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Native Plant Synoptic Garden
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Introduction
Site Location
The Washington Park Arboretum is located in the middle of Seattle’s Montlake Neighborhood.
Its location amidst a growing metropolitan
city underscores the importance of its
existence. This large park provides both
wildlife habitat as well as such cultural
amenities as recreation and education. The
location of our design proposal is by the
Graham Visitors Center along Arboretum
Drive (please refer to the Design section
for a descriptive map).
History of Washington Park Arboretum
The Washington Park Arboretum
was founded officially in 1934 when an
agreement was signed by the University of
Washington and the City of Seattle,
allowing the university to develop and
manage the Arboretum. The Arboretum
Foundation was founded soon after, in
1935, as its major support organization
(Washington Park Arboretum 2004).
With the help of donations from the Seattle Garden Club in 1936, James F. Dawson and
Frederick Law Olmsted Jr. of the Olmsted Brothers landscape firm were hired to design the first
planting design. The Arboretum has many historical features such as Azalea Way and Stone
Cottage where 500 men were hired through the Public Works Administration during the Great
Depression to construct these features. After World War II, Brian O. Mulligan became director
of the Arboretum. He modified the original design by siting plants in improved locations and
emphasized the importance of designing with a focus (Washington Park Arboretum 2004).
In the late 1970’s a master plan update resolved problems and disagreements between the
city, university and surrounding Arboretum neighborhood. The University of Washington