The City of Burien celebrated Arbor Day Tuesday morning at one of its newest parks.
Mathison Park is a six-acre forested neighborhood park, located at 533 S. 146th St. The upper five acres was donated to the city by Ted Mathison. The Carver sisters, in memory of their grandfather, Herman Nikolas Peters, donated a lower acre.

CLICK ON THE PHOTO TO SEE MORE IMAGES FROM THE DEDICATION AND OF THE PARK

Peters homesteaded the area in 1899. Ted and Bernadine Mathison moved to the property in 1944 and raised five children there.
The Arbor Day commemoration was preceded by a dedication ceremony for Phase II improvements to the park.

Parks operation manager Steve Roemer said only one acre of the park, which contained playground equipment, was available to the public before the improvements.

The construction project included a new toddler's playground, a winding asphalt trail with picnic tables and viewpoints and a sawdust hiking trail.

Roemer said the construction period from August to February was "short and sweet," despite occasional bad weather.
Phil Mathison, Ted and Bernadine's second oldest child, said he and his siblings were lucky to grow up on five forested acres on top of a hill.
"Did we appreciate it? No, it was sometimes dark and scary," Mathison joked.
He recalled having to climb back up the hill to get home after visiting friends.

But he said he and his siblings matured as adults "to appreciate this place that has imprinted on us."
Six members of the Mathison family helped cut a red ribbon to symbolize the opening of the new additions.
In a separate ceremony, state Public Lands Commissioner Peter Goldmark presented Mayor Joan McGilton with an award recognizing Burien as a Tree City USA member.

McGilton also read an Arbor Day proclamation.
Goldmark, McGilton and Mathison family members then helped plant a red vine maple tree on the main lawn of the park.