This was the final project for a Landscape Architecture Design Studio, in which we were tasked with designing a public park space where the UW Police Department is currently housed, on the shoreline of Portage Bay. The project involved exploring the site history, during which I became interested in the story of Cheshiahud, such an important figure in our city’s history that the Lake Union Trail was recently renamed after him. Cheshiahud was buried at Evergreen Washelli cemetery next to his first wife Sbeilsdot. I was unable to find details on the final resting place of Cheshiahud’s second wife, Tleboletsa, and thought it would be nice for her to have a park next to Cheshiahud’s trail.
In hindsight, my design choices lacked a bit of subtlety, that I think I might have found with more time and training (we had two weeks).
Tleboletsa Park includes a grand view of Portage Bay, continuing an axis beginning at the UW Fishery Sciences Building. A spiral is the unifying shape in this regenerative design, as the idea is not to return to place you started, but improve ecological function with each cycle. The spiraled bioswales improve stormwater quality while providing pollinator habitat, and the protected bay with floating wetlands provides migrating salmon with food and rest on their journey. The bay arms, formed by a massive-scale Canoe and Train, reference the cultural edge created by Europeans settling Duwamish lands, while shielding the site from street noise, boat noise, and waves. A broad street level terrace provides bike racks, seating, and room for Street Food vendors. The salmon-shaped boardwalk includes several staircases and an ADA elevator. The second terrace provides more seating, access to the upper spiral and waterfall, and a play structure. The restored, sparse forest to the West includes a mix of native conifers and shrubs, with a running path descending into the site from street level. The third terrace showcases the lower spiral and allows beach access, where shore armoring has been replaced by soft gravel and large woody debris.
board & model
