How Lakewood, WA, replaced a high-maintenance facility with a vandal-resistant, low-maintenance public restroom.
Lakewood, WA (Wards Lake Park)
Park entrance, adjacent to a playground area
Park guests
2025
High vandalism area with limited sightlines
Installation of one Portland Loo® prefabricated restroom with custom vinyl art wrap
Wards Lake Park faced a headache common to municipalities. The existing park restroom was a traditional CMU (concrete block) restroom built in 2004. The facilities had become a burden on the city’s staff and budget. Because the site lacks natural surveillance (meaning it isn’t easily visible from nearby roads or developments), the traditional building provided too much privacy, making it a prime target for vandals. This impacted the city’s maintenance staff and frequently made the restroom unavailable for public use.
With the park’s existing restroom facilities reaching the end of their useful life and having become a magnet for vandalism, the city’s Parks Department sought a new restroom solution.
After discovering The Portland Loo® at a WRPA (Washington Recreation & Park Association) conference, Lakewood’s Parks Director saw an opportunity for a creative pilot project.
The city chose the Loo for its open-bottom louvers and heavy-duty stainless steel construction; design factors specifically integrated to deter the vandalism that plagued their previous facility.
To truly integrate the unit into the community and discourage graffiti and other vandalism, the city commissioned a local artist to create a custom vinyl wrap, turning a functional, prefabricated restroom into a piece of public art.
The Portland Loo® solved the blind spot surveillance issue with its patented design intended to reduce vandalism and misuse.
Based on the success of the Wards Lake Park project, the city is considering The Portland Loo® for future park development projects.
Despite minor delays due to local IBC code updates and electrical service upgrades, the unit was successfully integrated into a multi-phased park renovation.
Our prefabricated restrooms are ideal for many types of environments, including:
Downtown corridors and civic centers
Waterfronts and promenades
Transit hubs and transportation corridors
High-traffic tourism areas
Commercial Spaces
Ready to solve your city’s public restroom challenges? Let’s discuss how The Portland Loo® can work in your community.
Interchangeable components
The Portland Loo® is built to fully comply with ADA Standards.
WHY IS THE LOO BETTER THAN ‘AUTOMATED’ ALTERNATIVES?
Automated restrooms prioritize privacy but often compromise safety, durability, and comfort. The Portland Loo® is uniquely designed to balance user privacy with public safety, ensuring a clean, safe, and accommodating restroom experience. Its minimal design also lowers maintenance costs compared to more complex automated alternatives.
Interchangeable components
Made with commonly used components, upgrading or replacing pieces of The Portland Loo® is easy.
CAN THE LOO COME IN CUSTOM COLORS?
Yes, the Loo can be customized in a range of colors to match your city’s unique needs and aesthetic. The standard gray color includes anti-graffiti properties, allowing graffiti to be easily removed from the unit.
Discourages crime
The restroom was designed with Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design by using high traffic areas and visibility to deter illegal activities and generate high usage rates.
HOW DOES THE LOO HELP REDUCE INAPPROPRIATE USE, SUCH AS PROSTITUTION OR DRUGS USE?
Angled louvers on the top and bottom of the restroom provide limited lines of sight for public officials to detect inappropriate use. Installing the Loo in areas designed with Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) principles can enhance this feature’s effectiveness.
Anti-graffiti walls
Protected with an anti-graffiti powder-coat, the restroom can take a lot of abuse, and is easy to maintain with a cleaning hose and janitorial supplies stored in the mechanical closet.
HOW LONG CAN I EXPECT THE LOO TO LAST?
Constructed from highly durable stainless steel and designed to resist vandalism, the Loo is built to last for decades with proper maintenance.
Open safety-grating
These open grates provide excellent visibility, allowing for easy monitoring while maintaining user privacy.
HOW DOES THE LOO HELP REDUCE INAPPROPRIATE USE, SUCH AS PROSTITUTION OR DRUGS USE?
Angled louvers on the top and bottom of the restroom provide limited lines of sight for public officials to detect inappropriate use. Installing the Loo in areas designed with Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) principles can enhance this feature’s effectiveness.
