Staff Report - Wind PhoneCITY OF FEDERAL WAY
MEMORANDUM
DATE: 9/4/2024
TO: Parks Commission Members
FROM: Jason H. Gerwen, Parks & Recreation Department
SUBJECT: Staff Report - Wind Phone
I have conflicting thoughts. about whether the City of Federal Way should install a wind phone or refrain from
doing so. On one hand, a wind phone could provide a deeply meaningful space for community members to
process grief, offering a place of healing and reflection. It could foster community connection, promote open
conversations about loss, and serve as an artistic and cultural symbol. On the other hand, I recognize the
challenges, particularly in light of the local homelessness issue, which raises concerns about the space being
misused or leading to negative interactions between those seeking peace and the homeless population. While the
project could offer tremendous value, the potential for vandalism, maintenance issues, and emotional discomfort
for some users also cannot be ignored. Ultimately, I can make a case both for installing the wind phone as a
beneficial public installation and for refraining from it due to the complexities it might bring. Here is a list of
pros and cons that should be considered throughout the ongoing discussion.
Pros:
Healing and Grief Support:
o The wind phone offers a unique and symbolic way for people to cope with loss. It could provide
a peaceful space for individuals to express emotions and communicate with loved ones they've
lost.
2. Community Connection:
o It can bring the community together, serving as a shared space where people of all backgrounds
come to reflect on their losses, fostering empathy and a sense of collective healing.
3. Public Awareness and Conversation:
o It may encourage more open discussions about grief, mental health, and emotional well-being,
which can reduce stigma around these topics. .
4. Artistic and Cultural Significance:
o A wind phone can become a symbol of connection, hope, and remembrance, adding artistic and
cultural value to the park.
Tourism and Visibility:
o Unique attractions like a wind phone might draw visitors from outside the community, creating a
point of interest for those curious about its symbolism.
Cons:
1. Maintenance:
o The phone booth will require ongoing maintenance, particularly in a public space where weather
or vandalism could damage it. It will need repairs or regular cleaning.
2. Vandalism or Misuse:
o Public installations can sometimes be targets for vandalism, which could detract from the
intended purpose. It could also be misused for non -reflective purposes (e.g., as a hangout spot for
teenagers).
3. Cultural Sensitivity:
o While the wind phone is a powerful symbol, some might feel that replicating a culturally
significant concept from Japan could be viewed as insensitive if not done thoughtfully. It's
important to engage the community and possibly involve experts in grief or cultural studies to
ensure it resonates properly with locals.
4. Homelessness Concerns:
o Given the local homeless issue, there's a potential for increased negative interactions between
people seeking to use the wind phone for reflection and homeless individuals who may occupy
the space, either for shelter or other purposes. This could detract from the peaceful environment
the installation aims to create.
5. Emotional Reactions:
o While it could be a source of healing for some, it may evoke negative or unexpected emotions
for others who aren't ready to confront their grief or who feel uncomfortable with the concept of
symbolic communication with the dead.
At the request of the Parks Commission, management and staff have discussed potential sites that we feel are
suitable locations for a wind phone to be installed. The preferred locations are as follows:
• Adelaide Park
• Dash Point Highlands
• Lake Killarney
• L'Origan Manor #2 - Open Space Property
• Madrona Park
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