Sunset Substation’s latest version of the park design

view from path

We’ve done a lot of work since the last posting, mainly with the landscape architect, structural engineer, and the Steering Committee with regards to the funding and legal structure of the community solar, but I wanted to share some of the latest design ideas.

Sunset Substation Park plan

The main design element, after the canopy itself, is the Wedge–a tilted section of topography that creates an artificial valley that the path slides through.  At the high side of the wedge, the gathering space  has access to the equipment room–which can be opened up so that the working of the system can be part of educational seminars about solar technology.  The emergency relief center and storage are also housed inside.

On the top surface of the wedge, we have a shade garden with a mix of species that you’d find in the understory of a mature Northwest forest, with a little stair path up to a lookout.

To the south, under the canopy, there is a area for kids’ play, parkour, and adult stretching and exercise, mixed in with seat walls for parents to hang out while the kids have free reign.

The east and west edges are conceived as more traditional planting areas with dogwoods, stewartias, burning bushes, rhododendrons, hydrangeas and a mix of other species to fill out the park with color year round.  In the next round of renderings, we’ll include the plantings to give a better idea of the character of the park.

Here are some other views:

view from the alley into the park

View under the canopy