Nature & Health Speaks

Thanks to the University of Washington’s Nature and Health for inviting to share our inclusive design process through their Nature and Health Speaks series.

Nature and Health is a group of community members, scientists and practitioners who are passionate about the connections between nature and human health and well-being. They establish connections between individuals to “contribute to the design of health-care, educational and community settings that benefit all people.” We had the opportunity to talk to, learn from and connect with over 45 individuals doing incredible work in our local community and across Washington state and the nation.

Our conversations were thought provoking, invigorating and insightful. In our breakout rooms, participants shared the benefits of inclusive design processes for nature-based projects, the importance of building outdoor spaces to meet the needs of a wide variety of users, the challenges of engaging community during COVID and the need for including anti-displacement strategies into projects that have green outdoor spaces.

Star Berry (she/her), Program Manager of Nature and Health, was “encouraged to think about what it means to be welcoming in addition to being accessible and…allowing for relationships and needs to build.”

We’re inspired by collaborative efforts of this group working together to ensure access and inclusion in nature for all. Check out their fantastic line-up of upcoming speakers and follow them @UWNatureHealth to stay updated on their amazing work.

I AM MORE THAN...

We are so grateful to our Teen Advisory Team for their bravery, their brilliance, their beauty and all they’ve brought to the Eli’s Park Project, our community and our world. Our Teen Advisory Team is more than what you see.

Today, the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods (DON) shared this video highlighting the amazing changes this powerful group of young women are making together.

Thank you, DON, for continuing to support the Eli’s Park Project with your Neighborhood Matching Fund and for sharing this hopeful story at a time we can all use some extra love and light.

Bethel, Elroe, Kissehanet, Lavancia, Meklit, Natalina and Trenesia – You are courageous and smart. You are advocates and leaders. You are creating changes that will enable our entire community to rise.

You are all so much more than what we can see.

With love,

The Eli's Park Project

Call for Artists

We are so excited to share a call for artists to design and fabricate two entryway features as part of the community-led redesign of the Burke Gilman Playground Park in Northeast Seattle. These site-integrated outdoor artworks/elements/structures will help welcome visitors and set the tone for a more accessible, inclusive and nature-based public space. 3-4 applicants will be chosen to develop proposals (stipend provided).

We welcome all artists and artist teams living in Washington State who feel connected to Seattle and the park location. We highly encourage artists representative of our diverse community including Black, Indigenous, artists of color, LGBTQ+, disabled and emerging artists to apply. We are committed to involving artists who have been historically marginalized and excluded from the public art landscape.

Selected creatives will work with Hannah Viano, lead artist on landscape-architect-led design team, to ensure elements meet project goals and Seattle Parks and Recreation requirements. Please visit the Call for Artist on our website to learn more and access the RFQ. We’d love your help sharing with your creative communities!

If you are interested in being considered for this project, please email qualifications to Hannah Viano along with a letter of interest specific to the scope of work by 5 pm Sunday, January 24th, 2021.