Kherson 公园 by Yitong Du is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 A' Design Award 銅獎 in 園境設計 Competition Category.

銅園境設計· 2025

Kherson 公园

by Yitong Du

Client: J. A. Brennan Associates

A' Design Award 銅獎 Winner in 園境設計 Category

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The Design

About Kherson 公园

赫尔松公园喺其创新嘅景观设计入面,将生态可持续性同社区参与融为一体。公园设有绿化区域、透水地面同节能照明设施,供公众使用。此外,公园仲透过互动展览同扩增实境体验,推广STEM教育、历史知识同社区互动。呢座公园係一个文化地标,喺美国华盛顿州肯特市嘅市中心,一方面颂扬航空航天遗产,另一方面激励下一代喺科学同科技领域继续探索。

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award 銅獎

Kherson 公园是 A' Design Award 銅獎得主，這是授予以創造力、獨創性和敏銳見長的傑出設計的極具聲望的認可。銅獎得主是技藝嫻熟、創意驚人的作品，印證了其設計師豐富的經驗、想像力與機智。預計Kherson 公园將成為一件備受推崇、令人欽佩且被珍愛的物品，兼具顯著的專業性與創新性。這件贏得 A' Design Award 銅獎的設計融入藝術、科學、設計和技術領域的最佳實踐，並因注重細節而出類拔萃。Kherson 公园出色地滿足需求，觸動渴望，迷住情感，並吸引好奇心。

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