press release:
The Seattle Chinese Garden’s Friendship Wall is not ancient or monumental in scale, but it is great because it recognizes the many good friends and community members who are contributing to the Garden. An October 15 ceremony will unveil the completed first side of the wall, displaying green granite bricks engraved to honor family, friends, and organizations.

Among them are bricks recognizing West Seattle residents and groups, including Puget Ridge Neighbors. Judy Cashman, a long-time homeowner in this close-knit community, secured donations from 40 families for the specially inscribed brick.

“The Chinese Garden is right in our backyard,” Cashman said, “and my neighbors describe it as a refuge and a jewel they enjoy visiting, so of course they wanted to support it. We are so lucky to have such a beautiful natural and cultural resource in West Seattle.”

Other West Seattle residents and organizations can help fill the first side of the wall by reserving bricks in this prime location. Only 100 spaces remain and are available first come first serve. Orders must be received by August 25 to ensure mounting on the wall in October.

For more information and an order form, call the Garden office at 206-934-5219, or visit the website at www.seattlechinesegarden.org and click the Brick Campaign link in the right column. Or, come visit the Garden at 6000 16th Ave. SW (north entrance to South Seattle Community College): open to the public Wednesday through Sunday, noon to 5:30 pm and free to Seattle residents.

And special thanks to the West Seattle Garden Tour for including the Seattle Chinese Garden as a beneficiary of its 2011 tour on July 17.