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City of Seattle
Gregory J. Nickels, Mayor
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NEWS ADVISORY
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| SUBJECT: Seattle Parks To Dedicate Improvements At Kubota Garden
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
4/11/2005 10:29:00 AM |
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Joelle Ligon (206) 233-7929
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Seattle Parks To Dedicate Improvements At
Kubota Garden
Seattle Parks and Recreation Superintendent Ken Bounds will join Councilmember
David Della, the Kubota Garden Foundation, and the community to dedicate the
completion of recent improvements at Kubota Garden. The event will take place
on Saturday, April 16, from 1 to 2 p.m. at the garden, 9817 55th Ave. S.
Improvements at the park include the construction of three new ADA accessible
pathways, a new entryway experience, restrooms, and infrastructure to support
the garden's health and maintainability. The $1 million construction project
was funded by the voter-approved 2000 Pro Parks Levy.
Events at the dedication include a performance by Northwest Taiko, traditional
Japanese performance art and music, maps for self-guided tours of the 20-acre
park, light snacks, and an official ribbon-cutting. This hidden gem of a park
is always free and open to the public. Kubota Garden is a stunning landscape
that blends Japanese garden concepts with native Northwest plants. The City
acquired the property, which is an historic landmark, in 1987 from the estate
of master landscaper Fujitaro Kubota. Kubota was a horticultural pioneer when
he began merging Japanese design techniques with North American materials in
his display garden in 1927. The garden is a spectacular setting of hills and
valleys, interlaced with streams, waterfalls, ponds, bridges, and rock outcroppings
with a rich array of plant material.
Approved by Seattle voters in 2000, the $198.2 million Pro Parks Levy is funding
more than 100 projects throughout the city over eight years. Projects include
improvements to athletic fields, playgrounds, trails and community centers and
parks. Funding will also increase green spaces, support Zoo programs and enhance
park maintenance.
This project will help build a stronger community and healthy families, one
of Mayor Greg Nickel's highest priorities for Seattle.
For more information, please contact Joelle Ligon at joelle.ligon@seattle.gov
or (206) 233-7929.
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Seattle Parks and Recreation
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