Public Art installed at Gresham Center for the Arts Plaza

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Four sculptures, by Seattle based artist Claudia Fitch, were installed at the Gresham Center for the Arts Plaza on Thursday Oct. 21st. The quartet of forms range in height from 18 to 27 feet in height, and serve as colorful beacons at the plaza’s door step.  The work, which Claudia has named FineTunedTule, is based upon the theme of the four arts – visual art, music, literature and dance and is directly inspired by four formal tools/instruments representative of the arts respectively: the paintbrush, the trumpet, the fountain pen and the tutu.

Claudia writes about the work, “I am fascinated by the finely contoured shapes of all these tools (the tulle construction of the tutu being no less precisely delineated). And, like in the verbal pun of the working title, I saw an opportunity in these tool forms to play with their elegant sculptural shapes in a kind of cross referential way, switching functionality with humor, and punning on their visual similarities and differences.”

A public dedication of the public art sculptures will be held Saturday, October 23rd, 2010 from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm, with formal presentations to begin at 12 noon. All are invited to attend. The plaza is located at 401 NE 2nd Street, Downtown Gresham.

Construction of this project, designed by GreenWorks, was completed in June of 2009 and serves as the City of Gresham’s living room, where many public events and performances have already been held. The plaza is the first step in realizing a vision for an arts district centered on the plaza.

Hood River School Receives Recognition in Portland Monthly

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As Hood River School District completes upgrades and building additions to several schools this fall, Hood River Middle school receives recognition for its LEED improvements. (See link to full article below.) In response to a successful bond measure the Hood River School District has been upgrading, renovating and building additions to their elementary, middle and high schools. GreenWorks helped retrofit existing sites and create new spaces and learning landscapes. Site improvements include plazas, playgrounds, stormwater facilities, outdoor classrooms, performance/ amphitheater spaces, learning gardens and associated landscapes. The site work carefully incorporates the needs of students and how they experience, use and enjoy a site while balancing safety, maintenance and character. GreenWorks services included schematic design, construction documents, specifications, LEED documentation, bidding assistance and construction administration.

 

For more information visit:  http://www.portlandmonthlymag.com/home-and-garden/articles/leed-school-0910/

Lane Community College Health & Wellness Center Grand Opening

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GreenWorks is proud to announce the grand opening of the HEALTH & WELLNESS CENTER at LANE COMMUNITY COLLEGE in Eugene, Oregon. The grand opening on September 23, 2010 was well attended and celebrated by Lane Community College. The Center sets a new standard for classroom space where students will experience the benefits of an enhanced learning environment, a deeper understanding of human health and well being, and new inspiration to care for the earth. GreenWorks provided landscape architectural services for the Health and Wellness Center including site planning, hardscape, grading, planting, irrigation, and site furnishings. The exterior courtyard space and rain gardens provides for relaxation, learning, and community. This area connects to the main campus circulation spine flowing through the building entry lobby and out the north side to the Long House and track beyond.

Rainwater is expressed as it comes off the roof through scuppers and rain chains into a series of custom rain basins, which feed the large rain gardens surrounding the building. Custom Ipe decking and flow through planters provide seating opportunities and views of the new native environment. The design creates awareness of the natural world and conserves resources by filtering and storing all of the rainwater on site.

“This signature building is a tall testimony to Lane’s enduring commitment to be at the forefront of the health care education in the region. Students and Faculty alike will excel in this state-of-the art learning environment.” Tony Baker - Opening Door Campaign Chair Lane Community College

City of Damascus Completes Construction of First Green Street

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The construction of the first green street in the center of the City of Damascus on Anderson Road was completed in September. This accomplishment was celebrated recently with a ribbon cutting ceremony, attended by City staff and Councilors, construction contractors (S-2 Contractors, Ashland Brothers Landscapes), the design team (GreenWorks and CH2MHILL) and area residents. The Anderson Road project, 600 feet in length, serves as a pilot project for green public infrastructure development for the City of Damascus. The City hopes to learn from this project as it moves forward with its goal to implement sustainable low impact development practices. All stormwater that falls within the right-of-way is captured, infiltrated and treated on site in stormwater planters, a stormwater swale, pervious asphalt and permeable sidewalk pavers.

