Purple Reign

JIMI'S PLACE: For what seems like forever now, I've been reading about a to-be park in Seattle dedicated to guitar guru Jimi Hendrix. 

Finally, what was long promised happened, and this Saturday, we were fortunate to attend the dedication of the park to the Seattle-born musician. 

The park is just east of the African American Museum on Massachusetts and 23rd Avenue in Seattle. 

One of the new park's features is a butterfly garden.

The grand opening included a chalk drawing exhibition. The artist below melded Jimi and the butterflies. Nice!

A number of the chalk artists included a Jimi likeness, like the one below.

Naturally, Annabelle had to get in on the act!

We talked about potential themes, and she decided to go with Hendrix's "Wind Cries Mary." One of the lyrics from that song is "Fly on my sweet angel."

So, she drew a rainbow heart and some really big wings attached.

 She added swirls to the sky and the photo atop this blog post was her finished product.

It was super fun watching her work and interact with the many, many people who stopped by to say kind things about her artwork.

We enjoyed checking out others' chalk drawings. 

There was nonstop entertainment from noon until 5 p.m. at the park.

Following, CJ tells a bit more about the Hendrix experience.

On Saturday, my family visited the opening of the Jimi Hendrix Park, a public park adjacent to the Northwest African-American Museum (NAAM). As described on the park's page on seattle.gov, The park features a grand entrance and stairway adorned with Jimi's signature at the corner of Massachusetts and 25th Avenue South. Phase 1 of the park development is designated "Little Wing," and was completed in fall of 2016. It includes the new stairway and entrance at the southeast corner of the park, paved pathways, a chronological timeline of Jimi's life and career, enhanced landscaping with trees and native plantings, seatwall benches, ADA accessible walkways, rainwater infiltration gardens and a butterfly garden. The improvements to Jimi Hendrix Park create a welcoming green space and provides an experience that clearly defines its namesake. Phase 2, which includes a colorful central shelter, was complete by June 2017 in time for the celebration.

According to the Seattle Times, more than 200 people, from children eager to play with sidewalk chalk to gray-haired fans sporting vintage tie-dye T-shirts, joined local officials, park advocates and the musician’s sister for the ribbon-cutting. Musicians from a youth rock camp belted out a cover of “Purple Haze,” the first tune in a daylong Hendrix soundtrack, from underneath a red sculpture evocative of a butterfly wing.

About the chalk, my sister got some chalk and participated in a chalk art contest. She drew a winged rainbow heart on pavement square 25, and I do not know if she won or not.

If you ever visit Seattle, I'd encourage you to visit Jimi Hendrix Park.
http://www.seattle.gov/parks/find/parks/jimi-hendrix-parkhttps://nyti.ms/2sF2VnF

NEIGHBORLY: As an added bonus, between our parking spot and the Jimi Hendricks Park, we happened upon an amazing pubic play space. Colman Playground features the old Colman School and an adjacent playfield. 

Also on site is the amazing Children's PlayGarden. With backing from the Seattle Department of Parks & Recreation, families of children with special needs, and the horticultural and medical communities, the PlayGarden was born. Its mission is to provide children of all abilities a safe, accessible and adventurous place to play.

The accessible park has so many sweet features. Right off the bat we noticed Some Pig (Wilbur, of "Charlotte's Web" fame). 

 And there were a number of cute topiary on site. Check out the bicycle-riding bunny!

 We thought the one below a llama.

 And we surmised this might be a bit of a misshapen giraffe.