Gas works park the adaptation of industrial ruins in a contemporary park has an important precedent in richard haag associates gas works park peter reed curator for groundswell, an exhibition of the museum of modern art in new york city. Show off your favorite photos and videos to the world, securely and privately show content to your friends and family, or blog the photos and videos you take with a cameraphone. Gas works park is also a great place to see the seattle skyline. From modern space to urban ecological design university of washington press. Puget sound maritime historical society 10231 from a place of natural beauty to an industrial wasteland and back again the story of gasworks park mirrors the story of lake union. Gas works parks polluted ground would pose problems from the time it was built, and far into the future.
The route is a hit list of some of the citys best attractionsmohai, two draw bridges, gas works, fremonts many statues. If landscape architect richard haag had stopped with gas works park and bloedel reserve in seattle, washington, these two projects alone would have assured his place in american landscape architectural history, marc treib asserts in the forward to the new book, the. Gas works park seattle, wa dji inspire 1, may of 2015. Riding around lake union is the best way to appreciate how its threelobed structure was shaped by the ship canal, a waterway that was dug through the area while cheshiahud carved canoes on the shoreline.
University of washington press is republishing uw english professor roger sales wellloved 1976 reflections on his city, its history and its possible futures, seattle, past to present. If you want to find things to see and do in the area, you might like to visit woodland park zoo and seattle center. The site had been a gas manufacturing plant from 1907 to 1956, and the park retains the fivestory high cracking towers and other structures from the smokebelching days of industrial use. Richard haag is best known for his rehabilitation of gas works park in seattle and for a series of remarkable gardens at the bloedel reserve on bainbridge island. You can easily spend a leisurely day seeing the sights and exploring what this neighborhood has to offer. On december 21 of that year, the gasworks on browns point shut down for good, much to the relief of its wallingford neighbors, who had complained for decades about air and water pollution from the plant. His two designs for the seattle area, bloedel reserve and gasworks park, are among the most celebrated modern american landscape projects.
At the hiram chittenden locks in the summer, the young salmon are making their way out to sea, and the adults are returning to navigate the fish ladder on their way home, but there is plenty to see and learn in winter too. On the north end of lake union, youll find what may be the most. Seattlebased landscape architect richard haag has reshaped his city and his profession as a designer, teacher, and activist. With an international reputation as a prototype for industrial site conversions, gas works park has received.
Gas works park was formerly known under the seattle gas light company and soon changing its name to the seattle gas company in 1930 up until 1956 when it was disbanded. Find cheap deals and discount rates among them that best fit your budget. This park was interesting, and the old gas works equipment was cool. On the shores of lake union opposite downtown seattle, gas works park was. Browse expedias selection of 2173 hotels and places to stay closest to gas works park. In 1956 natural gas became available in seattle for the first time upon the completion of the trans mountain gas pipeline from canada. The area where the paintball scene was filmed is denoted with a pink x in the above aerial view. Gas works park, from 10 things i hate about you, is located at 2101 north northlake way in seattle, washington. Gas works park opens in seattles wallingford neighborhood.
The last time tim and i visited the park, we overheard a tourist exclaim, wow. Gas works park is a beautiful way to remember a toxic past how a groundbreaking cleanup transformed a former gas plantand created one of seattle s most beloved parks by hallie golden apr 12. Gas works park seattle all you need to know before you. Gas works park seattle united states washington afar. The seattle gas light company was established in 1873 by a consortium. As for the plant itself that was integral in giving large amounts of power for lighting, heating and other various uses through its coalto gas machinery. Seattle to gas works park 5 ways to travel via bus, and. Seattles strangest park has an equally weird history. This park has a wonderful view of seattle and is a great place to sit down with a book or to go for a run there are plenty of running trails that go through the park.
Gasworks park fireworks,fireworks,seattle fireworks,fireworks seattle gas works park, washington. The park was added to the national register of historic places on january 2, 20, more than a decade after being. This is the first book to explore these works, both in terms of haags design process and of the impact of these projects. Special park features include a sundial, and a beautiful view of seattle. Formerly the site of the seattle gasification plant, the presentday park is the result of highly creative urban renewal projects. People reserve park space for weddings all the time, its not unusual. Gas works park, located on a promontory extending from the north. Gas works park has a play area with a large play barn, and big hill popular for flying kites. Enjoy this 1976 interview with richard haag about gas works. Those neighbors of gas works are horrible bullies who think they own the park. Mindful travel, silicon valleys evolution, schumann on. Richard haag is best known for his rehabilitation of gas works park in seattle and for. Gas works park tells a story of seattle and its people. Pacific northwest quarterly called the book an exhilarating critique of seattles birth, growth, sickness, health, promise and.
