Can a wastewater treatment plant also work as an energy conversion facility? Marine Park Water Reclamation Facility in Vancouver, Wash., provides an answer: It helped convert the public’s angry energy against a plant expansion into a groundswell of support for a wider vision.
The Marine Park Natural Resource Area (MPNRA) is an integrated complex of wastewater treatment, municipal engineering, public water education, and recreation. Its hub is the Water Resources Education Center.
Assistant city engineer Tom Boyer is proud of this 3.6-acre facility. “It’s all designed to inspire visitors to become better stewards of water resources,” he says.
A nearby overlook provides a view of the Columbia River and 48 acres of wildlife-rich wetlands. The site connects visitors to the city’s Renaissance Trail, a paved waterfront path for walkers, runners, and bicyclists. Along with a transportation corridor, the trail provides a buffer between the plant and the public.
Building a partnership
The 10-mgd (average) Marine Park Water Reclamation Facility, one of two secondary treatment plants in Vancouver, was completed in 2000 and serves a population of 95,000. The original 1976 plant was approaching capacity by 1989. Officials overcame resistance to expansion by building a partnership with the community.
Together, they developed a plan to accommodate the upgrades while addressing community desires for public waterfront, recreation space, and wetlands preservation.
The old plant was next to natural wetlands. The move to a new site on 12.3 acres of industrial land to the north opened public access to the waterfront. The education center opened in early 1996.
The Portland and Seattle offices of CH2M HILL led design of a natural resource area, supported by Vancouver’s Architects Associative; city engineering; plant management and operating staff; and local landscape architects Walsh and Associates.
The area is bounded by the Renaissance Trail, which links to nearby Marine Park, a 26-acre site with play equipment, picnic shelters, and a boat launch. The education center was a critical element. It encourages residents to rediscover the waterfront and re-establish the city’s historic connection to the Columbia River.
Multiple functions
The 16,000-square-foot, two-story brick Water Center building has an expansive deck overlooking the Columbia River and wetlands. It contains an exhibit hall, classroom, theater, gallery for nature-inspired art, water sciences laboratory, aquaria, computer game room, and offices.
On its top floor, the window-lined Bruce E. Hagensen Community Room offers spectacular views of the river. It has a catering kitchen, multimedia presentation fixtures, and wireless Internet access.
The Water Center provides diverse exhibits and lessons, including a sewer mapping display, groundwater exhibits, a virtual exhibit with interactive media, and an online game. Tour leaders can use a map of the Columbia River Basin, designed into the upstairs classroom floor, to explain water concepts.
A natural wildlife garden graces the grounds, showing visitors examples of earth-friendly landscaping that they can replicate in their yards. A short walk away, a 3,000-square-foot platform offers views of the few remaining natural Columbia River riparian areas in the region. These wetlands are under the stewardship of the Water Center and provide a natural classroom where visitors can learn about ecosystem protection and restoration.
The wetlands provide habitat for all Columbia basin salmon stocks, including several endangered species. They also provide perching and foraging habitat for raptors. There is a bald eagle nesting site within the wetland and an osprey nest nearby.
Mission accomplished
Water Center staff oversee and operate the exhibits, events and educational offerings and help with volunteer stewardship and paid and unpaid internship opportunities. Trained volunteer Aquaguides help with field trips.
Public volunteers assist at special events and contribute to special projects, while business volunteers get out into the field to work with staff through special programs. Students take part in Service Learning programs, such as beach cleanups.
Thousands of visitors come to the center each year. An attractively lighted fountain there often provides a backdrop for graduation and wedding photos — another testament to a site that has become a welcome part of the community.
