The Seattle Shakespeare Company will bring the Bard’s classic “As You Like It” to Ashwood Park on Saturday, Aug. 8 as part of a local organization’s efforts to showcase the sliver of greenery in the concrete jungle of Downtown Bellevue.
“We want to promote longer term interest in the park, show that Ashwood is an asset,” said Susan Nelson, the chair of local organization Keep Ashwood Park Green. “Having a play in the park is a cultural event that we felt was a good way to show the need to keep the park.”
‘Keep Ashwood Park Green’ is an organization aiming to prevent future development of the park, and is primarily run by residents of the Pacific Regent retirement community. Sandwiched between a branch of the King County Library and Ten20 apartments, Ashwood Park is located directly across the street from Pacific Regent, home to 150 retirement age residents.
At 2.5 acres, the park is one of the only green spaces untouched by the construction that has dominated Downtown Bellevue over the past decades.
“It’s just a little gem in Downtown Bellevue. We’re getting to be very dense, and this is the only park that we have in this part of town,” said Nelson. “Open green space is important for physical and mental wellbeing.
Nelson says she first became concerned about the park a few years ago when she said she heard of a city plan to build a five- story building on the location.
The current Ashwood Park Master Plan, which was adopted in 1993, includes plans for a two-story community center with three stories of affordable housing and park open space. The concept of adding on a new fire station was presented to a June 2012 Council Study Session, but did not move any further.
The master plan will be updated in 2016, and the parks department will be seeking input from a variety of staekholders. “The Parks and Community Services Department is looking forward to working with the community to update the Master Plan for Ashwood Park next year,” said Christina Faine, public information officer for Bellevue’s Parks and Community Services.
The Seattle Shakespeare Company’s performance on Saturday will also mark the organization’s return to Bellevue. The group last performed in Bellevue around 18 to 20 years ago, said the company’s Artistic Director George Mount.
“I’m very excited. The venue looks lovely, the individuals are very enthusiastic, and we like being invited to perform within a community,” he said.
The play will begin at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 8. There is no charge, but attendees will need to bring their own blankets or folding chairs.
With the positive response the company has already received in advance of their performance, Mount said they don’t plan on being strangers.
“The people at the library have been strategizing what we can do for next year,” he said. “I hope it will be the start of something we can make into an annual event.”
