Site-Specific Public Art for Cedar Grove Park Inclusive Playground

The City of Bothell invites public artists to collaborate with the parks design team on a site-specific artwork for a new inclusive outdoor playground for users of all ages and abilities at Cedar Grove Park in Bothell, Wa. The budget is $80,000 for all artist fees including design, travel, fabrication, with some on-site installation support provided by the city.   

Project Overview 
Cedar Grove Park is undergoing the design of a new playground that will provide a socially and emotionally inviting environment that is accessible, inclusive, and welcoming to all users. As part of this project, we are seeking an artist to develop artwork integrated into the built playground design elements that bring sensory richness, visual identity, and opportunities for interaction into the space. 

This opportunity focuses on artistic integration within a new playground located inside an established park. The artist will collaborate with the design team during the design phase to embed meaningful, durable, and inclusive elements into the new design currently in design phase. While the artwork will be integrated into the new playground design that is anticipated for construction through spring/summer of 2026, the artist may follow a separate schedule for fabrication and installation.  

About Cedar Grove Park 
Cedar Grove Park, located in Bothell, WA (located 20-minutes from Seattle) opened in Spring 2005 and serves as a valued community gathering space. The park currently offers a play area for children of all ages, a full-size basketball court, a reservable picnic shelter, and a multi-purpose sports field. Cedar Grove is named for the grove of large cedar trees that were preserved on the site, providing a strong natural identity and sense of place that continues to shape the park’s character. 

Design Team 
The new park feature is being designed by Harper’s Playground, a nationally recognized organization specializing in inclusive, natural playground environments. Their work focuses on creating spaces where people of all abilities can play with one another, emphasizing accessibility, equity, and community connection through thoughtful, innovative design.  

Selection Process 

Round 1: Initial Qualifications Review 
Artists will be selected based on: 

• Statement of Interest (max 1 page)
• Relevant Past Work (especially public, interactive, or integrated projects)
• Resume or CV (File should be no larger than 2mb, and txt, pdf, doc, docx, xls, xlsx, or jpg format only)

Note: A conceptual proposal is not required for Round 1.  

Round 2: Invited Concept Development 
A shortlist of selected artists will be invited to develop a preliminary concept proposal that addresses the artistic direction, themes, and integration opportunities outlined above. 

Each shortlisted artist will receive a $500 stipend to support the development of: 

• Conceptual approach and narrative
• Preliminary sketches or renderings, including proposed materials and installation plan

Note: Each round is reviewed by the same panel of art professionals, technical advisors, and community representatives. This panel evaluates submissions and selects an artist to recommend to the Bothell Arts Commission and Parks and Recreation Board, which then forwards its recommendation to the City Council for final approval. 

Artistic Direction & Opportunities 
We are particularly interested in proposals that respond to the following ideas and qualities: 

• High tactile value to support visitors with vision impairments
• Shadow and light play, including dynamic, time-of-day experiences
• Canopy-based concepts, such as:
• Stained glass or prism-effect light filtering
• Cut metal pattern canopies casting intricate shadows
• Overhead armatures inspired by botanical or sculptural frameworks
• Organic and nature-based forms, such as a willow dome or grove-like structures
• Open, permeable designs with holes, gaps, or layered elements that allow visibility through the piece—encouraging interaction and connection
• Ground plane engagement, including artistic surfacing or embedded elements
• Spatially immersive experiences that children can move through, under, and around
• Material exploration, including but not limited to combinations of metal, wood, and glass
• A sense of wonder and discovery, encouraging curiosity and imaginative play through opportunities for narrative exploration and storytelling

Thematic Considerations 
Artists are encouraged to explore a “Tree of Life” or related theme that reflects: 

• The natural character of the Pacific Northwest
• Bothell’s local identity and community
• The presence and symbolism of cedar groves and native landscapes

Location within the Park 
Proposed artwork may be integrated in one or more of the following ways: 

• Located at the center of a circular gathering space, with 6 feet of clear pedestrian circulation on all sides
• As a canopy or overhead structure spanning the full circle

Final placement will be determined collaboratively with the design team. 

Project Goals  

• Enhance accessibility and inclusivity through sensory-rich design
• Creating a cohesive relationship between art, play, and landscape
• Ensure safety, durability, and long-term maintainability