Kherson Park by Yitong Du is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 Brončana nagrada A' Design Award in Pejzažno Planiranje i Dizajn Vrtova Competition Category.

BronzaPejzažni Dizajn· 2025

Kherson Park

by Yitong Du

Client: J. A. Brennan Associates

Brončana nagrada A' Design Award Winner in Pejzažni Dizajn Category

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Verified Award Winner
Verify Award Status for #169700

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The Design

About Kherson Park

Kherson Park integrira ekološku održivost sa uključivanjem zajednice u svoj inovativni dizajn pejzaža. Karakterišu ga zelene površine, propusne površine i energetski efikasno osvjetljenje za javnu upotrebu. Dodatno, promovira STEM obrazovanje, historijsko znanje i interakciju zajednice kroz interaktivne izložbe i iskustva proširene stvarnosti. Park je kulturna znamenitost koja slavi vazduhoplovno nasljeđe dok inspiriše sljedeću generaciju u nauci i tehnologiji u srcu grada Kent, WA.

The Recognition

About the Brončana nagrada A' Design Award

Kherson Park je pobjednik Brončane nagrade A' Design Award, visoko prestižnog priznanja koje se dodjeljuje izvanrednim dizajnima što se odlikuju kreativnošću, domišljatošću i oštroumnošću. Brončani pobjednici izdašno su vješti i upečatljivo kreativni artefakti koji potvrđuju golemo iskustvo, maštu i snalažljivost svojih dizajnera. Očekuje se da Kherson Park bude visoko cijenjen, voljen i njegovan predmet koji je izuzetno profesionalan i inovativan. Ovaj dizajn koji je osvojio Brončanu nagradu A' Design Award uključuje najbolje prakse u umjetnosti, nauci, dizajnu i tehnologiji i izvrstan je zbog pažnje posvećene detaljima. Kherson Park sjajno zadovoljava potrebe, dotiče želje, očarava osjećaje i privlači znatiželju.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: Kherson Park combines sustainable green space design with a tribute to history and aerospace technology education opportunities. To honor the city’s contribution to the lunar landing missions, the park offers various green areas, permeable hardscapes, a replica of the lunar landing operation, interactive exhibits, and unique nighttime programs that weave space history into community life. Eco-friendly landscaping reduces environmental impact, while augmented reality and interactive displays motivate future generations in science and technology.
Dimensions & Packaging: 0.44 acres of open space with over 93% landscaping and permeable paving areas.
Tags: Civil Landscape Renovation, Interactive Playground, Memorial Landscape, Night-use Programming, STEM Education
Production Technology: Kherson Park’s design blends historical research, user-centered planning, and advanced technology. Drawing inspiration from Kent’s aerospace legacy, it showcases thematic spatial planning with celestial motifs and interactive exhibits. Durable and sustainable materials ensure longevity, while augmented reality boosts engagement. The park’s smart lighting and eco-friendly landscaping reduce environmental impact, creating an educational, immersive space that honors history and inspires future generations.
Design Challenge: Kherson Park faced challenges balancing historical authenticity with educational and leisure activities related to Kent’s aerospace heritage, requiring collaboration with historians and the use of NASA archives. Safety regulations and budget constraints affected material choices, while augmented reality integration posed technical challenges. Collaborating with Boeing and local experts, we created an interactive, accessible, and cost-effective design, transforming space history into an engaging public experience.
Research: Kherson Park's design research prioritized user engagement, honoring Kent’s aerospace heritage while creating an inviting space for education, sustainability, and interactivity. We combined archival research, community input, and augmented reality to inform the park’s design, involving aerospace historians, local engineers, educators, students, and community members. Public workshops gathered feedback on playability and educational value. The final design features lunar landing play structures and AR experiences, making history accessible and engaging.
Kherson Park has become a premier destination for families and visitors, reinforcing Kent’s identity as a hub for innovation while inspiring future generations through interactive learning and space exploration.
Inspiration: Kherson Park's redevelopment honors the city’s aerospace history, particularly the lunar rovers designed by Boeing engineers in the late 1960s. The design aims to celebrate this legacy and inspire future generations in STEM, creating an interactive, space-themed memorial and educational environment.
Project Duration: The project began its planning phase in 2019 in the City of Kent, WA, USA, and completed construction, opening to the public in May 2023.
Operation Flow: Kherson Park serves as a vibrant venue for families, schools, and community events to delve into space history and STEM education. Guests can discover the lunar rover replica, view the astronaut sculpture, and interact with the mission control panel, while augmented reality experiences animate space exploration. The park’s lush green areas and open spaces create an ideal backdrop for picnics, educational workshops, and public gatherings, establishing it as a center for learning, recreation, and community engagement.
Team Members: Yitong Du
Jim Brennan
Drew Coombs
Tanja Wilcox
Image Credits: Image #1: Mike Arty, Landscape Forms
Image #2: Jim Brennan, J. A. Brennan Associates
Image #3: Natasha Dillinger, Parent Map
Image #4: Mike Arty, Landscape Forms
Image #5: Northwest Playground Equipment Inc.
Video: @outdoor.fun.for.kids.wa