Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
SIGHTS
Belltown
OLYMPIC SCULPTURE PARK
PARK, SCULPTURE
(2901 Western Ave; sunrise-sunset; 13)
F
Hovering over train tracks, in an un-
likely oasis between the water and busy Elliott Ave, is the 8.5-acre, $85-million
Olympic Sculpture Park. Worth a visit just for its views of the Olympic Mountains over
Elliott Bay, the park has begun to grow into its long-range plan.
Among the highlights is
The Eagle
, Alexander Calder's 39ft-tall red steel creation
from 1971, which crouches along the horizon of the park. The thing probably weighs
about a ton, but from where it's positioned, it looks like it's about to launch itself off
the top of the hill and into the distant mountains.
The sculpture park is an excellent lesson in how to make the most out of limited urb-
an space. Its Z-shaped path slinks back and forth between Belltown, busy Elliott Ave
and the edge of the bay, rescuing three parcels of land and filling them with art and
plant life.
Starting from the bottom, Tony Smith's
Wandering Rocks
zigzags up the hill in the
Ketcham Families Grove, described on signs as 'a deciduous forest of quaking aspen' -
well, eventually. It's just beginning to sprout now, but it's still pretty. More than 20
large pieces of sculpture dot the landscape, including Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van
Bruggen's
Typewriter Eraser, Scale X,
with its weird blue sprouts bristling over Elliott
Ave.
The glass building at the top of the park contains a small cafe, restrooms, a gift shop
and visitor information.
MYRTLE EDWARDS PARK
PARK
