After six years of planning and fundraising, September marked the start of construction on the Astoria Nordic Heritage Park in Astoria, Oregon. Proposed by the Astoria Scandinavian Heritage Association in 2015, this public park located in downtown Astoria celebrates and educates visitors about the cultural heritage of Nordic and Scandinavian immigrants who came to Oregon’s North Coast in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s.
Herrera collaborated with the landscape architecture firm, The West Studio of Seattle to conceptualize park elements, layout, and assist with community engagement. Design elements were developed and defined using local community input, including several direct descendants of early settlers. The final design, completed in 2019, features a large plaza with a “Midsommer” pole, interpretive signage, granite pillars for each of the five Nordic countries (Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, and Iceland) and a well-planned, accessible layout. Herrera provided site-civil, stormwater, and utility design as well as modifications to existing access and parking for project work.
Groundbreaking commenced on August 19th, 2021, with ongoing construction expected to conclude at the end of the year. Park dedication is scheduled prior to the June 2022 Midsummer Festival. Herrera is proud to have assisted the Astoria Scandinavian Heritage Association in celebrating the town’s rich cultural history through the creation of a permanent landmark. Learn more about this project here.
