Arboretum master plan takes root

The UW, the Arboretum Foundation and Seattle Parks and Recreation last week released a proposed long-range master plan and final Environmental Impact Statement for the Washington Park Arboretum. The master plan is to be presented to the Seattle City Council and UW Board of Regents for formal adoption, probably in February or March.

Key elements include renovation of 30 existing plant exhibits and creation of 21 new plant exhibits; reorientation of some pedestrian trails; construction of a pedestrian/bicycle trail along Lake Washington Boulevard; renovation and expansion of existing facilities near the Graham Visitors Center; construction of a new pavilion and entrance to the Japanese Garden; addition of two pedestrian overpasses, one across Lake Washington Boulevard and one across Foster Island Drive; and traffic-flow improvements.

For more information visit: http://www.ci.seattle.wa.us/parks/arboretum/arboPlanindex.htm.

The arboretum, which attracts thousands of visitors every year, would get some improvements under a new proposed master plan. Photo by Mary Levin

The 230-acre arboretum is owned and operated cooperatively by the UW’s College of Forest Resources and the City of Seattle, with support from the Arboretum Foundation, a non-profit membership organization that provides funding and volunteers.

“The three governing entities have worked cooperatively and diligently like never before to develop a plan to ensure a solid future for this local institution and its international reputation,” says John Wott, UW professor of urban horticulture and director of the arboretum.

The UW owns, designs and maintains the plant collections. Under the plan, the arboretum will remain a largely wooded setting with trails and open spaces while undergoing a renovation and re-orientation of the woody plant collection. Almost 50 percent of the collection is in fair to poor condition: some trees and shrubs are dying from old age and many others have suffered from storm damage, vandalism and overcrowding.

The plan provides for the maintenance of the second- and third-growth native forest, improvements of taxonomic exhibits such as the Japanese maples, development of ecological displays, conservation of endangered plants, renovation of Azalea Way and restoration of historic rockeries.

The UW also offers educational programs at the arboretum, last year serving 6,000 school children and adults. Current offerings would be expanded, new programs developed and interpretive signs for collections improved under the proposed plan.

Since 1994, more than 4,500 citizens have commented on the master plan and EIS. The city council will conduct at least one public hearing in February or March.