Graham Oaks Nature Park Grand Opening

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Join GreenWorks and METRO this Saturday in Wilsonville for the grand opening of Graham Oaks Nature Park.  GreenWorks will be there to celebrate the park's grand opening where METRO will lead tours, a dedication ceremony, showcase student artwork, and highlight the park's history.  Hope to see you there!   For more information visit:

http://www.oregonmetro.gov/index.cfm/go/by.web/id=10365/level=4

http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2010/09/post_19.html

Silver Falls State Park Natural Play Area

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Have you ever wanted to nap like a cougar, climb into an ant hill, build a birds nest or dig for insects like a bear? In the coming year you may be able to do all these things and more in the animal themed interpretive,  natural play area at Silver Falls State Park. GreenWorks has begun work on phase one of the interpretive natural play area at the Park. The idea grew out of the Oregon Parks and Recreation ‘Stepping Stones’ program with the goal to get kids outside and connected with nature.  A 2009 series of workshops with educators, OPRD staff, designers and of course kids, developed themes, ideas and concepts using the Stepping Stones methodology.

The Silver Falls Play area will be animal themed. The young and young at heart can explore a series of play areas situated in a fir and fern wonderland. The first phase of construction will include bear, ant, cougar and bird themed areas. Below are schematic site plans of some of the areas, as well as sketches developed in the design workshops last year. Keep your wild ears open for further design and construction news.

Have a wildly fun and safe Labor Day Weekend.

Graham Oaks Nature Park is Under Construction

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Graham Oaks is Metro’s new regional park and includes an important piece of the Tonquin Regional Trail. (Metro is the Portland, Oregon area regional government including Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington Counties). This 250-acre nature park situated on the western edge of the urban growth boundary (UGB) in Wilsonville, hosts an amazing variety of habitats both existing and restored. Over 150,000 trees and shrubs were planted in the restoration effort.

Construction is full speed ahead as the regional trail piece is installed, plazas are completed and artistic additions are coordinated. Soon you will be able to enjoy expansive views, walk through the forest, sit in the shade of the signature oak tree and spot birds in the wetland. GreenWorks completed schematic design, construction documents and is providing construction administration.

Be on the lookout for a grand opening in September and be ready to enjoy all the site has to offer!

City of Dundee Selects Design for New Wastewater Treatment Plant Nature Park

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Located within the city limits of Dundee, OR, the Dundee Parks and Open Space Plan identified a portion of the new wastewater treatment plant site to become a city-owned natural park. About 40 acres in size, this site has a strategic location along the Willamette River, offering potential for public use and recreation. GreenWorks established a park concept plan along the northern and eastern edges of the property while incorporating three zone designations:

Zone 1: Habitat – a zone dedicated to the Western Pond and Western Painted Turtles

Zone 2: Treatment – a zone committed to the development of the new waste water treatment plant

Zone 3: Recreation – a zone designed for public use / recreation

GreenWorks created three concept alternatives that focused on the public recreation zone, while aligning with the goals and objectives of the two adjacent zones: habitat and treatment. Based on the three concept alternatives and supporting precedent imagery, The Park’s Advisory Committee defined a program and established key elements for a preferred alternative. Some of the key elements include: protecting and restoring recognized priority habitats such as wetlands, riparian forest and shrublands, and Western Oregon oak woodland and oak savannah, and establishing a small area in the northwest corner of the site that provides access for passive recreation, a nature-based play area/playground, and the interpretation of environmental, cultural, and historical values associated with the site.

GreenWorks presented the preferred alternative to Dundee City Council. The concept was accepted in July.

The Dalles Riverfront Connections Pushes Forward

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GreenWorks, working closely with KPFF and Nathan Good Architects, was charged with developing a festival area located on a swath of land in between I-84 and the Union Pacific Railroad on the edge of The Dalles' city limits. Comparable in size to approximately three Portland city blocks, this design incorporates a parking lot accommodating 60-65 vehicles, and a covered picnic pavilion, buttressed by restroom and picnic facilities. This focal point forms a strong presence to Union Street as well as a stage to the "great" lawn in which events could be held. A public art feature is proposed to be located on axis with Court Street. All of these elements combined, help to establish a strong connection with the historic downtown to the Columbia River, enhancing community identity, and encouraging economic development.

The Federal Economic Development Administration recently awarded the City of the Dalles a $2 million grant toward a new marine terminal that will complement this project and boost the city's economic growth.  For more on the grant and the current riverfront improvements in The Dalles visit: http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2010/06/new_marine_terminal_in_the_dal.html

The project is pushing forward with gusto. The team is on track to wrap up construction documents for the commercial dock and festival area by the end of August. The project is scheduled to go out to bid on September 1, with construction starting in November.