The Seward Park Torii Project, which seeks to replace the torii, or Japanese gate, that stood in Seward Park for 50 years, received a large boost in funding at the beginning of March when it received a donation of 1000 shares of Starbucks stock valued at $58,700 from Tsuchino and Mike Forrester and an investment of $30,000 from the Stim Bullitt Parks Excellence Fund. The project, led by the Friends of Seward Park, now has more than 80% in funding, and the Friends expect to complete fundraising and start construction by this fall.
Tsuchino Forrester who, with her husband Mike, is active in cultural affairs in the Japanese Amer ican community, saved an article about the torii project for many months before deciding she wanted to create a lasting legacy by helping to fund the torii. The Stim Bullitt Parks Excellency Fund was established with bequest from Stim Bullitt to the Seattle Parks Foundation, which uses the f und to suppor t community-led projects in Seattle parks each year. Other major funders include the Department of Neighborhoods, the Mimi Kraus estate, the Hugh and Jane Ferguson Foundation, the John L. O’Brien family and Nintendo.
More information can be found at sewardparkfriends@gmail.com or www. sewardparktorii.org.
