Located in Forest Park in Portland, Oregon, one of the largest forested urban parks in the country, the project consisted of providing durable, scalable, and safe replacement bridges for three popular and beloved hiking trails. The design team created bridges made of 4’ modular components that can be brought to the site by hand, minimizing site disturbance and tree removal in this sensitive environment. Weathering steel structural components are highly durable and patina to tones that blend with the organic colors of the surrounding context. Taking inspiration from the verticality of the native Douglas fir groves of Forest Park, the vertical slats of the bridges emphasize views from the bridges up and downstream, and to natural environment beyond. Further enhancing the views, the railings are angled away from the path, inviting children and other users to pause, lean against the cedar handrail, and watch the moving waters below.
Forest Park Bridges
Architect: Fieldwork Design & Architecture
Owner: Portland Parks & Recreation
Location: Portland, Oregon
Category: Up to $150,000 in construction cost (category one)
Additional Information
Civil Engineer: Environmental Science Associates
Landscape Architecture: Environmental Science Associates
Engineer – Structural: Grummel Engineering
General Contractor: Twin Oaks Construction
All photos: Caleb Couch / Fieldwork Design
