A Community Effort to Create Silent Symphony Public Art & Plantings
At the entrance to Lancaster’s Amtrak station alongside the replaced Thaddeus Steven’s bridge sits the ‘Silent Symphony’ sculpture, a tall wind sculpture rising from the streetscape to greet Lancaster City residents and travelers.
The Silent Symphony sculpture was designed by sculptor and Public Art Manager for the City of Lancaster, Lyman Whitaker. The concept of a feature sculpture was first presented by a landscape architect at PennDOT’s Lititz Pike Bridge replacement planning effort and took multiple parties from both the private and public sectors to bring to life.
Since its completion in 2015, Whitaker’s ornamental design of 42 clustered wind sculptures has become an unmistakable design feature at the northern edge of Lancaster City. Reliant on sustainable wind power, the kinetic Silent Symphony sculpture enchants thousands of rail passengers, motorists, and pedestrians who experience them each day.
Landscape Design Creates Visual Interplay Between Sculpture and Nature
At the base of the sculpture sits a landscape designed with predominately native plants, courtesy of the complimentary plant design of RGS’ team of landscape architects.
The visual interplay between sculpture and nature connects viewers to the shared dynamic of air movement. Like the sculpture, the plantings rely upon wind passing over this site’s exposed hillside to provide dramatic movement of native grasses, giant coneflowers, spring bulbs, and other durable, lower-maintenance plantings.
As a part of its mission to create great places where people live, work, and play, RGS dedicated its time, energy, and resources to this worthwhile beautification project undertaken by the City of Lancaster. RGS donated its planting design services and organized volunteer groups to help with the planting efforts. The connection that the Silent Symphony creates between public art and gardens is a meaningful investment in the culture and vibrancy of our city.