Académique Documents
Professionnel Documents
Culture Documents
the City of
Surrey's Public
Art Advisory
Committee with
the cooperation
of Surrey's
Parks,
Recreation, My practice as an interdisciplinary artist
Culture, and and cultural producer is rooted in my
Engineering
ongoing interest in the relationship between
Departments.
urban dwellers and their surrounding
landscape. My critique is inherent in my
investigations and explorations of the
landscape through photography, video,
archival research, and interviews.
In piecing together concepts and ideas for the Greenway Art Plan, community
members, naturalists, archeologists, planners, engineers, and residents revealed
their “special Surrey places” to be included in the Greenway Art Plan. Maps were the
beginning reference, the history of the local landscape and its natural heritage
shaped by the process of settlement, and the transition to a city expanded the
interrelationships that transect Greenway sites past and present. The Greenway
sites revealed more natural and cultural stories and prompted reflection as stark
landscapes and the sounds of electrical corridors generated both connections and
questions.
The Greenway Art Plan and the five master templates began to develop conceptually
and reveal facets of the relationships and complex systems that exist between the
environment and the urban landscape. I continued to research and engage a diverse
range of participants in questioning and making connections between Surrey’s
Greenways landscape, and identifying art opportunities within that context. Many
ideas were generated by participants and then were narrowed down based on co-
created site criteria developed in consultation with community members and staff. I
then refined and developed the final template concepts. The Surrey Greenway
system is an opportunity to connect parks to greenways linking fragmented bio-
systems, wildlife, neighbourhoods, and neighbours to natural areas. How we
interpret the landscape is reflected in how we preserve and protect the natural areas
in our community. Artists can work to create artworks for Surrey Greenways that
engage Surrey residents in making their own connections to the landscape of the
natural and urban world and to the place they live.
New FleetDale Greenway 168th Street, looking south from 78th Avenue
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Greenway Art Plan
Contents
BACKGROUND
Greenways are a vast and growing web of linear park spaces that serve
as linkages and passages in the form of bikeways and footpaths
connecting neighbourhoods, schools, recreation centres, cultural
facilities, Town Centres and neighbouring Cities.
˘
Summary Introduction Continued.
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The Greenway Art Plan draws on research and the creation of theme maps
that describe the Greenway System as it relates to built heritage, planning
districts (Neighbourhood and Town Centres), transportation, topography,
and Greenway intersections with habitat as illustrated in the Salmon in the City Map
The maps in the Greenway Art Plan Appendix provide a rich and
diverse picture of Surrey and act as visual text to be explored and
referred to throughout the creation of art projects for Surrey
Greenways.
The Master Templates are designed to function as flags and
indicators for developing art projects by City Staff. Template projects in
the Greenway Art Plan were created drawing on information and
research gained in community consultation workshops. The
templates provide “show me” examples of approaches, projects, and
sites that are models for the future implementation of Greenway Art
Projects.
Greenway Art Plan, Mapping Special Places Workshop, October 24, 2001
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EXISTING CONDITIONS
The Public Art and Community Art Program rising from the City's
Public Art Policy (adopted in May 1998), represents a growing
commitment to the Arts In Surrey. The City of Surrey’s, Public Art
Policy funds the Program through the following: “the percentage for
Public Art is a flat rate of 1.25% of the total construction costs of
selected capital projects which have been processed through the
Long Term Capital Planning Model, and privately constructed projects
for which the city has made significant contributions.” The Public Art
Master Plan summarizes the projects supported through the policy
and is updated by the Public Art Advisory Committee on an annual
basis.
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BRINGING ARTISTS INTO THE GREENWAY PROCESS
The Greenway Art Plan Templates present the following
considerations and points of entry for involving artists in producing
public art for Greenways. First let’s differentiate the timing of
bringing an artist into the Greenway Process with particular
reference to infrastructure templates (Infrastructure Art & Design,
Greenways Identity Design)
1. Pre-Tender Package.
Artist engaged recommends design criteria for site.
Incorporating art into design of site. Artist design included
in tender package. I.e. Treatment pertaining to entry plaza
and construction specs. Add to tender package, included in
infrastructure budget.
