Published May 19 2014
The Bellevue Botanical Garden Society has received a $500,000 donation pledge from the PJA Foundation to help fund construction of a new education and visitor center, an expanded parking area and new gardens at the Bellevue Botanical Garden.
David Ketter, president of the PJA Foundation, announced the pledge following a hard-hat tour of the construction site in April. "The Foundation wants to support projects that have permanence and promote education and outreach -- and this is just such a project," said Ketter. "We are thrilled to be able to contribute to the Growing a Living Legacy campaign and help the Garden grow."
"We are ecstatic to receive this major pledge from the PJA Foundation," said Denise Lane, chair of the Bellevue Botanical Garden Society's capital campaign committee. "Our new buildings will open to the public on June 14, and we are now in the home stretch of our capital campaign. Words cannot express our gratitude for this gift, which has put us much closer to our goal."
The PJA Foundation is dedicated to promoting the love of horticulture in the general public. The foundation's longstanding support of the Botanical Garden has been instrumental in establishing the Garden as a regional treasure, with more than 300,000 visitors each year.
Over the years, grants from the Seattle-based PJA Foundation have supported education and outreach programs and many garden development projects including way-finding and interpretation signs, a plant database and enhancements to the Rock and Ground Cover gardens. A grant from the PJA Foundation also funded The Ravine Experience, which features a 150-foot suspension bridge in a woodland area of the Garden.
Ketter stressed how important the Growing a Living Legacy Campaign -- and the resulting Garden expansion -- is to the community:
"For those who have loved the Garden for years or those who have just found it -- this is your chance to be part of something amazing. The window is closing. I urge you to become part of this opportunity today."
The new facility will open with a ribbon-cutting ceremony followed by an open house on Saturday, June 14, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, call 425-452-2750.