Forest River Outdoor Recreation & Nature Center
In September 2020 The Public Art Commission (PAC) released an RFQ for an artist design of a splash pad and filter buiding facade at Forest River Outdoor Recreation & Nature Center through an open public selection process. After public comment and thorough reviews, the Jury proposed their selection in Public Meeting to the PAC mid-November.
The awarded finalists of this unique opportunity are place-making artist team: Louis Chinn and Huameng Yu. The team embraces conveying connectivity to nature, cultural diversity and integration, functionality, and sustainability – community resilience. They use the natural landscape physically and metaphorically to engage and heighten the viewer's innate connection. The Forest River Park installation will have Ancient Fossil Brass Inlays, Glacial Benches, an elevated view from terraces representing volcanic layers and growth over time. These terraces will provide a platform and theatre for public performances and engagement. The artists' stated specific project goals include: sustainable design, resiliency, adaptability, environmental education, historical education, accessibility, and historic preservation.
Artist Team: Louis Chinn and Huameng Yu
Image:-HUA Design Studio - Chinn and Yu Forest River Park Proposal
Louis Chinn website - Huameng Yu website
Behind the Collaborative Design
Building Facade
The facade is a relief mural, utilizing natural elements to bring it to life. It will be an acrylic painted landscape, layered with glass, brass, and light manipulation. The glass will reflect sunlight, the brass relief will cast shadows, and underlight installations will create a piece of work that evolves with the daily rotation of the Earth in live time.
Each river will represent and honor the various cultures who have and who continue to shape this land. Each is unique with a different starting place but all inevitably come together at the ocean.
Example of cultural patterns represented with each river
Distinct overlays and meanders
Top and Bottom Image Credit: HUA Design Studio - Chinn and Yu Forest River Park Proposal
Splash Pad
Example of Volcanic Layers and Terraces are inspired by three major geologic transformations that shaped the landscape of Salem Sound.
Image Credit: HUA Design Studio and Chinn & Yu Forest River Park Proposal
The terraced splash pad will also include brass inlays representing magma and ice rivers coming together, with water jets placed inside of the volcanos!
The artists will also be collaborating with City Staff and Tom Scarlata and KyleZick of Bh+A archetects. This archtectural design team will be helping to implement the artists' vision and bring their theme to the space with its fullist potential. This collaboration will also help with the construction, design practicality, maintenance and documentation of the project. The final plans are in the works with construction plans to be drafted in March. The project is anticipated to be completed by August 2021.
In the below drawing plans, "volcanos" are marked in red, water jets in blue, and trees in green.
The completion of this project will mark the City of Salem's first ever Public Art Commission vetted and City commissioned peice of permenat public art for our collection.
History of Forest River Park:
Major Features
Forest River Park has rich history that is recognized and considered while reviviing the area to a multipurpose park space.
Bathhouse (dates)postcards, Timothy Pickering House, Park Garage, Pioneer Village (1930 first living history museum), Park Pool.
Feasibility Study of the Area:
Image from Forest River Pool Design Development of 7.20. Page 12-
A preliminary plan and ariel view of the Forest River area.
Read more about the project and hear from the artists in the following article by Creative North Shore:
Forest River Outdoor Recreation & Nature Center - Creative North Shore Article
Artist Talk Videos
Here are the finished products!
Rivers of Time Mural
Splash Pad
