Concept of a sustainable redesign for Myrtle Edwards Park on the Seattle waterfront. A garden of native Northwest plants suitable for dying fibers with areas for artists and park users to learn about NW flora and see new uses for local plants.

1. ANTICIPATING
INVESTIGATING
DYEING
LISTENING
PAINTING
DRYING
DREAMING
HARVESTING
LEARNING
PLAYING
VIEWING
Summer
Autumn
Winter
Spring
Inspiration/artist areas
It’s important to give the people who use the park inspiration
and beauty in every aspect of the site. The structures that
support the art and craft of dying such as easels, benches,
rain barrels, compost bins, drying racks should be permanent
art installations that contribute to users understanding of the
local citizens and history, and that inspire them as artists.
Dream/contemplation area
Inspiration also comes from rest, contemplation and dreams.
A park designed to support, nurture and create artists should
have a healing space where park users can relax and enhance
their creativity. People would be able to lay on a bench and
see the sky and trees, breathe salt air, view the water and
mountains, and be stimulated by the ships and trains.
Play areas/lawn
A place to play and move freely is essential for true creativity,
and would invite all park users into the space to share it with
those specifically attracted to the gardens and the art. I found
the mound very beautiful, spiritual and functional, and would
like it to stay as a formal, but organic element of the space.
Water & drainage source
A water source is essential for dyeing, but an artfully designed
rain collection system would reduce the need for fresh potable
water when dyeing. Although natural dyes may not be harmful
in small quantities, dye waste should not be dumped in storm
drains. The garden should provide natural mordants, and have
a strict ban on potentially toxic metal mordants.
Community collaboration areas
A public garden should have spaces for groups to collaborate,
and the dye garden should have a specific area that would
facilitate classes about art, color, the craft of dying, associated
arts and gardening. An area that would allow instructors to do
demonstrations within the dye garden would be ideal, as it
would be another way to inspire people.
Native dye gardens
The native plants of the Pacific Northwest forests
contribute to a serene, natural landscape, and can
prevent invasive species from taking hold. The plants
yield beautiful dyes to be used for fabric, yarn, paper,
baskets and art, so the beauty continues and extends
beyond the garden. Banners would display the dye colors
and information needed for artists to use the gardens.
Cultivated dye gardens
Common dye plants that have been safely naturalized
in this area would be planted in beds for harvest. To be
sustainable, no potentially invasive species (like woad)
would be allowed to be planted. Many dye plants attract
pollinating birds, butterflies and insects with their flowers
and berries, and are beneficial to the garden.
Sustainability
A well-designed dye garden would provide key
Sustainable Sites Initiatives ecosystem services
and be environ­mentally sound, economically
feasible and socially equitable.
 Pollination
 Habitat functions
 Erosion and sediment control
 Waste decomposition and treatment
 Human health and well-being benefits
 Food and renewable non-food products
 Cultural benefits
Thoughtfulness
Sustainability and beauty both require
thoughtfulness—for those who design and
build the site, the participants who visit the
site, for the impact on the earth and the water
at the site.
A dye garden is full of thoughtfulness—
the thoughtfulness of ancient cultures that
learned to use plants to create tools, vessels,
clothing and dyes, and have passed the
knowledge to today’s craftsmen and artists.
The thoughtfulness of working with our hands
promotes a connection with our world and
can create a community that works together.
Community
There are many ways to make a dye garden in
a city park economically feasible. Promoting
participation with gardners, academics, artists
and craftsmen in the thriving, “green” city of
Seattle would ensure that the city would not
be the only stakeholder responsible for the
upkeep of the gardens, and would ensure that
those who use the garden would treat it with
respect and continue to replenish it.
@ Myrtle Edwards Park