The Well: River Roots is an art project led by the Larimer community in collaboration with artist Alisha B. Wormsley, a team of stormwater experts, the Kingsley Association, and the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh. This effort grew out of the Living Waters of Larimer (LWOL), a project of the Larimer Consensus Group and the Kingsley Association that advocates for the artful integration of rainwater infrastructure into community investment and development. The project is in the Larimer neighborhood that has an antiquated storm water drainage system that frequently causes severe flooding downstream. The River Roots project is an artful, citizen centered rainwater project that captures the community’s history with water, provides a gathering place to celebrate community experiences with water, and sets the stage for water stories of the future.

The new park will provide an interactive and playful community gathering space as well as innovative stewardship of storm water. Water is captured and flows gently through the site in bioswales and art structures. As the water collects, it activates different parts of the site, such as the water pump and the sound sculptures. Other key elements include:

• Sea Creatures: 3D forms made from local youth drawings and clay creations that are interspersed throughout the park
• Sound Sculptures: made from bells as a reference to the church bells redesigned to mimic pond reeds.
• Chadar Ceramic Well Quilt: inspired by the quilting circles in Larimer, water flows over a wall covered with images found and taken by high school students at Obama.
• A Gabion Wall: complete with sea creatures and a photo collage of historical images of Larimer
• An Elder Circle: a gathering space is formed by a circle of stone seats and stepping stones engraved with quotes collected from the senior community in Larimer.

For more: https://evolveea.com/art-place-roots-community-identity/