GreenWorks Visits U of O Architecture Studio

GreenWorkers Dave Elkin and Jeff Boggess were invited to visit Kevin Nute’s fifth year/grad level architecture studio at the University of Oregon in Eugene on October 11th.  The class is in the first stages of a year-long design process to rethink future development of two decommissioned Titan I nuclear missile complexes built in Northern California during the Cold War era. Design challenges the students face include reuse of underground building infrastructure, removal of invasive plant species and remediation of contaminated soils and groundwater.

Dave and Jeff offered advice based on past and current bioremediation efforts (aka treatment wetlands and stormwater management), followed by an engaging round table discussion with the students and professor.

Thanks for the invite Kevin!  Good luck and keep us posted.

Nature Play Emerging at Silver Falls State Park

NATURAL PLAY SETTING Last week construction was in full force at Silver Falls State Park with a crew working on the natural play area. The Bear, Cougar, and Bird themed discovery areas are being developed with unique large log components. The North Falls Nature Play Area was designed around a 1/4 mile loop trail with 15 animal themed areas. The setting and access to natural materials will make this a fantastic project!

CONSTRUCTION AND VOLUNTEERS A four foot diameter fir tree was felled, portioned into pieces, peeled and placed in the natural play area. Half of the tree will become a crawl through 'cub den'. The other half will be hollowed out and become the 'bear cave'. Tons of rocks were arranged into a scramble so kids can climb the rocks like a Cougar would. A group of volunteers braved the rain last weekend and planted hundreds of native trees and shrubs. The play areas instantly felt more alive. The bird blind was also set and the project is one step closer to completion. Look for a grand opening announcement in June 2013.

Oregon Recreation and Park Association Annual Conference

The Oregon Recreation and Park Association (ORPA) recently held its annual conference in Medford, Oregon. GreenWorks staff members that attended included Mike Faha, Robin Craig, Michelle Mathis and Andrea Cameron. The conference offers a variety of activities including workshops, networking, and recreational opportunities. GreenWorks staff members gave presentations on two topics during the conference. Michelle Mathis presented “Ready, Set Go! Nature Play is Spreading Across Oregon” with Jerry Burgess, Capital Project Manager, Tualatin Hills Parks and Recreation District; and Mark Davison, Planning Team Leader, Oregon Parks and Recreation Department. Robin Craig presented “Parks Can Be Key to Economic Development” with Janet Bebb, Principal Regional Planner at Metro.

The Oregon Recreation and Park Association (ORPA) is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization founded in 1954 to serve members of the park and recreation profession.  Our mission is to support our members through training, professional development, legislative advocacy, information and peer-to-peer networking in order to enhance the quality of recreation and parks services.

Engelman Park Nearing Completion

Wilsonville’s next Neighborhood Park, Engelman Park, is nearing completion. Site amenities include paths, native plantings, seating areas, and nature based playgrounds which are nestled amongst a framework of large specimen trees that include Douglas Fir, Engelmann Spruce, and a lone Red Oak.  JP Contractors will be completing the construction next month for the park which will provide a central open space for the Montebello neighborhood.

The Lewis and Clark Festival Park Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and Grand Opening!

After three years of design and construction, more than 100 project partners, residents, and citizens of the community came out to celebrate the accomplishments of The City of The Dalles. Thursday, September 6th marked the dedication of the commercial dock facility and the Lewis and Clark Festival Park. The speakers at the ribbon cutting ceremony included Mayor Jim Wilcox, City Manager Nolan Young, and US Representative Greg Walden. Refreshments were served at the park following the ribbon cutting. You can enter “The Dalles” into the search function of our blog to find past entries which chronicle the construction of the park.

The Park and Dock are located on Union Street and East 1^st Street, The Dalles, Oregon. Come out and see the City’s newest gem for yourself!

Corvallis Wastewater Treatment Wetland

For the past several months, GreenWorks has been working for the City of Corvallis as part of a multi-disciplinary team led by Kennedy/Jenks Consultants to develop a schematic design for a 30-acre treatment wetland on the banks of the Willamette River directly across from the city’s downtown.   The design combines wastewater treatment using the cleansing abilities of plants and micro-organisms, with trails, overlooks, interpretive displays, and other public open space amenities.

Seven to ten million gallons of Class B wastewater will be piped every day from the nearby Corvallis Wastewater Reclamation Plant to the wetland site. At the wetland, the wastewater will be distributed into a series of emergent marsh wetlands before infiltrating through a rocky sub-layer back to the river.  During this infiltration process the primary role of the wetland is to cool the wastewater.  In order to preserve fish habitat, all Oregon municipalities discharging wastewater to natural bodies of water are required by the DEQ to adhere to certain Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) temperature limits.

