The Carkeek Gardens were planned and implemented in approximately 1996, based on the drawing of the Gardens by Russell Link, landscape architect and WA Dept of Fish & Wildlife manager. This framed drawing was originally displayed on a wall in the main meeting room of the Annex building at Carkeek Park. When the Annex was going to be rented, in approximately 2011, the drawing was moved to the ELC (Nancy Malmgren Environmental Learning Center). There it was stored between a desk and wall for several years.

The drawing was ‘rescued’ by Belinda Chin, Parks Good Food Program Coordinator, in June 2016. The drawing is historical and important because it describes the original scope and plan for the Gardens and because Russell Link is a prominent figure in Northwest wildlife and plant life planning and design. Link has published two books on Pacific NW Coast plants and wildlife (“Landscaping for Wildlife in the Pacific Northwest” and “Living with Wildlife in the Pacific Northwest”). Russell still works with the State Fish and Wildlife Department in the Mill Creek office. We want to preserve it for future interested Park users.

We have made copies of the drawing (July 2016) and the original was offered to, and accepted by, the Seattle Municipal Archives for preservation. Now a PDF copy and a JPEG copy exist of the original drawing, as well as a laminated copy of the document. The plan is to display laminated copy of the drawing at the Environmental Learning Center for current and future reference.

The drawing is 23.5 x 35.5 inches.