Washington Park Arboretum
Parks and Green Spaces Levy
Project Information

Location: 2300 Arboretum Dr E, Seattle WA 98112

Project Status

September 2011
Seattle Parks and Recreation, the University of Washington and the Arboretum Foundation are planning for the continuation of the implementation of the master plan. This plan ensures the Washington Park Arboretum will effectively fulfill three primary purposes, conservation, recreation and education, for decades to come.

The various projects that are being developed are the following:

• Implementation of Cascadia and New Zealand focal forests
• Gateway to Chile garden - Complete
• North Entry and Multi-use Trail

Washington Park Arboretum – North Entry and Multi-use Trail: This project provides scoping and conceptual design for a redeveloped North Entry to Washington Park Arboretum and a multi-use trail from the intersection of East Madison to the North Entry and the Montlake and University neighborhoods beyond. The design will renew the sense of entry at the North end of the park assuming the demolition of the SR 520 ramps. The Consultant Selection Committee recommended that The Berger Partnership be hired to provide design services for the project and Parks moved forward with that recommendation.

A second meeting for the design of the North Entry and Multi-use Trail was held Aug. 31, 2011, presentation and notes below. Together, The Berger Partnership and Seattle Parks presented preliminary conceptual design alternatives at the first public meeting for this project on June 8, 2011. The community provided input to assist the designers in developing a preferred alternative. This phase of design is funded but, at this time there is no funding dedicated for construction. For meeting presentation and notes please see below.

Design of the New Zealand Focal Forest is complete. The New Zealand focal forest will be constructed once the plants, propagated from seed, have reached a level of maturity and can be installed. The plants are currently being propagated from seed of a known provenance. These plants will reach maturity for planting in early spring 2013 and construction will start in summer 2012. In preparation for this project a number of trees will be removed over the next year and a half and will be replaced at a rate far greater than 2:1.

A public meeting was held in January 2010 to provide the community an update on these developments. Please see notes below.

Thank you Seattle! The Gateway to Chile project, the first project funded by this Levy in the Arboretum, is complete.
This project restores the once overgrown Holmdahl Rockery and creates an eye-catching display of colorful Chilean plant species.

Together the partners from the University of Washington and the Arboretum Foundation along with community members celebrated the opening on October 17, 2010.

A groundbreaking ceremony for the Gateway to Chile was held in June 2010. A public meeting and tour where held in March 2010. Information from this meeting is to the right under Gateway to Chile Briefing.

Project Description

The master plan for renewing the Washington Park Arboretum was adopted by City Council and the University of Washington Board of Regents in May 2001. The University, City and the Arboretum Foundation are working together to continue implementing the master plan.

Continuing construction on the Pacific Connections Garden project is a priority because of its visibility and the ability to fulfill the primary elements of the master plan - conservation, education and recreation.

Community Participation

Public Meeting 01/13/2010

• Notes

Public Tour 03/10/2010

• Notes

Public Meeting for North Entry and Multi-use Trail 06/8/2011

• Agenda
• Notes
• Presentation

Public Meeting for Master Plan 06/29/2011

• Notes

Public Meeting for North Entry and Multi-use Trail 08/31/2011

• Presentation
• Notes

Important Links

• Seattle Parks and Recreation
• Parks & Green Spaces Levy
• University of Washington Botanic Gardens
• Arboretum Foundation
• Pacific Connections Pro Parks Project
• Arboretum Master Plan

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