Columbia Tech Nature Play Area Taking Shape

The Columbia Tech Nature Play Area is under construction! GreenWorks was hired by PacTrust to design a new nature play area within the Columbia Tech Center in Vancouver, Washington. Columbia Tech Center is a 410-acre mixed use development that includes a 12-acre park that promotes a live-work balance for the community. The new 25,000 square foot playground will become the heart of the park and will be a significant amenity for the development. Our special thanks to PacTrust and contractor, Rotschy Inc.

Mayor Ted Wheeler Declares August 2017 “International Rose Test Garden Centennial Month”

Portland Parks & Recreation is hosting 100 Years of Roses, the International Rose Test Garden Celebration on Saturday, August 26^th, 11:00 AM-8:30 PM. The GreenWorks team will be in attendance to celebrate the completion of the Accessibility Improvements Project, which removes barriers to access and provides accessibility upgrades to meet current ADA standards while maintaining and enhancing the historic character of the International Rose Test Garden. The GreenWorks team would like to acknowledge… PP& R Project Manager, Robin Laughlin PP&R Botanical Specialist/Curator International Rose Test Garden, Harry A. Landers Public Involvement, Maija Spencer Owner’s Representative, Suzanne Carey Contractor, Brown Contracting, Inc., Beau Biron, Project Superintendent

GreenWorks Welcomes Flora Yeh

We are pleased to announce that Flora Yeh has joined GreenWorks as Senior Project Manager. Flora is a licensed landscape architect in Washington State and Texas and is a LEED Accredited Professional. Flora brings experience in a diverse range of projects, from parks and residential gardens to urban design and master planning. Flora is passionate about achieving “a balance of biology, community, and artistry” through her work. Welcome Flora!

Celebrate Salem’s New Pedestrian & Bicycle Bridge

A community parade and ribbon cutting ceremony will be held to celebrate the opening of the new Peter Courtney Minto Island Bridge on Wednesday, August 2. Festivities get underway at 4pm. This project is the culmination of years of planning and effort by the City of Salem and Salem’s Urban Renewal Agency to achieve the community’s vision of connecting three major urban parks and more than 20 miles of trails via two pedestrian bridges over the Willamette River. This goal became a reality in part after the renovation of the historic Union Street Railroad Bridge, which connects West Salem’s Wallace Marine Park with Riverfront Park downtown. However, completion of the Minto Island Bridge and adjoining multimodal trail is the last critical link.

For design and permitting, the City of Salem hired OBEC Consulting Engineers with GreenWorks. The design integrates context-appropriate, safe infrastructure for pedestrians, bicyclists, and other trail users. Special thanks to Bob Goodrich, PE of OBEC and Aaron Kimsey, PE, Senior Project Manager at the City of Salem for including us on this great project.

The Big Float 2017! And more waterfront opportunities with the Eastbank Crescent project!

The Big Float is this weekend! The event is a part of the non-profit Human Access Project, headed by our friend, Will Levenson. Find out more about the event at: http://www.thebigfloat.com/ At THE HAPpenning Big Float Pre-Party last month, Mayor Ted Wheeler, Brett Horner (Portland Parks and Recreation), Kaitlin

Lovell (Bureau of Environmental Services) Mike Lindberg (former City Councilman) and Sallie Edmunds (Bureau of Planning and Sustainability) unveiled the Eastbank Crescent Project. The Eastbank Crescent is located between the Hawthorne and Marquam bridges on the eastbank of the Willamette River. The purpose of the project is to create a recreational destination and a fish and wildlife habitat refuge. The project is a collaborative effort between City of Portland’s Bureau of Planning and Sustainability, Bureau of Environmental Services (BES), Portland Development Commission, Portland Parks and Recreation, GreenWorks, Mayer-Reed, and Flowing Solutions. Based on existing conditions analysis, constraints and opportunities, two concepts were developed including maximizing recreation and maximizing habitat. GreenWorks, with sub consultant, Inter-fluve Inc., was task by BES to enhance in-water nearshore habitat for ESA-listed fish, restore riparian and upland habitat for birds and wildlife, and incorporate river habitat education opportunities. An array of habitat treatments were considered including laying back the riverbank to create more habitat by vegetating with native plants, undulating the shallow water area with alcoves or backchannels to enhance fish habitat and creating viewpoints and access for education. The concepts were presented to stakeholders and the public in spring and summer of 2016 and to City Council on June 7, 2017.

GreenWorks welcomes Matthew Crampton

This week, Matthew Crampton joined GreenWorks as Senior Project Manager. With almost a decade of experience, Matthew brings an energy and passion for context appropriate placemaking on urban design, planning, parks, higher education, and transportation projects. Welcome Matthew!

Poet’s Beach Opens Along the Willamette July 13

The City of Portland will officially open Poet’s Beach along the Willamette River next week, located in South Waterfront Park, under the Marquam Bridge. Will Levenson, head of the non-profit Human Access Project, led the effort to change people’s perceptions of the river and encourage recreation along the waterfront. GreenWorks became involved in the Human Access Project in 2012, and we’re honored to be part of making Will’s vision a reality. Poet’s Beach will be staffed with lifeguards seven days a week through Labor Day and will feature amenities, including picnic tables and restrooms. For more information, see the Human Access Project webpage: http://www.humanaccessproject.com/swimming/willamette_river_beaches/poet_s_beach

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

Mike Danko of the City of Independence Retiring

GreenWorks would like to acknowledge the extraordinary pubic service of Mike Danko, Community Development Director of the City of Independence, Oregon. After almost three decades with the City, Mike is retiring. GreenWorks feels privileged to have worked alongside Mike on numerous projects, including the Downtown Revitalization Project, Fountain project, Amphitheater, Veterans Memorial, Parks and Open Space Master Plan, Independence Landing, and the Soccer Complex. A true visionary, Mike’s commitment to community services is an inspiration to us all. Best Wishes, Mike!

Pictured here: Mike Danko and Mayor John McArdle

Happy Solstice!

In the Northern Hemisphere, peak sunlight usually occurs on June 20, 21, or 22 of the year, giving us the Summer Solstice. In Portland, that means 15.5 to 16 hours of daylight. Enjoy the extra daylight with a bike ride along the Trolley Trail, which can be reached from TriMet’s SE Park Station on the Portland-Milwaukie Orange Line. GreenWorks provided landscape architectural services for the final design of the Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail. Along the trolley trail section, GreenWorks provided trail improvements including plant selections. For more information on the Orange Line: http://catchtheorange.com/#/stations