On Monday, April 19, Seattle Parks and Recreation, in partnership with the University of Washington and the Arboretum Foundation, will begin construction of the Pacific Connections Garden, “Gateway to Chile,” which is situated at the southern intersection of Arboretum Drive and Lake Washington Boulevard. The project includes restoration of the now overgrown Holmdahl Rockery and creation of an eye-catching display of colorful Chilean plant species. The Gateway to Chile is an element of the Pacific Connections Garden Phase II.
Parks will prep the site for the project with the removal of 33 trees on Monday, April 19, 2010. The project includes the planting of 72 Chilean trees that will contribute to the horticultural collection and help educate the community and students about Chilean flora.
The Washington Park Arboretum is a living museum that hosts a diverse world of plants and is a valuable educational tool for the people of Seattle and the entire northwest. Chilean species include Fuchsia magellanica; drimys winteri varandina, or winter’s bark; embothrium coccineum, or Chilean Fire Bush; Austrocedrus chilensis, a beautiful, endangered conifer; and Pilgerodendron uviferum, a tree that can grow to be 500 years old.
Contributions from public and private sources provide for these improvements. The Arboretum Foundation is generously contributing approximately $290,000 toward the $450,000 construction cost. Additional funding comes from the Parks and Green Spaces Levy.
For more information, please contact Andy Sheffer at andy.sheffer@seattle.gov or 206-684-7041, or visit http://seattle.gov/parks/projects/arboretum/.
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