2. Post Construction.
Artist engaged in site appraisal, retrofit art treatment,
project draws on 1.25% for art budget. I.e. excavation
design not applicable as construction is completed and was
not included in infrastructure budgets.
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Bringing the artist in at the same time as other design professionals
during the design and planning phase of a Greenway Project
accomplishes aesthetic advantages and budget opportunities as the
artist can specify some overall site solutions in the tender package
and design these based on utilizing overall construction budgets.
Example: Depending on the size, the plaza entry feature typically
costs between $5,000 and $10,000. If the site is designed,
excavated, and prepared to artist specifications the Artist, City Staff,
and Contractor are working to address the site collaboratively. The
public works budget then is working to optimize public art works
being produced. The artist engaged during the planning and design
phase will ensure an integrated approach to designing art for
infrastructure projects.
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Contents
Maps.
City of Surrey Engineering, and Planning Maps, Greenways Art Plan,
Appendix
Public Art:
Phase One: A Call for Ideas, Public Art Project for Keefer Triangle
City of Vancouver, Public Art Program
Public Art Policy, City of Surrey
Ridgeway East Greenway, Public Art Prospectus, City of Vancouver, Karen Henry, Mike Banwell
Juried Call, City of Vancouver, Public Art Program, Infrastructure Catalogue
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Community Consultation
The Greenway Art Plan was developed within a four-month
timeframe and was organized based on informal and formal
consultations with community members and representatives of civic
committees and community groups.
Two workshops were held to gather resources, input, and ideas for
the Greenway Art Plan: a City of Surrey inter-departmental workshop,
and a public workshop. Participants utilized mapping techniques in
the workshops to identify special places and themes for the
Greenway Art Plan.
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Community Consultation Some of the findings and themes
“Surrey is the largest community at low tide”
Ed Milaney, Workshop Participant
Special Places
1001 steps, views of Semiahmoo Bay
Hillcrest Drive In
Cornfield Maze.com
Themes
First Nations Roots, River systems, Semiahmoo, Royal
Kwantlen, Katzie
Ethnobotany, native plant theme, Douglas College,
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Community Consultation
Themes continued .
Art in Community Gardens along Greenways
Youth Voices
Earthworks – Berms
History
First Nations, 5,000 years
Cloverdale
Logging trains
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COMMUNITY CONSULTATION, October 24, 2001 Focus Group
Mapping and Visioning the Surrey Greenway Art Plan
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Site
Criteria
The overall Greenway Art Plan template design, themes, focus projects
and site selection address special places, site character and qualities of
place as identified through consultations with both city staff and
community representatives. The following types of sites, qualities, and
themes were developed in a City of Surrey, inter-departmental, Art
Plan, Visioning, and Resource Workshop held in September of 2001.
Participation included representation from Parks Planning, Community
Public Art, Heritage, and Planning staff. Input was also gathered from
participants in a public mapping workshop held in October of 2001.
The overall brainstorming responses and discussions drew on qualities
associated with place as well as site related values and criteria.
The following categories and qualities combined to create site
criteria, that was useful as a tool for refining and selecting
projects and template concepts.
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Greenways Art Plan
Site
Criteria
SITE QUALITIES:
RARE, UNIQUE, SECRET GEMS
STORIES
JOURNEY
CHANGE, PACE
SOUND
SUGGESTED THEMES:
ENVIRONMENT, PLACE, NATURAL RESOURCES
GRAPHIC IDENTITY, INFRASTRUCTURE, INTERPRETIVE
PROCESS:
COMMUNITY CONSULTATION
COMMUNITY CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT
SITE CONSIDERATIONS:
VISIBILITY
ACCESS
MARKINGS
SCALE
COMMON ELEMENTS
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Contents
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GREENWAY ART PLAN THEMES, CONTINUED
c) PRE-SETTLEMENT HISTORY, FIRST NATIONS ROOTS
The Greenway Art Plan recommends when possible to reference the rich
history of First Nations in the Surrey area. The Semiahmoo, Royal Kwantlen,
and Katzie Nations have had a continuous presence in the area for over
5,000 years.2 Traditional land use favoured seasonal harvesting of native
food resources and travel to those places for harvesting. An example is the
Semiahmoo fishery and summer camp that had continuous use for 5,000
years. First Nations foods included five types of Pacific Salmon, Trout,
Sturgeon, Eulachon, plus berries, plants, herbs, shellfish, and meat.
