Welcome Center Design

Client: City of Ridgefield

Location: Ridgefield, Washington

The City of Ridgefield, Washington, had an ambitious vision for an outdoor welcome center to overlook the nearby 5,218-acre Ridgefield National Wildlife Area. Hoping to create a centralized park space that could function as a community gathering facility while educating patrons on aspects of the refuge as well as on the region’s heritage and history, the city contracted MFA to assist with site planning, production of construction documents, and construction oversight. MFA worked closely with the city to develop a set of unified goals for the center, then coordinated with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and a local signage manufacturer to design interpretive signage panels. In addition, the public was invited to provide design input. MFA’s resulting site structure—including a paved plaza, a stage area, restrooms, native landscaping, pathways to an overlook area, revised street parking, native history-themed art panels, and informational signage—is a reflection of Ridgefield’s reverence for the unification of community, culture, and nature.

With assistance from MFA, the client achieved:

• Cohesive facility design with elements of education on local heritage, history, culture, and the natural environment
• Revised street parking
• Sensitivity to the nearby archaeological area and considerations for mature tree growth
• Community gathering space with stage area, pathways, restrooms, and informational signage