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Cal Anderson Park

image by Berger Partnership

Facts

• Project Name: Cal Anderson Park
• Purpose: to replace the open-air Lincoln Reservoir with a new underground lidded reservoir and a 4+ acre park on the reservoir lid.
• Year Built: 2005
• Address: 1635 11th Ave
• Client: Seattle Public Utilities and Seattle Parks and Recreation
• Designer: The Berger Partnership
• Cost: $6,100,000
• Design Commission Reviews:
• • pre design (October 16, 1997)
  • concept design (March 5, 1998)
  • schematic design (October 28, 1999)
  • schematic design (September 6, 2001)
  • design development (September 19, 2002)
  • schematic design update (April 15, 2004)

Design Commission's Influence
The Design Commission believed the lidding of the new reservoir to create a park, the first of several, was a bold and welcome move by the City, especially in this dense, urban area of Capitol Hill which is in need of open space. The Commission foresaw the primary challenge for the design team lay in integrating the new park with the historic character of an abutting Olmstead-designed park.

The Design Commission made several recommendations to the Seattle Department of Parks and Recreation and its design team:

Water feature.

image by Berger Partnetship

Overall Concept and Direction

• develop a water feature (conceptual or literal) on top of the park to show that water is underground
• explore the meaning and interpretation of the historic preservation issues and Olmstead's legacy
• clarify the difference between replica and restoration in the new elements of the park's design
• continue to involve the community in the park's design
• continue to engage an artist in the project's design

Benches face the pond.

image by Seattle Parks and Recreation

Site Planning

• clarify the expected use of spaces
• make the southeast entrance more generous
• don't unnecessarily remove trees
• don't clutter design elements near entrances
• locate the playground so it does not interfere with the lawn
• place benches to encourage social interaction
• place trees on both sides of the playfield shelters
• examine how the lighting design impacts the edges and interior spaces of the park

Gate house.

image by Seattle Parks and Recreation

Design Refinements

• design the gatehouse, a siginificant park feature, so that it is a jewel or lantern on the water
• use material choices to define the expected use of social spaces
• link the two playfield structures
• include a roof over playfield shelter despite perceptions that homeless will sleep there
• lessen the width of the bridge separating the two pools of water
• make the paving at the entrance at the northwest entry similar to other entrances
• use the King County Arts Program to find an artist to to design the cast gates or cast drinking fountain
• design the playfield shelter and use appropriate materials so that it is compatible with the bowl
• don't overdo the historic elements