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1. What is Swoon?

Swoon is a new interactive public art structure located in the Central Meadow close to the Chambers Creek bridge entrance. This is a permanent structure for the public to place locks (or commonly known as “love locks”) onto. The metal poles are a representation of the natural environment of the grass swaying in the wind at Chambers Creek Regional Park and are designed in a way to capture the industrial history of the site. 

 We ask that you do not climb, hang from, or bend the reeds in order to place a lock. Please don’t use a lock to connect multiple reeds or add string or other materials to connect reeds. Locks are meant to stack vertically on top of one another. The County reserves the right to remove locks that are deemed unsafe or damage the artwork.  Locks will be properly recycled. 

The new key receptacles are a permanent solution for you to “throw away the key”.  In the past, keys have been tossed into the Puget Sound which pose a threat to marine life and the environment. Please use the key receptacles and protect the local marine life.

2. Who built it?

Pierce County’s Arts Commission selected a design for a public art piece at Chambers Creek Regional Park that compels people to place ‘love locks’ onto the art structure instead of the existing bridge cables.  The artist/architect is Rohleder Borges Architecture.

3. Where did the funding come from?

This project was funded by the Pierce County 1% for the Arts Program. This program supports our mission to increase access to the arts for all Pierce County residents through a lasting legacy of publicly held artwork located in county-owned or county-leased facilities. For more information, visit www.PierceCountyWA.gov/Arts or email [email protected].  

4. Can I place or leave my lock on the Chambers Creek Bridge?

No. Unfortunately, over the years the locks have caused damage to the bridge’s cables. The extra weight to the cables creates a structural issue, which is a safety hazard for the train tracks below the bridge. Over the years, we’ve removed problematic locks and recycled them. But due to the popularity of the site, a permanent solution was needed that is sustainable for County taxpayers, the community at large, and the bridge.  

We want the community to continue to show off their “love locks” and that is why we installed Swoon, a new interacting public art structure near the bridge. We are excited for this new artwork and welcome old and new locks to be added to it!  

5. When do I need to remove my lock from the bridge?

Please remove your lock by Sunday, April 16, 2023. You will either need a key or remember your lock combination to remove the lock.   

6. What if I don’t remember my lock combination, have a key, and/or don’t remove my lock by April 16?

All locks remaining on the bridge after April 16 will be removed and properly recycled. Locks will not be kept after April 16.   

7. What if I want to keep my lock but need help removing it?

Please reach out to Bret Burgess, [email protected], to coordinate a time before April 16.