Mirroring the land, rivers, and waterways were the dominant mode of
transportation and canoes made it easy to navigate the intertidal rivers and
portage trails when necessary. The cultural symbols, masks, celebrations,
markings, and stories of the area’s First Nations reflected the natural world
and the roots of this place we now know as Surrey. It is recommended
when possible that First Nations culture, place names, stories, and history
be referenced in artist projects by working in collaboration with local First
Nations, Band Offices, and artists.
Theme Applied to Templates: Infrastructure, Identity Design, Placemaking,
Interventions & Celebrations, Intersections.
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Contents
NEIGHBOURHOODS as GATEWAYS.
Neighbourhoods are symbolic gateways
to community and greenway routes
physically provide passages that
interconnect open green space and
nature to neighbourhoods. Within Quibble Creek, Surrey
Greenways design, Infrastructure
projects provide opportunities for artists
to utilize design interventions and in
these designs integrate environmental
and cultural references that will engage
and inform pathway users as they move
through Greenway routes.
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. INFRASTRUCTURE INTEGRATED ART AND DESIGN
Integrated art
PEDESTRIAN BRIDGES
Pedestrian bridges are typical features of Greenway Design providing
pathway links across water systems, salmon bearing creeks, and
crossings over highways. The high visibility of a bridge and the
symbolic access of connecting pathway users through greenways to
other green spaces and linking people to nature ensures that resulting
art treatments will mark and identify a greenway. For pathway users
the pedestrian bridge can be a focus for destination and a site for
reflection. Pedestrian bridges are present throughout the Greenway
system and provide repeated opportunities for artist involvement.
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. INFRASTRUCTURE INTEGRATED ART AND DESIGN
FENCING/SCREENS
Screens and fencing are specified for residential areas where pathway
design may comprise resident privacy. It is recommended when the
situation is applicable that artists be engaged to develop living, plant
based privacy screens, and design fencing that reflects natural forms
and references that integrate into the surrounding natural environment
.
Heron railing- Seattle
LANDSCAPING/PLANTING/BERMS/HILLOCKS/BUFFERS
Opportunities exist to soften edges in Greenway corridors by creating
and enhancing native habitat, and aesthetically to utilize landscaping
and native plants as sculptural and contextual elements. Berms and
buffers can incorporate an artist’s vision and incorporate landscape
themes in flat utility corridors where topography can be addressed
with the use of hillocks and berm treatments.
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. INFRASTRUCTURE INTEGRATED ART AND DESIGN
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. INFRASTRUCTURE INTEGRATED ART AND DESIGN
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PUBLIC ART PROGRAMS
Infrastructure Examples.
Public Art Programs in Seattle and Olympia, Washington are utilizing
the collaborative design team model for infrastructure and public
works projects that involve similar trail and greenways systems. In
Olympia, Washington, an artist was engaged to work on a design
team that included City engineers, transportation planners,
landscape architects, and drainage specialists to design and
implement a 2-acre storm water treatment facility and greenway trail
off Interstate 5. The collaboration was successful and the artist’s
vision along with other design team members was incorporated
throughout the site.
Currently the City of Vancouver has created a catalogue of pre-
qualified artists for Gateway infrastructure projects. This process
will facilitate bringing the artist in to the public works,
infrastructure process at an earlier design stage than the public
calls for submissions process can provide. This artist selection
process also takes into account internal and external variables
based on construction, funding, and municipal timelines.
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1. INFRASTRUCTURE INTEGRATED ART AND DESIGN
Integrated art
BUDGET
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RECOMMENDED PROJECT(S) infrastructure
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Contents
VISUAL LINKAGES
Creating artist inspired Greenway Identity features that draw on
thematic links based on nature and the environment will form visual
linkages between Greenway corridors and build an overall identity for
the Surrey Greenways system. Bollards are highly visible pathway entry
points and appear throughout the Greenway system.
