Regional wall pays tribute to treasured pets

Words of remembrance are etched into the stones of the Memorial Wall that spans the perimeter of the 1.25 acre King County Memorial Pet Garden at Marymoor Park in Redmond.

The individualized stones pay tribute to treasured pets that were lost or are now deceased. The garden is the first of its kind in the region and is located adjacent to the 40-acre Marymoor Park Off-Leash Dog Area. The non-profit group of dog owners, Serve Our Dogs Area (SODA), manages the Off-Leash Dog Area at Marymoor Park and recognized a need for a pet memorial. SODA group brought the idea to park management.

Two years ago, the park management began looking for the ideal place to create a serene and peaceful dedication space for pet owners and their loved ones.

"We began looking for ways and places where community members could have a dedicated place to memorialize their pet and so we came up with the pet garden," explained Norah Gaynor, programming manager for Marymoor Park. "It kind of went from there. People are able to dedicate a planting, purchase a bench, have a rock engraved, or engrave one of the garden pavers."

Inscriptions on the celebration wall are also available.

Although no deceased pets are physically buried within the designated space of the Memorial Pet Garden, pet owners do have the option of having the pet's cremated remains deposited into the stone wall for safe keeping.

“The Memorial Pet Garden has become an important part of the pet-owning community, and King County is proud to offer this beautiful and peaceful location,” said King County Parks Director Kevin Brown.

According to Gaynor, pet owners are welcome to inquire about holding a memorial gathering in honor of their pet.

"I think the passing of a pet is a real private thing for the families and we haven't had any kind of large types of gatherings, but we would be glad to talk to them about helping to set that up," she said.

For more information about the Memorial Pet Garden, call 206.205.3661, or visit http://www.kingcounty.gov/recreation/parks/inventory/marymoor/petgarden.aspx.

Lindsay Larin can be reached at 425.453.4602.

Contact Kirkland Reporter Bellevue Reporter Lindsay Larin at llarin@reporternewspapers.com or 425-453-4602.

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