Kruckeberg wins statewide award for Outdoor Excellence

Kruckeberg Botanic Garden was honored with the WRPA Spotlight Award for “Outdoor Spaces in populations less than 100,000” at the 2025 Washington Recreation & Park Association Conference. The award highlighted the garden's new fully accessible elevated boardwalk, which accommodates wheelchairs and strollers, thereby improving access for all visitors. This boardwalk, funded by Shoreline residents through the 2022 Parks Bond, connects the upper and lower gardens while ensuring the preservation of beloved trees. This recognition marks Kruckeberg’s first statewide facility honor since the Trillium Heritage Award in 2008, underscoring significant advancements in accessibility and visitor experience. The ceremony, held during WRPA’s May banquet, drew parks professionals from across Washington to celebrate innovations in park design.

Community support played a pivotal role in making the boardwalk a reality, reflecting the impact of local funding initiatives. “Nature Without Barriers: The Kruckeberg Boardwalk Story,” a video by Jacob Bilbo, further illustrates the project’s community impact. The garden invites visitors to experience the boardwalk and support future accessibility projects through donations.