Award-Winning Design – Perennial Plant Association Honor Award
Second Street Pocket Park - City of Hood River
The Second Street Pocket Park is located in downtown Hood River, north of Overlook Memorial Park, just a few feet from Oak Street, the City’s main street. The Pocket Park was designed by Marion McNew, and the planters and plantings were installed by Mount Hood Gardens in fall of 2000. This miniature park provides an inviting and surprisingly private place to sit and enjoy a cozy lunch or respite, just seconds away from the hustle and bustle of Oak Street.
History
During Urban Renewal construction in 1998, wider sidewalks were created on both sides of Second Street, allowing for placement of large planters. On the street’s west side, unsightly power transformers needed to be screened. This led to the creation of the Pocket Park, just west of the utilities, incorporating several benches with the chosen robust, durable planters. The sloping street and sidewalk necessitated the construction of a large concrete pad, surrounded by metal railing, to create a level, safe surface for the planters and benches enveloping the small park. The entrance is handicapped-accessible.
Please Note: We are not maintaining this park, and there have been some issues. A renovation of the plantings may happen in the near future.
Plants
The plant palette in the planters includes dwarf conifers, small shrubs, ornamental grasses, perennials and bulbs. The plants were chosen for their superior foliage and texture, and long blooming period. They display warm, bright and earth tone colors, fusing planters and paint colors of nearby buildings. The plant combinations furnish low-maintenance, continuous and nearly year-round interest, and echo the natural qualities of the Gorge surroundings.
Design
The space was designed as a harbor shape, resulting in a private, comfortable seating area partially screened from the street. The sturdy, attractive terra cotta-colored planters are made of glass-fiber reinforced composite stone and fitted with a self-watering system. They contain a water reservoir that requires only weekly refilling during the summer.
Before: The future Second Street Pocket Park in October of 2000, south-facing view
Before: The future Second Street Pocket Park in October of 2000, north-facing view
Before: The planters are being installed, late October 2000
After: Late spring scene at Second Street Pocket Park, May 2009
After: Flourishing plantings in late June of 2011
After: A close-up view of the intimate seating area, late June 2011
After: Second Street Pocket Park in its fall glory, October 2007