Check out King County Parks’ latest innovation: a cargo camping container

HyBrid Architecture’s design is sustainable, replicable overnight camping structure and will be open to public viewing in downtown Seattle on Thursday, July 26 only

Come get your first look at King County Parks’ new comfortable and ecologically sound camping structure that was created from a 24-foot-long used cargo container.

The completely repurposed container will be on display and open for tours on Thursday, July 26, from noon to 2 p.m. in front of the king County Department of Natural Resources and Parks offices at 201 S. Jackson St., in downtown Seattle.

This September, the camping container will be located amongst the tall firs and cool ferns of Tolt-MacDonald Park, at the confluence of the Snoqualmie and Tolt rivers in Carnation.

King County Parks is committed to innovation, sustainability and prosperity, and is upping the ante with this new, ecologically sustainable camping container that offers parks visitors a unique overnight experience.

This camping container features an adaptable floor plan with full-sized bunk bed, plus a table and multi-purpose cabinet made from deconstructed kitchens and reclaimed materials that can be moved outside for more floor space inside. Other re-claimed materials include old soccer goals that were converted into a green wall and an old door that is now the kitchen table.

King County Parks staff adapted the award winning schematic designs submitted by HyBrid Architecture, a Seattle-based design firm. “Re-Tain” is the result of King County Parks’ Little Footprint/Big Forest design contest in 2011 that drew numerous entrants from area architecture firms and sustainability supporters.

See the winning design and other entries at http://www.kingcounty.gov/recreation/parks/partners/littlefootprint.aspx. Reserve your stay in the new camping structure at Tolt-MacDonald Park, visit http://www.kingcounty.gov/recreation/parks/rentals/camping.aspx.

The “Little Footprint, Big Forest” competition was a collaboration between King County Parks and the King County Solid Waste Division’s GreenTools Program. The contest’s goal is to demonstrate King County’s commitment to innovation in green building, sustainability and prosperity, while offering a unique opportunity to enjoy nature in an ecologically sustainable way.

The GreenTools Program is designed to help all King County stakeholders green their built environment while addressing critical environmental issues, such as global warming, critical habitat restoration and solid waste reduction. Learn more at http://your.kingcounty.gov/solidwaste/greenbuilding/green-tools-program.asp.

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King County Parks - Your Big Backyard - offers more than 200 parks and 26,000 acres of parks and natural lands, including such regional treasures as Marymoor Park and Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park, 175 miles of regional trails, 180 miles of backcountry trails and a world-class aquatic center. By cultivating strong relationships with non-profit, corporate and community partners, King County Parks enhances park amenities while reducing costs. Learn more at http://www.kingcounty.gov/parks/.

Related information

Little Footprint Big Forest

King County Parks