The sky was a patchwork of blue and silver as Will Hunter stepped onto the grassy knolls of Gas Works Park, a unique landscape perched on the edge of Seattle’s Lake Union. The air carried a faint metallic tang, a reminder of the site’s industrial past, but the rolling hills and playful hum of families flying kites told a different story—a story of transformation.
Designed by visionary landscape architect Richard Haag in the 1970s, Gas Works Park was a pioneer in ecological reclamation, turning a defunct gasification plant into a public space that celebrated both nature and industry. As Will climbed the park’s signature hill, crowned by an immense, colorful sundial, he marveled at how the space seemed alive with history and possibility.
“This park is a phoenix,” said Sarah, a local architect who had agreed to show Will around. “Instead of erasing its industrial past, Haag chose to incorporate it, making Gas Works a symbol of renewal.”
They wandered through the park, where remnants of the gas plant stood like sculptures against the skyline. The old machinery, painted in vibrant reds and yellows, had been preserved as part of the design, creating a surreal juxtaposition of nature and industry. “These aren’t relics of destruction,” Sarah explained. “They’re artifacts of resilience.”
Will stopped to admire the landscape’s contours. The hills weren’t natural but carefully crafted from clean soil placed over the contaminated ground. Haag had used bioremediation techniques, planting vegetation that slowly purified the soil—a revolutionary approach at the time.
At the water’s edge, a group of kayakers paddled past, their laughter mingling with the gentle lapping of the lake. Will noticed how the park’s design invited people to engage with the space in myriad ways—picnicking, kite flying, cycling, or simply sitting on the hillside to watch the sunset.
“Gas Works Park isn’t just a park,” Will thought. “It’s a dialogue—a place where the scars of industry meet the healing power of nature.”
As the afternoon light deepened, casting long shadows across the meadow, Will sat by the sundial, reflecting on the lessons of the park. Haag had shown that landscapes could be more than beautiful; they could tell stories, heal wounds, and inspire change.