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Washington Park Arboretum
Parks and Green Spaces Levy
Project Information

Location: 2300 Arboretum Dr E, Seattle WA 98112

Project Status

February 2013
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:

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

Washington Park Arboretum – North Entry and Multi-use Trail
This project initially provided 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 Consultant Selection Committee recommended that The Berger Partnership be hired to provide design services for the project and Parks moved forward with that recommendation. This work was done with anticipation of construction funding.

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. For meeting presentation and notes please see below.

The City will receive $7.8 million from WSDOT to fund implementation of the project. Arboretum Botanical Gardens Committee held a well attended press conference to announce this funding in January 2013. Final design and permitting will take place in 2013 and construction will start toward the end of 2014.

New Zealand Focal Forest
The New Zealand Focal Forest is under construction by W.S. Contractors. Infrastructure will be complete winter 2013 and planting will occur in June-July of 2013. This project includes Phase III of the Washington Park Arboretum, Lake Washington boulevard lighting project and additional planting in the Gateway to Chile which have both been completed. The New Zealand focal forest plants were propagated from seed of a known provenance.

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.

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LOCATION	2300 Arboretum Dr E Seattle, WA 98112
BUDGET	The Parks and Green Spaces Levy provides $2.5 million for this project. Significant additional funding provided by the Arboretum Foundation
SCHEDULE	Planning: 2009-2012 Construction: 2010-2012

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.

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