This initial bioengineering drawing was used to depict natural weaving techniques to stabalize slopes, and it served as an inspiration for the design team.

This is the Indian Creek Stormwater Treatment site plan. ~City of Olympia, Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services.

Even the bioengineering materials will complement the basket pattern with vessel-shaped structures through which water will flow. ~City of Olympia, Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services.

This is a closeup of American Indian basket weave, which also served as an inspiration for the design team. ~City of Olympia, Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services.

Our Vision; continued

The Indian Creek Stormwater Treatment Facility; Integrating art and function

The Indian Creek Stormwater Treatment Facility; Integrating art and function

The Indian Creek Stormwater Treatment Facility will be located on two acres of undeveloped land, adjacent to the Olympic Woodland Trail, and approximately 1.5 miles southeast of downtown Olympia. A tributary of Indian Creek bisects the property, flowing year-round through a steeply sloped ravine, before connecting with Indian Creek itself.

The area is considered a significant habitat for various species, and the site itself includes remnants of an old orchard, 20 filbert trees and several maples.

Location and topography make the site an appropriate choice for stormwater treatment, utilizing ponds and wetlands that will integrate gracefully with existing natural features.

Indian Creek is one of the most contaminated creeks in the City of Olympia.

Stormwater treatment is expected to remove at least 50 percent of the contaminants, reducing the polluting components for maximum treatment and water quality.

Art

The City of Olympia Arts Commission, Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services, and Public Works Department, in collaboration with the Washington State Department of Transportation, saw this project as an excellent opportunity for design team collaboration with an artist, treating the entire site as a public artwork, integrating art and function throughout. Interpretation is an important element of the project, as stormwater treatment that takes place in the natural landscape is often invisible and not well understood.

Look closely and you'll see that the trail follows the process of water through stormwater treatment and wide paths indicate slow flow; narrow, straight paths indicate rapid flows. Trails and berms mimic weaving and water flow. The bridge across the stream is built of wood and metal elements, using a weaving technique.

The pond serves to slow down water velocity so larger sediments can drop to the bottom. This is the first step in stormwater treatment, and the first of many vessels that will capture and release water throughout the site. Slopes of the pond will have the same basket or vessel shape.

The wetland contains plants that filter contaminants and microbes that eat contaminants. This vital aspect of the treatment process will not be left out of the weaving metaphor that ties together the project. Used for weaving and medicinal purposes, wetland plants have historical significance that will be reinforced through text in rocks and structural elements adjacent to the wetland.

Even the bioengineering materials will complement the basket pattern with vessel-shaped structures through which water will flow. Bioengineering is a method of slope stabilization using live plants and other natural materials.

-ative plants will be used in the "edible" landscape. The existing site includes filbert trees, whose fruit is edible. Other plants will be selected for their value in an "edible landscape" and their historic use as food and for healing. They will include: Water plants, nettles, wild tiger lilies, thimbleberries, salmonberry buds, princess pine and licorice root.

Storytelling is a part of the entire project, as are the weaving and vessel symbols. Weaving is a way to integrate multiple histories and the vessel captures the history of Indian Creek. The project includes collaboration with the Squaxin and Nisqually tribes who both have important weaving traditions.

'Edible Landscape'

"Water plants keep the blood clean. Nettles are nutritious, like spinach. If you boil cedar and breathe the vapors, it will help with sinus problems."

-- Bud McCloud, Nisqually Tribe

"Thimbleberries make good tea in August. Princess pine and licorice root and good for dyes. Wild tiger lilies are the native potato. Salmonberry buds are the first vitamins of the spring."

-- Margaret Seymour and Rhonda Foster, Squaxin Tribe

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

For more information on public art

programs call City Arts Program Manager Linda Oestreich

360.753.8330.

The Olympian Copyright 2000

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