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Editor’s Note: The date of this event has been changed to Tuesday, February 17th (as noted below) from the originally scheduled date of Wednesday, February 11th.

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The following was received from Historic Seattle:

Heart Bomb: Gas Works Park

Join Historic Seattle on Tuesday, February 17, at 12 noon to show some love for Gas Works Park.

• Time: 12–12:30 pm
• Location: 2101 N Northlake Way

What’s a Heart Bomb? 

A heart bomb is a public display of affection for places that matter. Every February, people across the country gather at historic sites and local landmarks (both safe and threatened!) to snap a photo with their valentines. Sharing the photos on social media raises awareness of these special places and why they matter to their local communities. Share your own photos using #heartbombSEA and #IHeartSavingPlaces. And don’t forget to tag Historic Seattle in your #heartbomb pictures so we can share your wonderful heart bombs on our Instagram and Facebook!

Why Gas Works Park?

Gas Works Park is an iconic park designed by renowned Seattle landscape architect Rich Haag. Opened in 1976, it was constructed on the location of a former coal gasification plant and the park design is considered revolutionary for the integration of its industrial heritage and for its reclamation of polluted soils using natural processes of bioremediation. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2013 and designated as a City of Seattle Landmark in 2002. It is one of Seattle’s great spaces, one of the most significant urban parks in the country.

Why is it Endangered?

The centerpiece of the landscape are the industrial gasification structures which are visible from many parts of the park and the city. The towers and their connective fabric represent a celebration of Seattle’s early industrial heritage and tell this story. The park has suffered from DECADES of deferred maintenance, or any type of preservation management plan, during its ownership by Seattle Parks and Recreation. This has led to more hazardous conditions as trespassers have attempted to climb the gas works, sometimes leading to tragic consequences. Seattle Parks has now applied to remove all of the details of the gas works (catwalks, ladders, pipes, etc.) which are character defining features. We believe there are better solutions to preserve and reinforce most of these elements so that they may continue to tell the story of this Landmark, while also removing elements that provide access to the towers. There is a “both/and” solution to this problem.

At its January 21 meeting, the Landmarks Preservation Board voted to table consideration of Seattle Parks and Recreation’s application to demolish historic features of Gas Works Park, encouraging Parks to consider more preservation friendly options.

That means, for this year’s Heart Bomb, it’s time to show your LOVE for Gas Works Park and encourage Parks to find a solution that improves safety AND preserves historic features of the gas works.

How do I participate?

Step 1: Get your creative juices flowing and create a valentine card for Gas Works Park.

Step 2: Meet up at the Gas Works Park Playground on the eastern side of the park on Wednesday, February 11, at 12 noon with your valentine. We’ll be taking a group photo in front of the gas works towers. For inspiration, check out some of our past heart bomb activities around Seattle.

Step 3: Say “cheese” with your fellow Heart Bombers for a photo with our valentines in front of the towers. Be sure to wear your raincoat in the event that there is rain! The photo will be taken outside, rain or shine.

Logistics

This program will be brief, only lasting as long as it takes to take a few good photos. Please plan to arrive by 12 noon; we will take the photographs around 12:10 pm. While we encourage everyone to bring a valentine, don’t worry if you don’t have one! We will bring a few extras.