Popular play place now also can be final resting place for beloved pets

Time was, when Buddy, Fluffy or Tweety died, a backyard burial topped with a homemade grave marker served as a loving memorial to a family pet.

But King County hopes pet lovers, many of whom dwell in apartments, will see a new garden in Marymoor Park's vast off-leash dog area as a modern happy hunting ground, where their pet's memory can linger among friends.

Starting today, pet owners can order inscribed paving bricks, trees, pet tags, benches and other garden additions to celebrate the bond between people and their animals — be they living, lost or dead.

Along with a wall to hold urns of cremated pet remains, the memorials will be placed in the 1.25-acre Marymoor Park Pet Garden, a lush space surrounding a calm, round pool where tall rocks beckon.

The region has at least two other pet cemeteries, in Bothell and Kent. But the county believes its garden is unique because of the variety of options and its location within earshot of the happy barks and shouts of one of the nation's busiest dog parks, on the shores of Lake Sammamish.

"People's pets have become increasingly more important to them," said Jessie Israel, who works for the county's parks division. For years, the county has fielded requests from park users wondering if they can spread their pet's ashes in the park they loved so well, something the county hasn't allowed.

"Here they can walk and contemplate and sit and stare at the fountain for a little while — sit and look at the wall or read all the inscriptions that people have left for their pets," Israel said.

Grants from the state Department of Natural Resources and the federal Agriculture Department's community-forestry program helped pay for the garden, along with donations from area businesses.

Beyond providing a space for park users to remember, the garden is the latest venture that will generate revenue to support county parks. The county also sold naming rights to Marymoor's velodrome and collects franchise fees from the park's Subway sandwich shop.

The garden will be available for events, workshops and memorials, and people will be able to post stories about their pets at an entrance kiosk.

Michael Smith, of Seattle, hasn't lost a pet in many years and doesn't want to think of a time without Stanley, his Labrador/beagle/basset hound mix. "Pets are such a member of the family," he said, watching Stanley — tail a-wagging — with a group of fellow dogs.

They play at Marymoor Park regularly, and he called the garden a great idea that many owners would appreciate.

Mary Burgess, of Woodinville, said she thinks many people are just beginning to realize how hard losing a pet can be. She visits Marymoor twice a week with Ebby, her border collie.

Burgess said she'd rather just enjoy the memory of her pets than participate in the garden, but she said she was sure it would bring comfort to many, especially at a park with so many good memories.

"It's such a happy place. You never see people looking sad. Everybody has a smile."

Karen Gaudette: 206-515-5618