Heart Bomb for Gas Works Park

 

2/17/26 Gas Works Park

Built in the early 1900s, a coal gasification plant had operated on the shores of Lake Union until 1956. The mammoth, steam punkish remnants are on the historic register. The only remaining of their kind in the nation, the gasworks are a central feature of Seattle’s Gas Works Park, which opened to the public in 1975.

Despite ample signage and barriers intended to keep people from climbing the structures, trespassers still do, and some have died. The Seattle Parks Department recently applied to the Landmarks Preservation Board to take down the potentially hazardous gasworks. The Historic Seattle organization says: “We believe there are better solutions to preserve and reinforce most of these elements so that they may continue to tell the story of this Landmark, while also removing elements that provide access to the towers.” The decision has been tabled for now, and the Parks Department has been encouraged to consider more “preservation friendly options.”

That sky may look sunny, but the "feels like" temp was 37 degrees with the windchill!
(Photo by Kim Roberts)

To raise awareness of the issue, Historic Seattle held a “heart bomb” last Tuesday at Gas Works Park. What is a heart bomb? It’s “a public display of affection for places that matter. Every February, people across the country gather at historic sites and local landmarks (both safe and threatened).” 

Huh – I had never heard of it until now, but it sounded like a great sketch opportunity. As Gas Works is my favorite city park and a beloved sketching location for USk Seattle, it seemed especially important to report on the occasion.

With an appointment right before the noon event, I was late, and the event was much shorter than I had expected. As I was walking toward the park entrance, heart bombers were already walking out carrying large heart-shaped signs. (In the organization’s Instagram reel, I saw a joyous display of hearts and smiles as Historic Seattle members and friends showed their love for the park.)

Heart bomb selfie

Although I regretted missing the gathering, I still wanted to honor my beloved gasworks with a sketch. Kim had arrived in time to sketch the event itself, so at least one of us caught it. I was told that sharing a selfie on social media and hashtagging #heartbombSEA would be an appropriate way to participate, even if I missed the event.

Although I’ve sketched at Gas Works Park many, many times, this may be my loosest interpretation yet – not by intention but because my hands were so cold! Although it was partly sunny and a somewhat tolerable 42 degrees, the top of Kite Hill is one of the windiest spots in the city year-round! BRRRR!!

Chilly Kim and me at the top of Kite Hill