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Greenways Identity Design••Entry Plaza
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THE GREENWAYS IDENTITY DESIGN Template draws on the
rich and diverse natural history of early Surrey to convey site
specific references. Greenway Identity Signage can function as
educational and interpretative markers that signify and help visually
define and map Greenway routes and neighbourhoods through
present and past natural and cultural history. Visual identity
signage could also take the form of vertical symbols such as
appears in the City of Vancouver Greenways Program. Another
approach would incorporate text and visuals in markers that could
either be installed vertically or inlaid in pathway surfaces.
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. PLACEMAKING CONNECTIONS TO COMMUNITY
RECOMMENDED SITE(S) Based on Site Criteria and Themes.
1. Site: Green Timbers Greenway, The Green Timbers Urban Forest
Society and Community.
Specific Project: Giants The Memories of Trees, the history of first
growth forests that enabled Surrey’s initial settlement and
development.
2. Site: Serpentine Greenway, The South Asian Community
Specific Project: Cultural Art Walk, Sounds, and Patterns
THIS PLACE
Site 1. The Green Timbers Urban Forest Society currently runs guided
interpretive walks through this second growth forest and
encourages active stewardship of, and lobbying activities for the
maintenance, and protection of this substantial and important
Surrey green space.
The Green Timbers Forest has a unique history as both being the
first site of Provincial forest replanting, and the site of a resident
standoff to protest against the logging of the last stand of
Surrey’s old growth forest, in the 1930’s.
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. PLACEMAKING CONNECTIONS TO COMMUNITY
Site 1 Cont. The Green Timbers Greenway cuts through the Green Timbers
Forest (Link Green Timbers Map & Aerial) The specific priority
project suggested in this template addresses scale and time
through the creation of life size markers that visually create the
memory of trees that used to be in this place. Particularly
poignant is the notion that within the next twenty years children
and adults alike may not even know how really big original forests
were as the only visual reference to trees will be the scale
provided by second growth trees. This template project also
connects to the history of this place as a major tourist attraction
in the early 20th Century attracting visitors to see accessible old
growth forests and to witness log felling.
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. PLACEMAKING CONNECTIONS TO COMMUNITY
Site 1 PROJECT PARAMETERS
Address Scale and time in artworks to be installed in the Green
Timbers Greenway and developed with reference to the natural
heritage and biodiversity of the Green Timbers Forest, past and
present. To develop this project in collaboration with the Green
Timbers Urban Forest Society. To draw on the history of Green
Timbers as a popular destination to see the big trees of an old
growth forest and the current forest as an outdoor classroom.
.
Photo courtesy of Surrey Archives, Jimmie Dick, Joe Ralph, Bert McIntyre
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. PLACEMAKING CONNECTIONS TO COMMUNITY
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Contents
36
The Greenways Art Plan identifies as
a priority sites that embody the convergence of Greenway routes
with blueways/waterways, heritage values, and unique
environmental qualities. This template draws on these criteria.
RECOMMENDED SITE(S)
1. ON THE RIVER, Nikomekl Greenway. Elgin Heritage Park
2. NATIVE PLANT ECOLOGY, BERRY FESTIVAL, Blueberries, Cranberries,
Salmonberries, Salal, Red Elderberry, Native Plants, Non Native Plants,
Himalayan Blackberry Ethno botanical theme, Early food systems,
Stories, Jam, Jamborees. Boundary Bay Greenway
Blueways Map
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INTERVENTIONS AND CELEBRATIONS
Site 1
On the River – Nicomekl Greenway intersecting with the historic
Elgin Park site and converging with Blueways, Nicomekl River, Floating
Nature Trail.
Site 2
Berry Festival - Native Plant Ecology
Boundary Bay Dyke/Greenway a continuation of the Serpentine
Greenway and a link to the Trans Canada Trail System.
