunities.
• Providing open space and a possible branding opportunity for adjacent Gateway Regional Center and surrounding neighborhoods.
• Highlighting Portland’s evolving sustainable marketplace and expressing our region’s use of sustainable design solutions.

As part of the six-month project the design team conducted a one-day community charrette to develop the design of the initial concept plan. After development of the preliminary vision the team conducted technical review meetings to ensure the technical viability of concept options, approaches, details, and strategies. A final presentation of the revised vision plan was then presented to the community. The Gateway Green vision plan demonstrates a commitment to sustainability, puts the property to better use for the good of the community, and sets an example for reclamation and reuse of surplus or underused properties around the country.

Confluence Site Dedication

The Confluence Project recently held a dedication for the Confluence Listening Circle  at Chief Timothy Park near Clarkston, Washington. Check out the video below to see highlights from the ceremony. You can find out more about the project here.

Dedication Ceremony for Confluence Listening Circle at Chief Timothy Park from Confluence Project on Vimeo.

City Park Display at the 2015 International Trails Symposium

Through its sponsorship of the 2015 International Trails Symposium, Greenworks PC created a ‘City Park’ exhibit. The display allows visitors to experience a variety of material and plant types, while transitioning from a 'Natural' to an 'Urban' setting. We would like to thank our partners, Mutual Materials and Sustainable Northwest Wood, for not only supplying us with materials, but for also pitching in some sweat in creating the exhibit. The International Trail Symposium is currently taking place at the Oregon Convention Center through Wednesday, May 20th. Stop by and check it out!

You can also join our very own Gill Williams for a tour of the 4T Trail on Tuesday from 1 pm - 5 pm. Registration information can be found here.

Green Innovations from Portland BES

Portland Bureau of Environmental Services has created a video about green innovations within the city. You can check out the video on their website or below.

Oregon City's Jughandle Project Breaks Ground

Oregon City’s Jughandle Project broke ground last week kicking off construction for a project that aims to improve safety and reduce traffic congestion on Highway 213 at the I-205 interchange.  GreenWorks joined the City of Oregon City, ODOT, the Federal Highway Administration, METRO, Clackamas County, OBEC Consulting Engineers, and MOWAT Construction for the celebration last week in Oregon City.   GreenWorks developed planting and irrigation plans for this gateway into Oregon City. More information can be found here: http://www.jughandleproject.com/

Congrats to our teammates and the organizations involved that make this project a success, one that improves Highway 213 while building the area’s infrastructure and facilitating future economic growth. “

Join Us for PARK(ing) Day 2009

Come see the 1 day park at NW 2nd and Couch... 9am to 5pm

  GreenWorks is proud to work with Metro as they participate in the annual, one-day global PARK(ing) Day event.  More from Metro:

"Artists, activists and communities will collaborate to transform metered parking spots in cities everywhere into temporary public parks or “park(ing)” spaces. Park(ing) Day is a powerful and creative way to re-imagine the potential of our public places by demonstrating the value of parks and natural areas, rethinking the way greenspace can happen, and helping to improve the quality of urban wildlife and human habitat. This year, Metro is tapping into the creative energy and celebrated momentum of this excellent event to educate our region’s residents about The Intertwine (the ever-growing regional network of integrated parks, trails and natural areas that will one day soon be the world’s greatest system of its kind!) and its web site launch.  Come check out our space at NW 2nd and Couch (or other Intertwine locations in Beaverton, Lake Oswego, Gresham and Vancouver, Washington) and learn more…"  

:: Visit the PARK(ing) Day Network - Portland  :: View PARK(ing) Day 2009 - Portland Metro Area regionwide map here.

 

Gresham plaza artist to talk about public art

From the Daily Journal of Commerce - 01.13.09 The artist chosen to create art elements for Gresham’s Center for the Arts Plaza will be at the 4th Street Brewing Company on Jan. 28 to discuss her work in public art. Claudia Fitch was awarded $175,000 to create art to mark the Third Street entrance to the GreenWorks PC designed-plaza, which will act as a “living room” for the city. Fitch has designed a variety of public art projects, including art for Qwest Field in Seattle. At the presentation, she will discuss her previous work and her strategy for approaching public art projects. Her artwork for the plaza is expected to be completed and unveiled in August.

Fitch’s commission was donated by Dwight Unti, Sue O’Halloran, Mike McKeel, Steve Thoren, John Kilian and the Gresham Art Advisory Committee in memory of Walter C. Calvert. The presentation will be held at 77 N.E. Fourth St., in Gresham, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. The $1.5 million Center for the Arts Plaza will be a freestanding town square at the center of Gresham’s historic downtown. The project design includes decorative pavers, in-ground LED lighting and a public fountain, as well as a performance and events facility. Project construction began in fall 2008 by Konell Construction, which plans to finish the plaza early this year.