Seattle Community Network
Sites of the Week
January 25 - February 22, 1999
SCN Site-
Arboretum Park Preservation Coalition
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"The Washington Park Arboretum is beloved of people throughout the city. A
new master plan - sponsored by the Arboretum Foundation, the University of
Washington and the Seattle Department of Parks and Recreation -
jeopardizes the balance between park and arboretum, and threatens green
and open space, shorelines and urban wildlife habitat. This new master
plan costs $45 million public and private dollars, to fund the
construction of a tourist facility and administrative office complex for
the Arboretum Foundation and the University of Washington in the park.
"Washington Park offers open space and an environment rare in the cityscape. We fight against losing any part of it to facilities and structures that are readily available outside the park. Parking lots and buildings for rental space, offices, classrooms, souvenir shops and restaurants are elements of an urban society that people go to the Arboretum to escape. APPC represents citizen groups throughout the city who are alarmed by the objectives of the proposed master plan. We believe that the City should preserve the park for the use of all, and keep the park's natural spaces inviolate."