Our Organization

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How We Grew

Highline Botanical Garden was formed when two extraordinary private gardens were scheduled for demolition to make room for the flight path of SeaTac Airport’s third runway. Recognizing the cultural and recreational value of the Elda Behm Paradise Garden and the Seike Family Japanese Garden, hundreds of community members came together to find the land, funding and labor to relocate these gardens to their new home.

Our Mission

The mission of the Highline Botanical Garden Foundation is “Connecting the community to nature through a diverse and beautiful collection of historical gardens”.

The Highline Botanical Garden Foundation was created by volunteers, to preserve two important gardens impacted by SeaTac Airport’s proposed third runway. Through a partnership between volunteers, the City of SeaTac, and the Port of Seattle, the Foundation moved thousands of plants from to the North SeaTac Park.

Our Board

The Foundation’s Board of Directors works to build a strong future for the Garden. Board members share a fiduciary responsibility for the Garden’s annual budget and financial operations. The unique aspect of this board is their willingness to get their hands dirty, dig in the dirt, prune, trim and weed. 

Highline Botanical Garden Foundation is always seeking motivated board members to join our team and keep our beautiful gardens growing.

Luanne Coachman

Luanne Coachman

President

Luanne is a retired attorney formerly employed by King County focusing on Clean Water, Endangered Species, and State Environmental Policy Act programs. She is also the founder of the King County Employees’ Garden Club.

Aniko Juhasz

Aniko Juhasz

Vice President

Aniko is very active with the Northwest Fuchsia Society. She also coordinates the semi annual newsletter.

Sarah Moore

Sarah Moore

Secretary

Sarah is a 20 year resident in Burien, where she lives within walking distance of Highline Botanical Garden and visits as often as she can. She works as the Program Coordinator for the King County Master Gardeners, and holds a BS degree in Biology from Bates College.

Lori McCleary

Lori McCleary

Treasurer

Lori is a University of Washington graduate with a  Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration, Accounting major. She enjoys gardening in Des Moines.

Angelica Thrasher

Angelica Thrasher

Angelica is a resident of Des Moines. As a devoted houseplant enthusiast who is passionate about all things botanical, Highline Botanical Garden’s history, beauty and peaceful ambiance. She appreciates the strong sense of community and pride that local volunteers and donors feel for the garden and actively encourages others to support the foundation.

Leslie Galloway

Leslie Galloway

Leslie is a lifelong resident of the Burien area and an avid gardener.  She holds a BS in Forestry from the University of Washington  and has over 25 years experience in nonprofit administration

Our Staff

Maricilla Ah-Siu

Maricilla Ah-Siu

Event Coordinator

If you wish to reserve the garden for an event, look no further than Maricilla.

events@highlinegarden.org

Kirsten Cooper

Kirsten Cooper

Volunteer Coordinator

Kirsten Cooper is the volunteer coordinator for Highline SeaTac Botanical Garden with years of experience in teaching in a variety of areas.  She is a board member at New Start Community Garden and has a BA from the University of Washington.  She is also a wife and mother.

volcoord@highlinegarden.org

Aaron Wiseman

Aaron Wiseman

SeaTac Liaison to the Board

Aaron is the supervisor of the SeaTac Park Maintenance Division. He coordinates division activities with other departments, outside agencies, organizations, and the public.

Our Foundation

More than five-and-one-half acres of the eleven-acre site are now planted, leaving plenty of room to share other stories in garden form. The Foundation has built infrastructure to sustain the garden: irrigation, pathways, a drainage system, and a water feature to showcase the natural setting of the Park. Expansion occurs, according to the Garden’s master plan, as funding becomes available.  The Highline Botanical Garden Foundation (HBGF) is a 501(c) (3) not-for-profit corporation in the State of Washington..

SPECIAL THANKS TO

Our Partners & Sponsors

  • Marcia & Andrew Rebmann

  • The Garden Conservancy

  • The Nannette Mead Testamentary Trust

  • Charles and Marie Hoffman

  • The McEchern Foundation 

ADMISSION/VISITING

FREE for all visitors.

HOURS: Highline SeaTac Botanical Garden is open from dawn to dusk everyday, excluding Federal Holidays.

PETS: Dogs on a leash are permitted in the garden. Please refrain dogs from playing in the ponds, streams and fountains. Clean up after pets.

501 (c)3 EIN 31-1596850

Puget Sound’s Most
Treasured Gardens

Location13735 24th Avenue S
SeaTac, WA 98168

Mailing P.O. Box 69384
SeaTac, WA 98168-9384

206.391.4003

executivedirector@highlinegarden.org