Kherson Pak by Yitong Du is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 A' Design Award Bwonz in Dezayn Peyizaj Competition Category.

BwonzDezayn Peyizaj· 2025

Kherson Pak

by Yitong Du

Client: J. A. Brennan Associates

A' Design Award Bwonz Winner in Dezayn Peyizaj Category

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Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #169700

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Colors

The Design

About Kherson Pak

Pak Kherson entegre dirab ekolojik ak patisipasyon kominote a nan konsepsyon peyzaj inovatif li a. Li gen zòn vèt, sifas pèmeab, ak eklèraj efikas nan itilizasyon enèji pou sèvis piblik. Anplis, li ankouraje edikasyon STEM, konesans istorik, ak entèraksyon kominote atravè ekspozisyon entèraktif ak eksperyans reyalite ogmante. Pak la se yon repè kiltirèl, li selebre eritaj aerospasyal pandan l ap enspire pwochen jenerasyon an nan domèn syans ak teknoloji nan kè Vil Kent, WA.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award Bwonz

Kherson Pak se yon ganyan A' Design Award Bwonz, yon rekonesans ki gen anpil prestij yo bay design ekselan ki make pa kreyativite, enjenyozite ak finès. Ganyan Bwonz yo se objè ki abil anpil e ki kreyatif nan fason ki frape, ki otantifye gwo eksperyans, imajinasyon ak debouyaj designer yo. Yo atann Kherson Pak pou se yon objè anpil moun estime, admire e renmen, ki pwofesyonèl e inovatè nan fason remakab. Design sa a ki ganyen A' Design Award Bwonz enkòpore pi bon pratik nan atizay, syans, design ak teknoloji, e li ekselan pou atansyon li bay detay. Kherson Pak satisfè bezwen yon fason espledid, li touche dezi, li chame santiman e li atire kiryozite.

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