Freeway Park facts for kids
Freeway Park is a special urban park located in Seattle, Washington, United States. It helps connect the city's downtown area to the Washington State Convention Center and First Hill. What makes this park unique is that it's built right on top of a busy highway, Interstate 5, and a big parking lot! Even 8th Avenue goes over parts of the park.
This park is a cool mix of strong, concrete designs, known as brutalist architecture, and beautiful green plants. It covers about 5.2 acres (2.1 hectares). The park was designed by Lawrence Halprin's team, with Angela Danadjieva leading the project. It first opened to the public on July 4, 1976. Later, in 1982, more sections were added, extending up First Hill with stairs and ramps for easy access.
Freeway Park is more than just a park; it's considered an important cultural landscape. It set a new example for how cities could use land in creative ways. Because of its importance, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2019.
Contents
Designing a Park Over a Highway
A Bold Idea for City Space
Freeway Park was a very new idea when it was built. Imagine building a park right over a busy highway! This was a smart way to create green space in a crowded city. It helped connect different parts of Seattle that were separated by the highway.
Who Designed Freeway Park?
The main designer was a famous landscape architect named Lawrence Halprin. His office worked on the park, and Angela Danadjieva was a key person in making the design come to life. They used strong, geometric shapes and concrete, which is typical of Brutalist architecture. But they also added lots of trees, bushes, and waterfalls to make it feel natural and welcoming.
What to See and Do
Waterfalls and Greenery
One of the most famous parts of Freeway Park is its many waterfalls and fountains. These features help to block out the noise from the highway below, making the park a peaceful place. The sound of rushing water is very calming. You'll also find many different types of plants and trees, creating a green oasis in the city.
Paths and Connections
The park has many paths that wind through it. Some paths are stairs, while others are ramps. This design makes it easy for everyone, including people using wheelchairs or strollers, to explore the park. It helps people travel between downtown Seattle, the Convention Center, and First Hill without having to deal with busy streets.
Freeway Park's Importance
A Historic Landmark
In 2019, Freeway Park was officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's recognized as an important place in American history and culture. It's special because it showed how cities could build parks in new and creative ways, even in difficult locations.
A Place for Everyone
Freeway Park is a great example of how cities can create public spaces for people to relax, play, and connect with nature. It's a place where people can escape the city noise, even though it's right in the middle of everything.
Gallery
-
A Brutalist-style fountain in Freeway Park.
-
A view into one of the park's "canyons."
-
The park features many square shapes in its design.
-
One of the beautiful waterfalls in the park.
-
The park's design uses interesting geometric patterns.
-
A sign in Freeway Park.
See also
In Spanish: Freeway Park para niños
