What’s Better Than a Picnic?
from Hazel Colcord, Kathleen Colcord-Moen and George Moen
The day after my father died, we went on a picnic. The day was a lovely sunny and warm fall day. We packed a lunch and headed down to Magnuson Park. It was such a therapeutic time for all of us. The mountains were out and ducks were flapping and quacking, dogs were being walked and people were strolling along.
It made me think that a good memorial to my dad would be a picnic bench in an area that had so much involvement in his life. He taught surveying at UW, and had his classes do beginning surveying practice in the park. Dad was instrumental in setting up the surveyors’ calibration baseline in the park, which is now also the subject of an art installation. The park was also my folks’ favorite birding spot, and frequently they would find themselves sitting on a bench enjoying the fine weather and the local birds.
I decided to look into the gifting program with Seattle Parks Foundation. Then I figured a place we would all really enjoy would be a picnic bench dedicated to the family. The arrangements were made and my mother came up with the dedication. It was installed in October of 2008. The spot is a lovely reminder of October 22, 2007 when the park helped us renew our spirits.
Thank you Seattle Parks Foundation!
Location: Magnuson ParkiIf you'd like to share your story, please contact Isaac Cohen.