The Tanner Springs Park was envisioned, as a counterpart to other local parks, as a unique, natural and contemplative oasis in the city. A model of sustainable urban design, stormwater runoff from sidewalks is directed into the park rather than out to the curb and gutters. This water feeds a wetland pond, sunken below street level on one side of the park. A native meadow slopes down to the water, punctuated by seating niches and little springs that bubbling up and trickle back through a wetland zone to the water. A floating pontoon crosses the water, a much loved short-cut through the park. Connecting to the historic city fabric, abandoned railroad tracks were recycled to create an oscillating art wall behind the pond, studded with hand-painted Portland glass inserts of ancient wetland insects. Grassed seating steps run down two sides of the park, providing lots of lunch time seating, night time gelato-licking perches, sun-tanning racks and vantage points to enjoy the park. Tanner picks up on the fine, sensitive qualities of life. The park is an energy source for people, they come to enjoy its inherent and natural vitality and restore within themselves a place for nature.