On August 7^th, the design was presented to Corvallis city officials and the general public.   GreenWorks generated a series of 3D visualizations to convey the design intent where wastewater treatment and public open space intertwine.  Further sessions with city and county review boards are scheduled for the near future.

Minto Island Bicycle & Pedestrian Bridge Concept Design

The City of Salem and Salem’s Urban Renewal Agency are moving forward with plans to connect three major urban parks and more than 20 miles of trails along the Willamette River. The Minto Island Bicycle & Pedestrian Bridge is a tied-arch design spanning 600-feet over the Willamette Slough, connecting the existing path in Riverfront Park to the 900-acre Minto Brown Island Park.

GreenWorks developed a conceptual framework that integrates the bridge terminus in Riverfront Park with the existing circulation, the 30’ diameter “Eco Earth” art globe, as well as the existing park infrastructure. New terraced seatwalls provide additional park seating overlooking the Slough, and are complemented with accent plantings that help anchor the bridge terminus.

Construction could begin as early as Summer 2014. Click here for a link to the City of Salem website, which provides additional information about this exciting project.

Cape Horn Pedestrian Undercrossing Awarded APWA Project of the Year

The American Public Works Association (APWA) has awarded the Cape Horn Pedestrian Undercrossing project the “Project of the Year” award for structures less than $5 million in cost. This Washington Department of Transportation (WSDOT) project, located on SR 14 at the west end of the Columbia River Gorge Scenic Area, provides two safe pedestrian tunnel crossings for trail users of U.S. Forest Service Cape Horn Trail.  GreenWorks, working with Wallis Engineering (civil engineering) and Kramer Gehlen & Associates (structural engineering), provided stone masonry design for the entrance facades of each of the tunnels. The stone used is indigenous to the area and in accord with the natural surroundings. The stone and stone masonry pattern used was given careful consideration to provide consistency with other historic examples of stone masonry construction in the Gorge Scenic Area.  In addition, GreenWorks provided vegetation restoration enhancements at the tunnel entrances using native plants. The Washington Trails Association has stated that the Cape Horn Trail is about to become one of the prized jewels of the Columbia River Gorge Scenic Area.  GreenWorks was honored to be a part of this project which will serve outdoor enthusiasts of the region for generations to come.

For more information on this award and the project, visit the APWA Reporter.

Also, you can enter ‘Cape Horn’ into the search function of our blog to find past Cape Horn Project entries which chronicle the construction.

East Metro Connections Plan

Over the last few weeks, the Troutdale, Wood Village, Gresham, and Fairview Councils and the Multnomah County Commission all unanimously endorsed the East Metro Connections Plan. Metro Council will take action on the East Metro Connections Plan as an agenda item at approximately 3:30 p.m. in Metro Council Chambers on Thursday, August 9, 2012.

GreenWorks assisted Kittleson and Metro in the East Metro Connection Plan as a part of the regional planning effort. The East Metro Connections Plan is the first mobility corridor refinement plan to come out of the 2035 Regional Transportation Plan. The Plan has implemented a new approach to allocating limited transportation dollars to ensure regional transportation investments, support local land use, community and economic development, and the environment. The plan has been a 2‐year effort to understand present and future transportation challenges and prioritize solutions that reflect community values and the future plans and aspirations of each city. The plan includes a systemic look at each of the north/south and east/west arterials in the plan area to identify needs related to:

• Road capacity and safety
• Freight operations, capacity and safety
• Modes such as transit, biking and walking
• Related public and private investment

The process is intended to allow Metro and local governments to be strategic and efficient by prioritizing transportation projects that achieve multiple outcomes. There is approximately $14.4 billion in transportation projects identified in the plan for east county. Project goals include: healthy communities, equitably distributed benefits and burdens, improved access and protection of parks and natural resources, improved transportation system, economic development opportunities and safety and security improvements.

We congratulate Metro, Wood Village, Troutdale, Fairview, Gresham, Multnomah County, ODOT and Kittleson on this milestone planning achievement.

Read more about the East Metro Connections Plan in the Oregon DJC.

Phase Two of Design Begins for Trillium Creek Park

The City of Damascus approved the Concept Plan and funding for the next phase of design and construction for Trillium Creek Park.  GreenWorks completed the Concept Plan in March after a successful public involvement process that included strong support and enthusiasm from the local community.  Construction Documentation will continue through the next nine months in order to bid and construct the project next summer. This project represents a successful collaboration between the City of Damascus and North Clackamas Parks and Recreation District. It will be the first neighborhood park within the City limits.