design elements & ideas

Themes

Diversity, 10’s & 10 yr plan to end homelessness, circle of life/whole world/homeless over the entire world, foot in two worlds – land and sea, Native American and farmers in park and struggle to survive, neighborhood garden, heaven’s home, color, movement, circle/4 directions, crossing over, what you would need out in the wild, represent each life, drifter, thunderbird (Phoenix rising), nature, a song to sing, whimsy, no whimsy.

 

Elements

Time capsule, gazebo/pergola, arbor gateway with quote, bell to toll, basin overflowing, benches, no benches, labyrinth with angels, fountains/ponds (with bridge), plants/flowers, large dreamcatcher with sayings/prayers/mementos, roof (need for shelter), art, walking labyrinth, totem pole, medicine wheel with colors reflecting all races, remembrance wheel, statues, crystal pyramid, garden art, spirit houses, monolith/prism/pyramid.

 

Imagery

Blankets, homeless people (sleeping on benches or boxes), depiction of ways people can end homelessness, passage to another world, different worlds we live in, canoe, footprints with names, statue at end of trails, statue of Women in Black holding hands, birds – Mockingbird/messenger of death, birds and ribbons.

 

Writing

Poetry (of community), quotes, Dylan’s – ‘Blowing in the wind’, “These are the men and women who have walked these streets”, a list of resources, names and tribes slanted into the earth, store of one person without a name, “All who have passed away” or “All who have entered the spiritual world”, how many people die without recognition, information on who to help end homelessness, “We no not have to have homelessness.”, fire in the belly statement about homelessness and struggle, statement about community – people don’t understand we’re a community, big prayer. 

 

Function

Place for candles, visibility balanced with intimacy, no hiding places, prevent drug dealing (sightlines), seating, benches should face the water (not street), level or move mound (Victor Steinbrueck park), lights, cameras, a place to do arts and crafts, a place for smudging, a place to gather and tell stories, interactive (a place to leave flowers, etc.), bowls for burning sage, kleenex receptacles, umbrella or overhang to keep rain off and warm, place for meditation and prayer, kiosk with information, prayer bowl, something to touch, low barriers, information – 211 phone, sound barrier.