GreenWorks Collaborates on New Park Design

After assisting the City of Wilsonville receive an Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) grant in 2011, GreenWorks commenced detailed design work on Engelman Park. Given the current economic challenges Cities and Park districts are facing in our region, this project represents a successful collaborative effort with multiple City departments including planning, engineering, natural resources, and park’s maintenance to plan and design a low maintenance nature-based park that meets the needs of the community. The framework of the neighborhood park revolves around large specimen trees that include Doug Fir, Engelmann Spruce, and a lone Red Oak. The trees and spaces in-between embody the spirit of the park as an urban forest in which sensitively placed paths, native plantings, seating areas, and nature-based playgrounds will be welcomed amenities to the Montebello neighborhood and help connect the residents to nature. Funding for the park not only includes an OPRD grant, but is also comprised of private donations and volunteer efforts which will establish an example for park planning in our new economy. The park is scheduled to open this summer.

New Gervais City Hall Construction Complete

Construction is nearly complete on a new city hall facility for the City of Gervais.  GreenWorks provided site design for the building’s entry way, parking area and pedestrian circulation, including site grading, layout and planting design. The site was designed so that all stormwater from paved surfaces flows through curb cuts along the parking area edges and flows into a vegetated swale, which also serves to break up and soften the impact of the paved surfaces on the site. The design team for the project was led by PIVOT Architecture and included  Balhiser & Hubbard Engineers (Civil), M.R. Richards Engineering, Inc (Structural), Moulds Mechanical Engineers and Hanna Engineering (Electrical). The general contractor on the project is JWC General Contractor LLC and the landscape contractor is SCC Earthworks.

Aspiring Landscape Architecture Students

GreenWorks hosted two aspiring student groups, sharing professional wisdom and educational guidance. For the second year in a row, Claire Maulhardt, landscape designer, has been involved with two student groups that promote the relationship between students and the Landscape Architecture profession; ACE Mentoring program for high school students (Architecture, Construction Management and Engineering) and ASLA Oregon Student Liaison.

In January GreenWorks hosted an ACE Mentoring session geared toward site analysis, site design and the urban landscape. The ACE project this year is focused on a Transit-Oriented Development. Students are designing a Visitor's Center, a Bike Shop, a Cafe, or a Yoga Studio which are part of a larger site adjacent to a light rail station. If you would like to follow the ACE students over the term, the DJC will be regularly posting photos and student narratives on their website's blog.

On Friday February 3rd, GreenWorks hosted three students from the University of Oregon Landscape Architecture Department. Claire Maulhardt and Alex Perove (GreenWorks) toured a few GreenWorks projects with Mike Weir, Leanne Wagener, and Renee Wilkinson (UO Students). Back at the office, the students were exposed to a variety of “on the board” projects and were engaged in conversations with some of the employees. This presented the students with an accurate account of what it would be like to enter into the profession of Landscape Architecture.

Playground Build Time-Lapse Video

Last summer GreenWorks joined Tualatin Hills Parks & Recreation District (THPRD), the Beaverton Optimist Club, Ross Recreation and neighborhood volunteers to install new playground equipment for Forest Hills Park Playground in Beaverton.  THPRD Maintenance Department staff directed GreenWorks and other volunteers through the process, installing Landscape Structures play equipment including 4 swings, a play structure and a mobius climbing wall. Forest Hills Park was one of three area playgrounds slated for new equipment in addition to upgraded ADA accessibility improvements, new site amenities, plantings for screening and shading,  fencing and seat walls.

GreenWorks caught the installation on camera and prepared this time-lapse video of the process:

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqig2Ry9_Sw&w=420&h=315]