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.

Cascade Avenue Under Construction in Sisters, Oregon

Construction of the Sisters Cascade Avenue (US 20) streetscape project is making progress. This project will increase walkability downtown while expressing the identity of Sisters.

Poetry at the Beach Grand Opening

Come join GreenWorks and the Human Access Project (HAP) for Poetry at the Beach! Mike Faha, Principal of GreenWorks and current board member of HAP, and GreenWorks Landscape Designer Jeff Boggess assisted with the design of this poetry walk. GreenWorks is excited to support Will Levenson as Director of the Human Access Project and we look forward to further collaborations. See details of the event below.

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.

GreenWorks Teaches HS Students About LID Stormwater Standards

GreenWorks is preparing a master plan for Clackamas High School that identifies potential stormwater low impact development retrofit projects for Clackamas County Water Environment Services.  The purpose is to ultimately build one or more projects (such as rain gardens, green roofs, structural soils, etc.) that can visibly demonstrate the benefits of low impact development practices to students, teachers, parents and the general public. As part of the project, we are interacting with high school science classes, telling students about Low Impact Development (LID) and our specific project, as well as gathering student input on project options. Hopefully, the students will have opportunities to help with planting and long-term care of the projects.

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.

GreenWorks Awarded by Oregon Community Trees

GreenWorks was recently honored with the Organization Award by Oregon Community Trees! Check out their website for more details.

Memorial Parking Lot Redesign & Expansion Project Completed

Construction was recently completed for the redesigned and expanded parking lot that serves the lower area of Memorial Park in the City of Wilsonville. The new design, developed by GreenWorks and Wallis Engineering with the City of Wilsonville, implements a new vehicular circulation pattern that better utilizes the space while also enhancing pedestrian access routes through the parking area and to the park.

The new design is also sensitive to mature existing conifer trees in the parking area, many of which were saved and incorporated into the design of the new parking area. The project also features five vegetated stormwater treatment swales that stormwater flows into from the paved areas of the parking area.

Prior to the project, stormwater from the parking area had been piped directly to an adjacent creek. The contractor on the project was Kersey Construction, Inc.

Trillium Creek Park is Nearing Completion

With an anticipated opening date in late May or early June, Trillium Creek Park will be the first substantial neighborhood park in the City of Damascus. The park is within the City limits and will be part of the extensive park's system of North Clackamas Parks and Recreation District (NCPRD). GreenWorks worked closely with NCPRD, the City, and community to develop the design of this one-acre neighborhood park from concept through construction which includes an inclusive playground, universally accessible walking paths, a picnic shelter, basketball court, seating areas, and native plantings.