Friday, Dan Streissguth will celebrate the best decision he has ever made. You can be there to celebrate with him.

May 6th, the Streissguth Gardens will mark 20 years of public ownership just off Broadway E, just north of the Blaine Street Steps. From streissguthgardens.com:

Join us on National Public Garden Day, May 6th, 2016 From 1-4pm we’ll be celebrating with punch and cookies, a look back in time through the garden, some historical documents about the garden, new brochures, and a new sign. The private garden will be open for self tours. At around 2pm we’ll gather for some informal words.

In 1996, the family of Dan and Anne Streissguth gifted an acre of carefully cultivated hillside to the City of Seattle. Meanwhile, the City also purchased a larger tract of greenbelt to the south. With the Streissguth’s maintaining two adjacent private gardens and continuing work from to clear the greenbelt property of invasive ivy to make way for more than 600 native plantings, the area is an oasis on the northwestern edge of Capitol Hill.

Dan Streissguth tells CHS the decision to give away a portion of the family land was the best decision he has ever made.

“It’s the focus for our lives,” Streissguth said. “One of the main things for our son also. Over the years, he’s become very involved in the public garden so it’s become a main feature of his life, as well.” Continue reading →