Replanting Freeway Park: Preserving a Masterpiece

Abstract

Seattle's Freeway Park, designed by Lawrence Halprin and Associates, opened in 1976 and has become an acknowledged Halprin masterpiece. The park bears the imprint of Halprin's bold geometric concrete abstractions of nature, powerful use of water, and emphasis on choreographing the experiences of users. Over time, Freeway Park's plants became crowded and overgrown, giving the park a dark and shady aspect that made spaces feel cramped and increased perceptions that the park was unsafe. In 2006 the City began a restoration process that included repairing water features and assessing the park's vegetation. This article describes the process of replanting the park and developing a long-term vegetation management plan. It draws conclusions about the need for landscape architects to understand their design work as the installation of living systems, subsequent vegetation maintenance, and management as a form of ongoing design.