It’s been nearly 50 years since the untimely death of rock legend, Jimi Hendrix. And now, after four years of planning, the city of Seattle is moving ahead with design and development of The Jimi Hendrix Park.
No ordinary outdoor space, this tribute to the man is set to include elements for everyone. Whether you’re a fan of his brilliant music or just want a groovy place to have a picnic, the long overdue addition to a colorful city promises to have as broad an appeal as his music still does.
The Park is as Multifaceted as Hendrix
The influence of Jimi Hendrix swept the nation and the world. His music is still played, practiced, imitated, and enjoyed today. The Jimi Hendrix Park Foundation announced in March that the long-awaited park will include numerous facets that both honor his memory and give it a place to continue growing.
At phase one, features of the 2.5 acre park include a grand entrance, paved pathways, a chronological timeline of his career, performance plaza, butterfly garden, several rain gardens, and more, according to Seattle Curbed. Future additions will also include a sound wave wall featuring imagery of Hendrix.
Fundraising and Donations Support the Park
Between the Jimi Hendrix Park Foundation and the Friends of Jimi Hendrix, over $1 million has been raised and another $500,000 has been donated to the cause. The Seattle Parks and Green Levy Opportunity Fund Grant is responsible for the donation, says Seattle Curbed.
EERG, Inc. explains that it won the bid to turn the existing green space, which is situated in Seattle’s Central District, into the artistic, creative space that it will become.
His guitar wizardry influences the entire park, including its shape.
The Jimi Hendrix Park Celebrates Art and Culture
Construction on the park is scheduled to begin this month, according to EERG, Inc. Everything about the park is intended to evoke the vibe of Hendrix, from the landscaping to the overall ambience.
The location is near the Northwest African American Museum. And according to Rosanna Sharpe, the executive director of the museum, the park will celebrate “African American art, history, and culture, and the living legacy of an iconic musician” who still carries as much influence today as he ever did.
Murase Associates of Seattle is designing the park. In their “Jimi Hendrix Park Schematic Design,” they explain that from above, the shape of a guitar is naturally central to the space. Each improvement would either be a component of the guitar or complementary to it, with the guitar neck as the primary pathway. There is even a plan for purple flowing trees that will give the north end of the park a “purple haze” each spring.
A man as rich, vibrant and influential as Jimi Hendrix offers a deep well of inspiration for designers and developers. Each element of his namesake park has been a thoughtful and deliberate effort to honor his memory and keep it not just alive, but growing.
Seattle venerates its rock legend son with a space where music and history buffs alike can learn, listen, and, yes, experience an icon who left behind a worthy legacy.
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