And the plans presented on Sunday, July 24, by Murase Associates, Landscape Architects, for the new park at Roy Street and Queen Anne Avenue North did just that. But I will return to those plans in just a bit.
Last week's front-page article in the Queen Anne News, entitled "Medium-strip plantings run riot," was a compelling story (starting with the headline: should it have been "median strip"?). The overgrown median strip is a classic example of today's infatuation with perennials. They look great when young, but most perennials need to be lifted and divided every three to five years. No government agency has the manpower, or perhaps even the skill, necessary to accomplish this feat. And perennials are what I call intimate plants. Their blooms and foliage need, demand, to be studied in a leisurely fashion and not at 30 m.p.h. I am sure that the enthusiastic volunteers were more than willing and able to care for these plants when they saw an opportunity to improve a neglected area. However, they were misled by the agency regarding long-term care.
Similarly at Soundview Terrace, a small, recently renewed overlook park in West Queen Anne. The enthusiastic volunteers, so vitally important to getting anything done these days, were presented with planting plans that included many grasses and perennials. The volunteers were sure that their vital energy would continue into the following maintenance phases. However, just a mere three years after the installation, the planting beds are getting choked by invasive blackberry, the perennial and invasive wild sweet pea is vining its way through the shrubbery, and most of the lavenders and santolinias are getting woody and failing. In addition, one corner of the park that has been lovingly weeded and cared for by a neighbor received a smothering layer of mulch this spring courtesy of the Parks Department crews. Should Landscape Architects, hired by the Parks Department, be held responsible or the Parks Department?
So, I was thrilled by the proposals put forth for the new park. No perennials, no remembrance tiles, no waterworks; just trees and seating and good circulation patterns for pedestrians. At first when I saw the "light corner," I thought of the trendy light curtain recently installed at McCaw Hall. However, I think this device has more integrity. I learned that no vines or other plants can impinge upon the north and east walls of the park, for they are private property. So the passivity of the light feature is a brilliant solution, and by repeating it again on the outer edge of the park, a sense of place is created that this difficult site sorely needs. As the design continues to get its details refined, I can only hope that the original simplicity and elegance will be retained and honored.
I wish to extend my sincerest condolences to Robert Murase's family, friends, peers and staff. His untimely death last week leaves much sorrow for those who have worked with him and those who have been inspired by his creations. Fortunately, the Queen Anne community now has a chance to fulfill one of his last designs.
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