But they also offer a glimpse into seattles rich history, along with. The gits, known for energetic live performances and zapatas passionate vocals, had just returned from a successful west coast tour, and stardomor at least a major record dealseemed the next step. You can see an unobstructed view of the north end of downtown, including the space needle. The history of the site dates back to 1906, when the seattle gas company constructed a plant on the shores of lake union to extract. Gas works park seattles unusual park seattle bloggers. How a groundbreaking cleanup transformed a former gas plantand created one. As for the plant itself that was integral in giving large amounts of power for lighting, heating and other various uses through its coaltogas machinery. Gasworks park is the worlds last remaining example of what geological engineer.
Today, however, gas works park is praised as a progressive example of adaptive reuse and has become one of the most popular recreation facilities in the seattle area today with a panoramic view of downtown seattle. This is the first book to explore these works in detail, both in terms of haags design process and of the impact of these projects on other architects. I really didnt know anything about gas works park, besides the fact that it was on plenty of things to do in seattle lists i read, and that it used to be a real gas plant. A brief overview of the history of gas works park sara. A brief history of gas works in seattle 1971 gas works park as a concept, rendered by dale jorgensen each property shall be recognized as a physical record of its time, place, and.
The first thing you notice when you enter wallingfords gas works park is a family of giant, tim burtonworthy rusty structures on the top of a hill. How architect richard haag turned a gas plant into the. Way, who studied haag and his work in her 2015 book the landscape. Scroll to the bottom of this post to learn about upcoming opportunities to meet richard haag and author thaisa way. Our own gas works park is the sole survivor of 1400 gasification plants in the united states alone. The photos and text excerpted below provide a brief history of one of haags best know public works, the rehabilitation of gas works park in seattle. Enjoy this 1976 interview with richard haag about gas works park. Cultural remnants of gasworks include many streets named gas street or gas avenue and groups or gangs known as gas house gang, such as the 1934 st. Jog, picnic, fly a kite, or just take in the views at one of the citys most unusual and popular hangouts,gas works park.
Flickr is almost certainly the best online photo management and sharing application in the world. Richard haag, who founded the uw department of landscape architecture in 1964, designed and reinvented the wallingford peninsula we now know as gas works park. Seattle under the radar tours explore seattle with a local. You can visit the official gas works park website here. Discover the evolution of our nations city parks and learn the history of landscapes. Gas works is a public park and other people can use it. Gasworks park slog the stranger seattles only newspaper. Purchased by the city of seattle, and designed by award winning landscape architect richard haag, the park pays homage to the history of the gas plant by maintaining a. After 50 years of operation, the seattle gas light companys gasification plant began its conversion into one of the most iconic, quirkiest public parks in the country in 1956.
Gasworks were noted for their foul smell and generally located in the poorest areas of metropolitan areas. It takes a bit to get out of downtown, but its worth the drive if you have time. The park was added to the national register of historic places on january 2. Save on popular hotels near gas works park, wallingford. Gas works park was listed in the national register of historic places in 20. In 1974, the uniquely industrial looking gas works park opens on the northern shore of lake union in the wallingford neighborhood of seattle. Gas works park rises above the north shore of lake union, a vaulted rampart of rusted towers and pipelines that serve as a testament to a bygone industrial age once a productive gasification. Entering the water or launching boats from the park is prohibited smc 18. Visit gas works park on your trip to seattle or united states.
The park was added to the national register of historic places on january 2, 20, more than a decade after being nominated. A brief history of gas works in seattle a study of form the early structures use simple roof shapes, mainly gable roofs and dutch hip roofs ca. Access to lake union is restricted at gas works park, as the lake sediment contains hazardous substances. Gas works park, seattle, washington a piece of the. It offers an amazing view of the city, which looks just as good at night as it does during the day so whenever you choose to go will be perfect. The story behind gas works park pan pacific seattle. The death of gits front woman mia zapata on july 7, 1993, left a gaping hole in seattles punk music scene. University of washington press book the landscape architecture of. Seattles gas works park is haags bestknown victory for innovative urban design. Seattle is home to one of the few industrial reclamation parks in the world. Seattle gas company plant on lake union, birds eye view, seattle, ca, 1951. A brief history of a seattle landmark university of.