The Bellevue Botanical Garden’s newest feature – a pedestrian suspension bridge that will give visitors an intimate view of the plants, wildlife and forest canopy of a wooded ravine – will be celebrated with a ribbon-cutting on Sunday, May 13.

The 12:30 p.m. ribbon cutting will be followed by a Mother’s Day Social at the Shorts Visitor Center, 1-4 p.m., with light refreshments and music by Interlake High School.

The “Ravine Experience” includes a 150-foot long, 5-foot wide bridge and a one-third mile long nature trail that completes the Garden’s Ravine Trail Loop. video

The project was completed this spring with funding from the 2008 Parks and Natural Areas Levy and $506,000 from The PJA Foundation, which promotes horticulture. The Ravine Experience occupies a section of property acquired with the help of a 2005 King County Conservation Futures grant.

The ribbon cutting will take place rain or shine, so visitors are advised to dress for the weather and wear comfortable walking shoes.

The bridge was designed by Sahale LLC and Michael Roberts; Seattle Bridge and JEM construction built the bridge.

The Botanical Garden, 12001 Main St., is owned by the city of Bellevue and managed through a partnership with Bellevue Botanical Garden Society. The society is leading a fundraising campaign for garden improvements, including the ravine and a planned visitor center. With money from the Parks Levy factored in, the BBG Society has raised $8 million toward a target of $11 million.

More information is available by calling 425-452-2750 or at www.bellevuebotanical.org.