BONUS EPISODE: Parks Dept and Landmarks Board Debate Gas Works Park and Designer Rich Haag's Intent

On this BONUS EPISODE of CASCADE OF HISTORY, we present more context about Gas Works Park and the Seattle Department of Parks and Recreation’s proposed removal of elements of the historic “cracking towers.” As heard in the Seattle Landmarks Preservation Board's meeting of October 1, 2025, at the heart of the debate is what the late landscape architect Rich Haag – who had the radical idea to preserve the industrial elements that give the park its name and its character – intended for those industrial elements over time, and how and whether they would be cared for and maintained. First up are some key highlights and analysis from the Seattle Landmarks Preservation Board meeting which took place on Wednesday, October 1, 2025. These highlights illustrate the crux of the debate about what to do to prevent injuries and death at Gas Works Park and what the Seattle Department of Parks and Recreation is also responsible for when it comes to respecting the historic landmark aspects of the park and carrying through the intent of designer Rich Haag. Following the highlights and analysis, we present the entire October 1, 2025 Gas Works Park discussion audio from the Landmarks Board, with some minor editing to remove long silences and extraneous discussion of logistical issues. For additional context, please listen to these earlier episodes of CASCADE OF HISTORY. Interview with Patricia Fels of Friends of Gas Works Park https://soundcloud.com/cascadeofhistory/bonus-episode-fels-oct-2 Audio from the September 17, 2025 Seattle Landmarks Preservation Board Meeting https://soundcloud.com/cascadeofhistory/bonus-episode-gasworks-slpb For more information about commenting in advance or as part of the October 15, 2025 meeting of the Seattle Landmarks Preservation Board: https://www.seattle.gov/neighborhoods/historic-preservation/city-landmarks CASCADE OF HISTORY is broadcast LIVE most Sunday nights at 8pm Pacific Time via SPACE 101.1 FM in Seattle and gallantly streams everywhere via www.space101fm.org. The radio station is located at historic Magnuson Park - formerly Sand Point Naval Air Station - on the shores of Lake Washington in Seattle. Subscribe to the CASCADE OF HISTORY podcast via most podcast platforms and never miss an episode.