Background of the Project
The Mt. Baker Ridge Viewpoint was a community-driven project. Special thanks to all the wonderful Mt. Baker and Leschi neighborhood volunteers, the Mt. Baker Community Club, and St. Clement’s Episcopal Church.
Community Steering Committee:
David Berger, chair. Paul Barry, Matthew Cohen, Ken Coleman, Sharon Eschbach Coleman, Karen DeWinter, Douglas Jackson, Kim Kemp, Jerry Morales, Diane Morris and Brogan Thomsen;
And also Gayle Barker, Chris Buening, Lynn Clark, Aliza Corrado, Nicole Francois, Linda Lee, Dawn MacMillion, Nannette Martin, Bob Moser, Mike Rosen, Connie Pritchard, Jennifer Morales, Ken Valder, Rebecca Weber and Rod Williams.
Designers: Nate Cormier and Mark Johnson, of Jones & Jones Architects and Landscape Architects
Contractor: A-1 Landscaping & Construction
Seattle Parks & Recreation Project Managers: Peter Donohue, construction, and Pamela Kliment, project development
Department of Neighborhoods officer: Anne Takekawa
Graphics: Aliza Corrado (Studio Motif)
Signage: Cynthia Hall
Fiscal sponsor: Mt. Baker Community Club (special thanks to Pat Murakami and Sandy McKean)
Time Line
1999
Petition to Washington State Department of Transportation expressing
community’s desire for a park.
2001
The Community Steering Committee forms.
Site acquisition effort begins.
2002
Site Acquisition effort continues.
2003
Seattle Parks purchases the property from Washington Dept. of Transportation.
The design team is selected.
Public community meetings 1 and 2 are held.
Fundraising for design development and construction begins.
2004
Public community meetings 3 and 4 are held.
Fundraising for design development and construction continues.
Mt. Baker Ridge Viewpoint Auction, October 22.
2005-2007
Grant writing, neighborhood events and fundraising continues.
Mt. Baker Neighborhood Tour of Gardens, July 16, 2005
2008
Construction begins April 14.
2009
Dedication on March 20, the Spring Equinox.
Project Funding
Many gave generously of their time and resources to make this project a reality. We are deeply grateful. This project could not have happened without you. Thank you.
Public Funding:
City of Seattle, Pro Parks Levy Opportunity Fund (development), $225,000
City of Seattle, Capital Improvement Project, $200,000
Washington State Department of Transportation, $175,000
City of Seattle, Neighborhood Matching Fund Large Project grant, $100,000
City of Seattle, Pro Parks Levy Opportunity Fund (acquisition), $65,000
City of Seattle, Neighborhood Matching Fund Small & Simple grants, $40,000
King County Community Fund, $10,000
Corporate and Foundation Funding:
Starbucks Neighborhood Parks Program, $15,000
Safeco Insurance, $10,000
Norcliffe Foundation, $10,000
Seattle Foundation, $5,000
Mt. Baker Community Club, $2,000
Individual Major Donors:
Comets (over $10,000)
Art and Dorothy Oberto
Planets ($3,000-$4,999)
Anna J. Gloster, for bench in honor of John Anthony Gloster
Kathy Helton, for bench in honor of Anna J. Gloster
The Thomsen brothers – Brogan, Keehn, Burchard – and mom Gretchen and their “Greenway” dad, Ted
Stars ($1,000-$2,999)
Ken and Sharon Coleman
Tanya Brunner and David Landau
Karen Daubert and Jared Smith
Jerry and Jen Morales
Jill and Joseph McKinstry
Cheryl Kay and Earl Sedlik
Carlyn Steiner
Sherry and Raymond Williams
And thanks to the following local businesses:
That’s Amore Italian Cafe, Sweet & Savory, Largo LLC (Mt. Baker Ridge Building), Alexander/Thrasher (Edifice Construction), Artemis Gallery, EdwardJones, Johnson Barrow, Inc. & Urban Vines.
Dedication Event, March 20, 2009
Ribbon Cutting at the Dedication. From left, councilperson Tom Rasmussen, steering-committee members Jerry Morales and Paul Barry, neighborhood family, and committee chair David Berger with scissors.