About
Mission
We value quiet gathering places to view nature and we want the 4,000 feet of waterfront open and accessible to the general public.
Friends of Luther Burbank Park supports environmental restoration, erosion control of the shoreline and wetlands improvement efforts.
"A Sanctuary where the works of Man are minimized, appearing to be affected primarily by the forces of Nature"
History
Friends of Luther Burbank Park was established in 1988, when the Park belonged to King County. The purpose was to maintain a peaceful nature park where birders, walkers and recreational users coexist, and to support protection and maintenance of the park. Today, Luther Burbank Park is the “jewel of Mercer Island.”
The 80-acre park is in two main portions, divided by I-90. The northern portion provides the only public waterfront trails on the Island. The park supports at least 80 species of birds and is home to other wildlife, including beaver and deer.
In April 2006, after significant community input, a Master Plan was approved to guide long-range development in keeping with the natural serenity of the park.
We value quiet gathering places to view nature and we want the 4,000 feet of waterfront open and accessible to the general public.
Friends of Luther Burbank Park supports environmental restoration, erosion control of the shoreline and wetlands improvement efforts.
"A Sanctuary where the works of Man are minimized, appearing to be affected primarily by the forces of Nature"
History
Friends of Luther Burbank Park was established in 1988, when the Park belonged to King County. The purpose was to maintain a peaceful nature park where birders, walkers and recreational users coexist, and to support protection and maintenance of the park. Today, Luther Burbank Park is the “jewel of Mercer Island.”
The 80-acre park is in two main portions, divided by I-90. The northern portion provides the only public waterfront trails on the Island. The park supports at least 80 species of birds and is home to other wildlife, including beaver and deer.
In April 2006, after significant community input, a Master Plan was approved to guide long-range development in keeping with the natural serenity of the park.
The red-wing blackbird is heard singing in the wetlands in spring. Photo: Courtesy of Judith Roan
Why we exist
There are constant pressures to develop and commercialize Luther Burbank Park. Recent proposals range from an aquatic center to a theatre to a new school. But consider: Do we want night lights and traffic? Do we want more motorized vehicles in the park? Is a master plan subject to the whims of the moment?
Friends supports keeping a dawn-to-dusk park, free of new uses that alter the shoreline quality so valued by today’s park visitors. The purpose of the master plan is to ensure that the park is not developed or commercialized, but rather that its shoreline is maintained for the future enjoyment of birders and beach-goers, dog owners and picnickers. Friends is committed to working to ensure that the integrity of this dawn-to-dusk passive park is maintained.
We do support improvements that ensure enjoyment by all ages, such as the improved children’s playground, a shaded pavilion at the swim beach, and a proposed new accessible dock from the south parking lot. We enjoy the Shakespeare performances at the Amphitheater and are delighted by the boating excursions offered by the Parks Department.
Stewardship
Friends of Luther Burbank planned and helped develop and restore the north wetlands. For the past four years we have conducted bird counts and wildlife documentation, which supports grants. We also advocated for and assisted in the construction of three new trails in Upper Luther Burbank Park, the 100-year-old forest south of I-90. Since July 2007 Friends, in partnership with Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust, logged over 1000 hours of volunteer time.