03/31/2012

Classic Pacific Northwest design and construction - this almost finished gate was installed over the weekend at the old Rose Garden.  It combines elements of several cultures and times.  Volunteers and several local firms worked together on it.  Cascade Joinery and Landmark Enterprises - the construction firm, not the rental outfit - provided much of the skill and time.  The wood is all recycled Douglas Fir.

The Caretakers House is in the old Rose Garden - just over the Padden Creek bridge from Fairhaven and at the beginning of Chuckanut Drive.  In recent years, with the explosion of our urban deer population. the deer ate all the roses to death.  Now local southside volunteers are rehabilitating the grounds for sustainable gardening and are constructing a very tall deer fence around the property.  And this fine structure will be the main walk through gate.  The entire project is now called “The Center for Local Self Reliance” and you can easily walk the 5 blocks to it from the historic district.  They have a website and are very open to others joining them in their project. 

In a drizzling rain the volunteers assemble the very stout gate structure on Saturday.