The play areas were alive with activity, folks explored the elevated, accessible pathway that zigzags through the urban wetland and, overall, a sense of joy and gratitude filled the air. Community members shared personal stories about the journey to make this dream a reality; a ceremonial ribbon-cutting marked the beginning of a new era for the park and neighborhood.
As landscape architect for the park, Mayer/Reed’s design relied heavily on public input. The resulting programming reflects the neighborhood’s passion for accessibility, inclusivity, community gathering and environmental protection. Revamped and ready for exploration – Errol Heights Park has something for everyone.
Led by ZGF Architects and Andersen Construction, with landscape architecture by Mayer/Reed, the project includes a new 11-story building with roof garden, a public plaza, upgrades to the current drop-off and parking areas and an access trail providing a much-needed connection between SW US Veteran’s Hospital Road and SW Lower Canyon Drive.
Site plan by Mayer/Reed
The design commission commended the team’s approach to the challenging, sloped site and applauded the thoughtful touches that embed the new addition into the existing campus and landscape. “I can’t think of a more skillful, subtle way to do it than the way you have,” stated Commission Chair Brian McCarter. “It fits like a glove.”
A ribbon-cutting ceremony on May 4 celebrated the recent opening of the Shiley-Marcos Center for Design & Innovation at the University of Portland. Designed by Opsis Architecture, with wayfinding and donor recognition by Mayer/Reed, the building embodies the innovative spirit of Donald P. Shiley (UP alum and engineer) who attributed his professional success to collaboration and hands-on experimentation. An installation featuring the building’s namesake couple, Donald Shiley and Darlene Marcos Shiley, asks, “What if I followed my imagination? What if I wasn’t afraid to fail?” – encouraging future engineers to use the building’s makerspaces, labs and tools to tinker, dream and innovate.
The Columbia River Gorge, an 85-mile-long national scenic corridor between Oregon and Washington, is revered for its spectacular vistas, stunning waterfalls, basalt cliffs and wildflower meadows. But while the numerous trails and viewpoints within this natural wonder are preserved for public use, few places are widely accessible.
Friends is taking an accessible and inclusive approach to recreation development on two recently acquired properties in Washington: Cape Horn and Catherine Creek. Dubbed the Gorge Accessibility Project, this initiative invests in community partnerships to identify, understand and overcome the barriers people experience when visiting natural recreation areas. The parcel at Cape Horn, a former homestead with dramatic views and connections to Cape Horn Trail, is the first of the two projects.
RENDERING BY MAYER/REED FOR FRIENDS OF THE COLUMBIA GORGE
To develop a concept for the Cape Horn site, Friends enlisted Mayer/Reed, DAO Architecture and an external steering committee to provide input and feedback. The team had several important questions to explore. How do we transform this site into a recreation space that is “open to all”? What makes a place welcoming to historically marginalized groups? And how do we ensure that everyone, regardless of background or ability, can partake in the joys of this iconic landscape?
Because barriers are not always physical, our team was determined look beyond the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to uncover the emotional and cultural barriers that hold people back from visiting Gorge recreation sites. Over the course of a year, we engaged in listening sessions with the steering committee (a diverse group composed of people with disabilities, families with young children, representatives of various advocacy organizations, as well as Black, Indigenous and People of Color) and members of the community. Their feedback was critical in helping the team understand what is important to people when visiting natural places and what stands in their way.
Themes that emerged included designing for a range of experiences and abilities, considering the diverse languages spoken in the region and habitat protection and restoration. The resulting concept for Cape Horn strikes a balance between developed recreational amenities and restored natural habitat. It includes a system of loop trails that will connect to the already established Cape Horn Trail (with plenty of benches to rest along the way), clear signage in English and Spanish and a large gathering pavilion for people to connect.
PLAN BY MAYER/REED FOR FRIENDS OF THE COLUMBIA GORGE
The vision is to create a safe and welcoming space for all at Cape Horn. This project will enable diverse communities to experience the beauty and wonder of the Gorge in ways they may not have before. Being a part of this team, and listening to and learning from our diverse community, has given us the rare opportunity to design a beautiful, natural, and universally accessible recreation space – something we hope will soon be the norm rather than the exception.
