At the Timber Ridge Apartments in La Grande Oregon, a series of welcoming outdoor areas are designed to support residents of all ages and interests.  A rich program of community recreation and social spaces is balanced with opportunities for solo residents or small groups to gather and connect to nature. A central community center features a Headstart preschool, indoor space for classes and events, a dining terrace, a community garden, and a sport court. A series of lawns and BBQs patios across the site offer families places to gather. Along the perimeter of the buildings, a paved pedestrian path links the sprawling site together and suits walkers as well as wheelchairs, strollers, and trikes. Seating areas and exercise nodes along the path draw residents out and a series of rain gardens add interest as well as infiltrating run off. Along the path, backed benches with arms accommodate older residents while logs and boulders are arranged to be used for sitting, playing, casual exercise, and finally as habitat elements for the non human residents of the site. Generous use of large canopy trees and native plantings will have beneficial impacts on building performance, human wellbeing, and ecological diversity.

Completed: Currently under construction

Collaborators: Community Development Partners (Developer), Northeast Oregon Housing Authority (owner), InkBuilt Design (Architect)