The Bellevue Botanical Garden Society has received a $506,000 gift from The PJA Foundation toward the Growing a Living Legacy Campaign for the garden.
The gift will fund the new Ravine Garden, offering views from a suspension bridge into an area of the garden that features the Cascadia experience focused on northwest native plants.
The foundation, which promotes a love of horticulture, has been a longstanding donor to the garden. Its grants over 14 years have supported the garden’s education and outreach activities, as well as garden development including the Alpine Rock Garden and the waterfall and ponds in the Shorts Ground Cover Garden.
“We have had a wonderful long-term relationship with the garden and are very proud that the garden has become an important institution in the region and nationally,” said foundation President David Ketter. “We believe that the Growing a Living Legacy capital campaign will result in garden improvements that enhance an already distinguished public resource.”
The improvements will include new education and visitor services centers, designed by internationally acclaimed Seattle architectural firm Olson Kundig Architects. The new facilities will provide much needed space for K-5 and adult education programs, as well as garden orientation and amenities.
World renowned plant collector and author, Dan Hinkley, is serving as horticultural consultant on the project, collaborating with landscape architect Barbara Swift. In addition to the new Ravine Garden, a new Wetland Sun Terrace Garden will be developed, as well as improved circulation and parking.
The garden is owned by the City of Bellevue and managed through a partnership between the city and the Bellevue Botanical Garden Society. With the gift from The PJA Foundation and the city’s commitment, $7.2 million has now been raised toward the $11 million goal.
“We really believe that the garden is a treasure, not only for Bellevue, but for the entire region,” said Capital Campaign Chair, Denise Lane. “We are so grateful to The PJA Foundation for supporting the Bellevue Botanical Garden.”
