Oregon City Green Street Construction Nearing Completion

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As part of the realignment of Warner-Milne Road at the Molalla Avenue intersection, the City of Oregon City hired a team with GreenWorks to design a rain garden in a vacated portion of the right-of-way that will treat stormwater runoff from the adjacent heavily-travelled roadways. A series of large serpentine Corten steel fins meander through the site, articulating the stormwater channel and creating a striking contrast to the lush rain garden plantings. The first of its kind in Oregon, this rain garden incorporates prominent sculptural elements that highlight the City's committment to sustainability.
The project also consists of various streetscape improvements including new street trees, decorative tree and trench grating, and permeable concrete sidewalks.

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.

UO Design Camp Wraps Up Week 1 with a Focus on Landscape Architecture

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Week One wrapped up with more design foundations and a focus on the field of Landscape Architecture. Claire and the other instructors lead campers on a walking tour of Portland. Along the way, the students were divided into teams and tasked with creating performance installations at different sites based on water-themed words such as meander, rush, and babble. Check out the UO Design Camp blog for more details about the day’s events.

http://uodesigncamp.wordpress.com/2010/07/30/day-four-july-30th/