Kʰunamokwst Park Has Begun Construction

The next park in NE Portland has begun construction and has been officially named. Formerly known as the Werbin Property, the site will be called Kʰunamokwst Park (pronounced KAHN-ah-mockst). Kʰunamokwst is Chinook wawa for “together”. Chinook wawa is the language commonly used by the original people of this area. The groundbreaking ceremony took place on August 7th with Portland Parks Commissioner Amanda Fritz and Director Mike Abbate, joined by neighbors and project partners, to unveil the name and officially celebrate the beginning of construction of the first developed park in the Cully neighborhood. GreenWorks was the prime designer for the park starting from the Master Plan through construction. Features of the park include a combination of traditional and nature-based play, skatedot, public art, a modest picnic shelter with an eco-roof, walking paths, sustainable stormwater facilities, half-street improvements, native plantings, and an open lawn for neighborhood events and passive recreation.

Trillium Creek Park Grand Opening

GreenWorks recently celebrated the grand opening of Trillium Creek Park­, the first neighborhood park developed in the City of Damascus. The City, in partnership with Metro and North Clackamas Parks and Recreation District, developed this new park through the 2006 natural areas bond. The process included a successful open house series to inform the public of the park project, solicit feedback on desired program elements, and select options for a preferred design. The unique design carefully uses topography and the placement of elements to maximize the small, one-acre development footprint. The layout provides a comfortable walking path around the perimeter to preserve open space with artfully located elements that provide excellent views and intimate spaces, and also prevent competition between uses. Other key features include a universally accessible bridge that extends out onto the elevated playground structure. This launching point onto the playground structure is a focal point of the park, composed of locally-sourced boulders and plantings along the edge, which enhance the play environment and blend into the natural surroundings. The park, which is adjacent to Trillium Creek, provides a much needed and long awaited place for the community to gather, play, and connect to nature.

Westmoreland Nature Play Area is Taking Shape

Westmoreland has seen significant construction progress in recent weeks. Concrete sidewalks are currently being poured that will eventually provide the main, accessible spine through the playground. This project has been several years in the making to provide Portland Parks and Recreation a pilot project for how to design, build, and maintain a nature-based playground. The design team’s artist, Adam Kuby, will be installing artistic log climbing features in July before the playground is complete.

Pioneer Park Dedication Ceremony

Pioneer Park, located in the Tualatin Hills and Recreation District (THPRD), embodies some unique natural features including approximately 7.5 acres of wetlands, stream corridors, and upland forest. The park was redeveloped with funding from the district’s 2008 voter-approved bond measure and is an amenity for the surrounding neighborhood. GreenWorks provided general park upgrades, recommendations for increased habitat value, and an approach to stewardship while creating a memorable and enjoyable recreation space. The park improvements respect the natural amenities on site including hundreds of mature native trees and a seasonally wet field. The design team followed City of Beaverton, Clean Water Services, Division of State Lands and Army Corps of Engineers guidelines for development in sensitive ecosystems.

From 11am to 3pm on Saturday, May 10th, THPRD hosted a Nature Day in the Park, where park users could learn about the park’s resident animals, and explore the forest and fields in search of wildlife. Face painting, hotdogs, and a ribbon cutting ceremony officially commemorated the completion of the park improvements. Come experience and play in this new community space!

From SW Walker Road, go north on SW Meadow Drive until it meets NW Pioneer Road. The park is on the northwest corner of the intersection.

Groundbreaking at Trillium Creek Park

 

City of Damascus and North Clackamas Parks and Recreation District recently celebrated the groundbreaking at Trillium Creek Park. Trillium will be the City’s first full-fledged neighborhood park consisting of a large playground, basketball court, picnic area, and open lawn all developed within a one acre footprint. The layout of the park provides a balance of uses and a playground that is inclusive for children of all abilities. The playground design incorporated an accessible path that will lead children to an high point on the site connecting them to a playground structure that sits five-feet high above the surrounding playground.

After working with the City, NCPRD, and community over the last two years developing the concept and construction drawings for the park, we are excited to see the project moving forward and getting built. T-Edge Construction is the contractor.

Pioneer Neighborhood Park Construction Update

The rains came early this year and are proving to be a challenge for construction, but we are slowly making progress. Below are some photos that document the development. The “welcome plaza” is formed and ready for concrete, the play area is waiting for drier weather so the contractor can auger the footing holes for the play equipment, and the nature play area is beginning to take shape with the installation of exploration logs and boulders. The delivery of this friendly red-legged frog will enhance the character and add to the creative fun in the nature play area. The crushed rock forest loop path is complete.

Construction is scheduled to wrap up mid-November. Stay tuned for future updates as we work toward improving this neighborhood park.

General Contractor: Earthworks Excavation & Construction, Inc.

Client: Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District

Check out what’s on our radar in the Portland area!

Cully Neighborhood Park

Portland Parks and Recreation is moving forward with a neighborhood park in the Cully area this spring. The park will include a nature play area, picnic facilities and a Skate Dot. For more information about the park and GreenWorks’ role in its development,click here.

Gateway Green Campaign

After years of grassroots campaigning, there is opportunity to transform public land into Gateway Green, a multi-use off road bike park. The Gateway Green Campaign is underway as organizers hope to raise $100,000 in donations necessary for the project. Click here to read more and participate.

GreenWorks Uses Werbin Park Project as Teaching Tool for Youth Program

As part of the Werbin Park development with the City of Portland Parks & Recreation, GreenWorks is supporting the Cully Neighborhood’s commitment to social equity. GreenWorks is providing outreach for underprivileged neighborhood children who, ultimately, are the true clients of this new park. The Werbin Park project is being used as a platform for teaching kids in the program about park design and the building process.  Partnered with Verde and Hacienda’s Expresiones after school program which engages 5th, 6th and 7th graders during the summer, GreenWorks is providing a series of events with Expresiones. The program consists of six weeks of activities including a site visit to Werbin Park and other similar parks. On the first field trip to GreenWorks, students learned about the design process, saw how construction drawings are put together, and participated in activities to develop their design skills. GreenWorks employees Ben Johnson, Claire Maulhardt and Jeff Boggess planned the interactive office visit with the students. GreenWorks is working with Travis Ruybal (City of Portland), Tony Defalco and Nestor Campos (Verde), and Anna Gordon (Expresiones, Hacienda) in planning the summer field trips.

AM Kennedy Park Construction Update

The weather is finally dry and AM Kennedy Park improvements are making progress. The Bridge and street improvements were installed during the winter/spring and now the park elements including the playground, picnic area, and sports field are taking shape. The park is located off of Beaverton Hillsdale HWY in Beaverton in the Tualatin Hills Parks and Recreation District (THPRD).

Salem's Minto Island Bicycle and Pedestrian Bridge in the News

Click here to read about the history and overview, as well as some of the technical issues surrounding this transformative project in downtown Salem.