College of Built Environments at the University of Washington.
Students to draft plans for parks as part of architectural class
Tuesday April 2008
During the Skagit Valley Tulip festival two weeks ago, a slightly different gathering of camera and sketch book wielding people took to the boardwalk and streets. While the other out-of-towners gazed at bulbs, these UW CAUP students admired stormwater drains, and the utilities running through Gilkey Park instead. In town to draw, photograph, and gain inspiration, these Landscape Architecture students are part of a quarter-long project funded by a $10,000 grant from the state Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development to "develop a master plan for all five street ends that ties into a boardwalk," according to Chad Wichers, CAUP Landscape Architecture Lecturer. Bo Miller, a member of the Parks Commission who was also on hand to speak to the students about the town's history said that he hopes to use the student designs to get grant money to build them, and is optimistic that the street end parks will be "revamped", as usually getting money for plans is the hardest part. The town of La Conner and The UW were able to secure the grant for the project earlier this year. While the students are still learning, and their plans will not have the level of detail necessary to actually build, the mix of second-year bachelor's and master's students seem quite serious about their work. Second-year Landscape Architecture undergrad Tom Roberts commented, " What they are talking about now is connecting the boardwalks on the water so you can have this experience that you have on First Street ." Carrie Barnes, a second-year master's student agreed, "It would be such a different feel if it was connected." Barnes and other master's students have some experience already, having worked on a project in New Orleans, while the undergrad students have also developed plans for Seattle's International District, and the Shoreline town center.
For the complete story, please visit the Skagit Herald online.