Temporary art affords the community and artists projects that gather
information, stories, and people as a beginning to creating more permanent
public art works. The Boundary Bay Dyke is a site that is close to the old
Colebrook Rail Station and is currently a favourite blackberry-picking site.
The project concept of Surrey's history as a berry source is connected to the bog
and wetland geography of the area.
Through archival research and consultation with naturalists the theme of native plants
and non native plant species (Himalayan Blackberry) began to develop.
The theme of native plant ecology through the story of the abundance of berries in Surrey
past and present, and the changes to native plant communities and habitat due to non native
plant species is recommended.
A Berry Festival and celebration is recommended for the Boundary Greenway site that
is being developed within the next three years. Storytelling about berries,
favourite recipes, jam jamborees, native plant propagation, food source/gathering history,
and plant identification are concepts to be referenced in artist projects.
Potential Partners:The Surrey/Whiterock Naturalists, Institute of Urban Ecology, Douglas College
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GATEWAYS TO SURREY
Transportation and the story of getting to Surrey is founded on crossings
and interchanges; from urban to rural heritage, from water to roads, by rail
or trail. Exits and entrances typically mark municipal boundaries.
Junctions can conjure the past smoke of
logging and passenger trains, farmers
markets, and the sound of horses carrying
wares to the dock at Brownsville Bar.
From there steamboats crossing the
mighty Fraser, chugged along carrying
passengers, and farmers goods to their
final destination, the weekly Farmers
Market in New Westminster.
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INTERSECTIONS Focus Projects
Notes (Reference, p17 –18, Rivers Roads and Railways, G. F, Treleaven, 1981,
published by the Surrey Museum and Historical Society)
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Greenway Art Plan Templates
SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDED PRIORITY SITES & PROJECTS
1) Infrastructure Integrated Art & Design p. 20-27
PEDESTRIAN BRIDGES - Priority Sites throughout
Greenway System as they are identified during site
analysis. Focus Project: Price Creek Pedestrian Bridge
(Greenway 10-year Map)
TRANS CANADA LINK – Priority Site Port Kells Greenway.
Overpass pedestrian bridge, Highway 1 - art application.
Example of artist working with structural engineer to
design safety fencing.
DRAINAGE RETENTION PONDS
Applies to whole Greenways system.
Priority Sites Wildflower Greenway, Serpentine Greenway,
future Bothwell Park, Green Timbers Greenway link.
2) Greenway Identity Design p.28-30
Template to be applied throughout Greenway System.
BOLLARDS throughout Greenway system. Priority sites at
major intersections, interchange existing bollards with art
ones at high traffic and street crossings.
APPLY GREENWAY IDENTITY DESIGN FEATURES
Priority Sites Wildflower Greenway, Serpentine Greenway,
Surrey Parkway, new construction and retro fit: bollards,
retention pond, entry plaza, log rails, vertical sculptures,
berms, and identity signage.
Boundary Bay Greenway, pathway treatment, bollards, log
rails, entry treatment, identity signage.
3) Placemaking Connections to Community p. 31-35
Focus Projects: GIANTS: MEMORIES OF TREES
Green Timbers Greenway
SOUTH ASIAN COMMUNITY, SOUND SCULPTURE
Serpentine Greenway
4) Interventions & Celebrations, Art on Greenways p. 36-38
Focus Projects: ON THE RIVER, Nicomekl Greenway.
Waterways, Elgin Heritage Park
NATIVE PLANT ECOLOGY, BERRY FESTIVAL, Blueberries,
Cranberries, Salal, Blackberries Ethno botanical theme,
early food systems: Celebrations, Stories, Jam Jamborees.
Boundary Bay Dyke Greenway extension of Serpentine
Greenway.
5) Intersections, Junctions and Crossings p. 39-40
Focus Projects: Gateway to Surrey, PATULLO BRIDGE, -
Surrey Parkway Municipal Boundary, Link to Surrey
Crossing the River to BROWNSVILLE BAR - Surrey Parkway
Link to Fraser River, Historic crossing, History of water
transportation, bridge construction, energy, development.
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Greenway Art Plan
Topography
Blueways
Population Density
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