Gas works park seattles unusual park seattle bloggers. 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. Seattle gas company plant on lake union, birds eye view, seattle, ca, 1951. 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. The area where the paintball scene was filmed is denoted with a pink x in the above aerial view. 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. Richard haag is best known for his rehabilitation of gas works park in seattle and for. Gas works park seattle united states washington afar.
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. Seattle to gas works park 5 ways to travel via bus, and. Pacific northwest quarterly called the book an exhilarating critique of seattles birth, growth, sickness, health, promise and. 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. 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 seattle gas light company was established in 1873 by a consortium. The last time tim and i visited the park, we overheard a tourist exclaim, wow. Visit gas works park on your trip to seattle or united states. How architect richard haag turned a gas plant into the. Gas works park seattle, wa dji inspire 1, may of 2015. Those neighbors of gas works are horrible bullies who think they own the park. Gas works park, seattle, washington a piece of the. Special park features include a sundial, and a beautiful view of seattle. 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. 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. University of washington press book the landscape architecture of. Gas works park, from 10 things i hate about you, is located at 2101 north northlake way in seattle, washington.
His two designs for the seattle area, bloedel reserve and gasworks park, are among the most celebrated modern american landscape projects. Seattlebased landscape architect richard haag has reshaped his city and his profession as a designer, teacher, and activist. Jog, picnic, fly a kite, or just take in the views at one of the citys most unusual and popular hangouts,gas works park. 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. 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. Gasworks were noted for their foul smell and generally located in the poorest areas of metropolitan areas. Access to lake union is restricted at gas works park, as the lake sediment contains hazardous substances. 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 was listed in the national register of historic places in 20. 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.
The route is a hit list of some of the citys best attractionsmohai, two draw bridges, gas works, fremonts many statues. This park was interesting, and the old gas works equipment was cool. 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. Find cheap deals and discount rates among them that best fit your budget. 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. Gas works is a public park and other people can use it.
Gas works parks polluted ground would pose problems from the time it was built, and far into the future. Gasworks park fireworks,fireworks,seattle fireworks,fireworks seattle gas works park, washington. Entering the water or launching boats from the park is prohibited smc 18. 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. 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. The park was added to the national register of historic places on january 2. On my recent trip, i visited seattle with a local, and she showed us all the cool places outside of downtown seattle.
Browse expedias selection of 2173 hotels and places to stay closest to gas works park. 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. Gasworks park is the worlds last remaining example of what geological engineer. On the north end of lake union, youll find what may be the most. Gas works park, located on a promontory extending from the north. Seattle under the radar tours explore seattle with a local. The park was added to the national register of historic places on january 2, 20, more than a decade after being nominated. A brief overview of the history of gas works park sara. Enjoy this 1976 interview with richard haag about gas works park.
Scroll to the bottom of this post to learn about upcoming opportunities to meet richard haag and author thaisa way. Gas works park seattle all you need to know before you. Seattles strangest park has an equally weird history. If you want to find things to see and do in the area, you might like to visit woodland park zoo and seattle center. In 1956 natural gas became available in seattle for the first time upon the completion of the trans mountain gas pipeline from canada. Gasworks park slog the stranger seattles only newspaper. 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. Save on popular hotels near gas works park, wallingford. 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. 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. 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.
Formerly the site of the seattle gasification plant, the presentday park is the result of highly creative urban renewal projects. You can visit the official gas works park website here. Enjoy this 1976 interview with richard haag about gas works. 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. 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. Flickr is almost certainly the best online photo management and sharing application in the world. The death of gits front woman mia zapata on july 7, 1993, left a gaping hole in seattles punk music scene.
You can easily spend a leisurely day seeing the sights and exploring what this neighborhood has to offer. People reserve park space for weddings all the time, its not unusual. 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. It takes a bit to get out of downtown, but its worth the drive if you have time.
On the shores of lake union opposite downtown seattle, gas works park was. This is the first book to explore these works, both in terms of haags design process and of the impact of these projects. Gas works park has a play area with a large play barn, and big hill popular for flying kites. 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. But they also offer a glimpse into seattles rich history, along with. Way, who studied haag and his work in her 2015 book the landscape. In 1974, the uniquely industrial looking gas works park opens on the northern shore of lake union in the wallingford neighborhood of seattle. The story behind gas works park pan pacific seattle. Discover the evolution of our nations city parks and learn the history of landscapes. From modern space to urban ecological design university of washington press. Mindful travel, silicon valleys evolution, schumann on. Gas works park opens in seattles wallingford neighborhood. You can see an unobstructed view of the north end of downtown, including the space needle.
Gas works park is also a great place to see the seattle skyline. Gas works park tells a story of seattle and its people. Seattles gas works park is haags bestknown victory for innovative urban design. The park was added to the national register of historic places on january 2, 20, more than a decade after being. 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. 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. 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.