Request for Qualifications (RFQ)
City of Wilsonville Seeks Artist or Artist Team to Create a new
Artwork(s) for Boones Ferry Park – The Essence of the River
Application Deadline: February 12, 2025 at 2:00pm
Budget: To not exceed: $100,000
Contact: Erika Valentine, Arts & Culture Program Coordinator, Evalentine@ci.wilsonville.or.us, 503-570-1629
Project Description and Background
The City of Wilsonville, Oregon is requesting qualifications from talented artist(s) and/or artist team(s) to
create a new and engaging public artwork(s) for Boones Ferry Park, a ~15-acre park adjacent to the
Willamette River. Also located at this park is the historic Tauchman House, formerly the home to the
operator of the historic Boones Ferry. A large new inclusive playground, installed in 2024 has reactivated
and enlivened this space. The playground design includes themes of the City’s History and the significance
of the Willamette River.
This park is intended to serve the larger community as well as the local neighborhood.; The 2018 Boones
Ferry Master Plan is the result of an extensive public process involving members of the general public,
City Council, Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, Planning Commission, as well as Wilsonville Parks and
Recreation staff. Within the plan, a desire for a greater connection to the river was a common theme. The
plan takes this to heart and combines it with a desire to retain aspects that make Boones Ferry Park special
today, including its quiet greenness, relaxed atmosphere, and connection to the historic past.
The theme for this Public Art Project is “The Essence of the River.” The Willamette River flows from west
to east through town and was historically the site of a ferry and sternwheeler landing.
Desired Outcomes
It is desired that the artwork(s) celebrates and pulls inspiration from the river and surrounding natural
areas in the park. The artwork(s) should be site-specific and engaging for users of all ages, backgrounds,
1|Page
and abilities. Universal design can be thought of as an intersection of inclusivity, accessibility, and usability
for community members regardless of age, disability, or other factors.
The awarded artist/ team should display a strong portfolio of engaging, complex, and interactive public
art projects depicting experience and effectiveness working with a variety of stakeholders to receive and
implement feedback. The project awardee should be capable of managing their fabrication and
installation, while coordinating and communicating effectively with City Staff.
About the City
Located at the southernmost end of the Portland metropolitan area, Wilsonville is the gateway to the
Willamette Valley. Once a small farming community, Wilsonville is now a thriving city of more than
26,000 residents who enjoy the small-town charms of ‘country living’ just 17 miles from downtown
Portland.
Total Budget
This is an all-inclusive budget, not to exceed $100,000. The selected artist/ team are responsible for their
own items, as well as fabrication and installation beginning to end. This may include, but is not limited to
travel, costs associated with the design such as engineering approvals, materials, fabrication, delivery, site
preparations, physical installation, and liability insurance.
Site Information
The Boones Ferry Park Site was an important stop on what was a busy thoroughfare around the turn of
the 20th century. With the development of highways and freeways, like Interstate 5 in the 1950’s, it
changed from a stop along the road to the end of the road—a quiet and somewhat forgotten place left
to be rediscovered by local residents, dogwalkers, and those seeking access to the river for fishing,
paddling, or a break from the normal routine of life.
The park today has several distinct areas with their own special characteristics. South of Tauchman
Street, which borders a portion of the park’s northern side is an expansive lawn sloping gently down to a
wall of trees that occupy the steep bank next to the Willamette River. A natural wooded area divides the
old and new sections of the park and pulls the wildness of the river bank up and through the park and
into the adjacent neighborhood to the north.
A new playground was completed in 2024 with river-inspired elements aligning with the Boones Ferry
Master Plan, such as a blue winding ‘river’ throughout the turf, depictions of local wildlife, and signage
depicting historic events. The playground emphasizes universal design, which gives community
members of all abilities from across Wilsonville and the region a place to play, explore, and grow. The
new playground replaced the former one which was 26 years old.
2|Page
In addition to the new playground are new restrooms and new landscaping. New parking and a new
walking path will be installed in the parallel progression of park improvements.
More information about the park and its amenities can be found online at
www.wilsonvilleparksandrec.com/parksrec/page/boones-ferry-park
Site Details (Images, measurements, etc.)
There are three (3) Zones or location options for Public Art at this site. Artist(s) may choose to create
either separate works for multiple locations; OR choose to only focus entirely on one of the zones. The
project budget of $100,000 awarded to the selected artist/ team does not change based on if an Artist is
installing works at one or multiple zones.
Each zone can accommodate approximately a 10-ft x 10-ft (or 10-ft in diameter) base, and a height limit
of 18-feet. Please note that the exact locations of outlines are approximate, and the selected artist/
team will have some flexibility on exact placement.
Oregon has shorter Autumn and Winter days. Artists/teams are encouraged to incorporate a lighting
plan for their finished work(s) as a system for viewer enjoyment and vandalism deterrent. The City may
consider moving electrical access to any of the identified zones for the awardee(s). If the artist/team
chooses not to include their own lighting system, the City may add uplighting at their determination.
3|Page
Zone 1
Description: This zone is the most visible of the zones upon entering the park. It is off the main pathway
past the restrooms and on the way to the playground. Artists should expect interaction with the work,
especially by children, due to its close proximity to the playground. While the area is sloped, grading can
be done by The City. Please note there are future plans to adjust and shift the pathway behind the zone,
so there will not be a walkway coming up directly to the ‘back’ of the zone.
4|Page
Zone 2
Description: This zone is in a large circular ‘planter’ like space that has future plans for landscaping.
Landscaping on the top half of the circle will be taller and larger, in order to create a barrier between
the rentable Tauchman House (below) and the Playground (above). Landscaping on lower half of circle
and in the center is flexible based on artwork specification.
5|Page
This is the opportunity summary page. It provides an overview of this opportunity and a preview of the attached documentation.
