Gift of SUN Park Celebrated

Sunday, April 17, 2009, was a great day for SUN (Saving Urban Nature) Native Plant Park. The official ribbon-cutting celebration and dedication attracted many of the more than 500 supporters, along with Seattle Parks and Cascade Land Conservancy officials. The park is located at the corner of NE 47th St. and 47th Ave. NE across from Laurelhurst Elementary School.

The creation of SUN Park took three years and has been totally funded by private donations from past and present Laurelhurst residents and their friends. It is a gift to the neighborhood. The Friends of SUN Park have partnered with Cascade Land Conservancy, a nonprofit 501.c.3 organization whose mission is to conserve great lands and create great communities.

This lovely pedestrian park and teaching garden is a spot of native Pacific Northwest nature in an urban setting. The park is a work in progress. New benches were just installed in July; next watch for coming plant signage that explains how early dwellers used native plants.

SUN’s Weed and Sweep Brigade work parties are held the second Saturday of each month at 10 a.m. and the fourth Wednesday evening of each month from 7 to 8 p.m. Stop by with your favorite garden tool to keep the park in shape. Dana and Matt Thomlinson are leading the Brigade, and they welcome your help (dana-matt@hotmail.com).

If you are enjoying this new green community corner, please contact Dixie Porter (dixiejoporter@hotmail.com or 383-0147) or Jean Amick (525-7065) to donate to the SUN maintenance fund for irrigation this summer and fall. SUN park also has a "no-cost-to-you" ongoing fund raiser with the Metropolitan Market. If you buy a $100 Gift Card/Script from Dixie or Jean (see contacts above), the Met donates $5 to SUN Park. It's a win-win opportunity.

Above: SUN Park steering committee members (L-R): Betsy Amick Conrad, Jill Ryan, Dixie Porter, Colleen McAleer, Jean Amick, Nancy Cahill,
Leslie Wright, Cary Lassen, Georgene Camp, Betty Bottler, and Laurie Snider. Photos courtesy of Rich Kaplan and Phyllis Dukes.