Water Crossings
- Artist
- Joe McGrane
- Year
- 2015
- Location
- Soldier Creek Floodway (Poudre Trl, w of Shields)
- Description
-
For “Water Crossings,” artist Joe McGrane created an interactive and interpretive plaza that highlights the historic crossings of the Poudre River and its tributaries. It provides a place for people to connect with each other and the evolving history of Ft. Collins. The plaza consists of a stacked sandstone boulder amphitheater overlooking the river and infiltration channel.
The center piece is a carved sandstone “floodway” table that maps the West Vine Basin and the floodway within it. Streets and the floodway are carved into the surface. Schools are marked with engraved brass caps. Five steel framed, porcelain enamel graphic panels illustrate the significant historical crossings of Soldier Creek including the Overland Stage Route, the GSL&P Railroad, Spring Canyon Dam, the current bike path, and an overall view of the residential interface.
Photos
View of the plaza looking northwest toward the foot bridge and Poudre River
The carved sandstone floodway table maps the West Vine Basin and the floodway within it
Schools are marking on the floodway table map with engraved brass caps.
The five porcelain enamel panels illustrate the significant historical crossings of Soldier Creek including the Overland Stage Route, the GSL&P Railroad, Spring Canyon Dam, the current bike path, and an overall view of the residential interface
One if the 5 porcalain enamel panels: The overall view of the residential interface with the waterway.
One if the 5 porcalain enamel panels: 2014 Floodway, habitat, and trail improvements reconnect Soldier Creek to the Poudre River
One if the 5 porcelain enamel panels: 1956 Horsetooth Reservoir fills Solider Canyon
One if the 5 porcelain enamel panels: 1880 The Greeley, Salt Lake and Pacific Railroad lays tracks to the stout quarries
One if the 5 porcelain enamel panels: 1860 The Overland Trail crosses the creek of its way to Laporte