2007 Washington Aggregates and Concrete Association award winners -- Seattle DJC.COM

Architectural Concrete

Photo courtesy of Gary Merlino Construction Co.

Bands of pervious concrete were poured at Lake City Mini Park to help with site drainage.

Lake City Mini Park development

Location: Seattle

Owner/developer: City of Seattle Parks & Recreation Department

Project team: Gary Merlino Construction Co., general and concrete contractor; JGM Landscape Architects, landscape architect; Stoneway Concrete, ready-mix supplier

Lake City Mini Park was once a bank that was converted into a park many years ago. Some of the bank’s walls and its vault were used as structures and water fountains for the original park.

The walls and structures promoted unwelcome activities in the park, causing the city to redesign the space to create a more open and inviting atmosphere for the community. The new design replaced the walls and structures with an artistic blend of concrete and landscaping. The new park features colored concrete paving with bands of pervious concrete that interconnect throughout the property. Pervious concrete helps with drainage, since only a small section of the new park is landscaped.

Surrounding trees were retained to keep shaded areas within the park.

The new park is easier for the police to monitor and the use of concrete means there will be less maintenance for Parks Department crews, according to the contractor.