Editor's NoteStephanie Stroud
Well done, Washington! This past month, landscape architects in Washington made an incredible impact by energizing our public streets with creative PARK(ing) Day installations and restoring native habitat on National Public Lands Day. On September 18th, spaces normally designated for vehicles became places to relax, draw, create, learn, blow bubbles, listen, and play—demonstrating the power of design and the potential of street space to bring vitality to the places we live. I had the pleasure of being involved in a PARK(ing) Day installation in Seattle, and it was enthralling to see visitors interact with the parking space. Dog walkers, unaware of such an event, remarked how the street they use every day has unlocked potential that they had previously never thought about. Our space became a forum for discussion about safety, outdoor activities, art, and bonding with community—be it fellow employees, neighbors, or tourists from all over the world. Tied to my space, I was unable to visit other installations, but marveled at the remarks those who had visited other transformed parking spots made about the different interpretations. From pop-up bike lanes to places to escape and chill, the different parks each communicated the many different needs for civic space, and each one unleashed the power that could be had in a rectangular section of roadway.
Riding on the coattails of PARK(ing) Day was National Public Lands Day on September 26th. Several landscape architects participated in a Mountains-to-Sound Greenways Trust volunteer event with the National Park Service and local community members of all ages at Lake Sammamish State Park. They transformed blackberry bramble into restored natural habitat and potted over 400 native ninebarks. As we transition into autumn and the winter months, let’s keep this momentum going. Thank you for all of your hard work!
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