91视频

A plaza project in downtown Astoria that acknowledges the city’s Chinese heritage has received an award from the Oregon Recreation & Park Association commending the design.

The Garden of Surging Waves, completed in May, this week received an ORPA Design Award during a ceremony to recognize outstanding parks and recreation projects, professionals and partners. The design award honors superior architectural or landscape design of new or renovated park projects completed in the past five years.

The project’s designer, Suenn Ho, a principal at Portland-based RESOLVE Architecture + Planning, said she was honored to receive the sole ORPA award that recognizes project design.

鈥淚t was really, really special,鈥� she said. 鈥淭he effort was pretty involved. It took eight years to get it built. The other part is the subject matter is very unusual. It’s not just another playground or park. It’s acknowledging the contribution of early Chinese immigrants.鈥�

The 15,000-square-foot plaza is part of the 65,000-square-foot Heritage Square.

鈥淚t’s really nice to add that to a city that never had a town square,鈥� Ho said.

The full-block development includes various art installations that commemorate Astoria’s history and diverse community. A steel screen has anonymous quotes incorporated in it that tell the story of the area’s Chinese immigrants.

鈥淭he intention is that anyone that reads those quotes can relate from their own culture and their family,鈥� Ho said.

She’s proud to have been a part of the project.

鈥淚t had a very noble intention,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 just got lucky to lead the charge on the design side.鈥