Camp-in container unveiled at Tolt-MacDonald Park

Published 11:56 am Friday, September 21, 2012

King County Parks staff unveiled a new camping structure, recycled from a used cargo container, at Tolt-MacDonald Park.

The structure, designed by HyBrid Architecture, is now available for online reservations for campers who want to take advantage of its site, along the Snoqualmie River near Carnation. Parks staff, along with architect Joel Egan, were on hand at the open house to discuss the ecologically sound and innovative aspects of the cargo container camping structure.

The 24-foot-long container is nestled between tall trees, near the footbridge connecting the east and west portions of the park. Its adaptable floor plan features a full-sized bunk bed, table and multi-purpose cabinet made from deconstructed kitchens and reclaimed materials that can be moved outside for more floor space inside. Reclaimed materials used in the structure include old soccer goals that were converted into a green wall and a door that is now the kitchen table.

Parks staff adapted Egan’s award-winning schematic designs. “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.

Visit www.kingcounty.gov/recreation/parks/rentals/camping.aspx, or call (206) 205-5434, to make reservations. Cost for an overnight stay is $50.