By Beth Barrett.
Around Burien, in our many neighborhoods, people are doing good things. In our far northeast corner, bordered by Seattle and SeaTac, a group of seniors has been logging thousands of miles during this unusually wet and chilly northwest spring. That commitment inspires all of us!
“Step into Spring,” their Walkathon fundraiser, is propelling the residents at Boulevard Park Place with the ambitious goal of collectively walking 5,000 miles. These miles will be generously matched with the facility owner’s donation of $5,000 to these two local nonprofits:
The King County Fire District 2 Public Education Program
Transform Burien, a local community resource center for the homeless
Both organizations will equally benefit from the many miles trekked by this benevolent community. Paved pathways enable the residents to walk the entire property at Boulevard Park in safety and security while doing good for Burien.
I recently toured the facility with one of the onsite managers to meet these seniors. The manager explained that Boulevard Park Place is a family-owned-and-operated active retirement community. Originally constructed by Merle and Vi Steinman in 1996, the first building expanded to the current three-building complex in 2000, which now comprises 126 units. The property is situated on twelve acres, buffered by woods, and offers beautiful panoramic views of the Cascade Mountains. The Steinman family continues its active ownership and management of the property, which makes it unique amongst most retirement facilities.
Ron and Paula, the second-generation owners, are “hands-on” at Boulevard Park, often found preparing a “Country Breakfast” for the residents. Wood shops, craft and art rooms, gardens, sewing clubs, and even a beekeeping club provide ways for seniors aged 55 to 101 to stay engaged in hobbies they enjoy. The sewing club is making quilts for a July 4th raffle event, again to benefit nonprofits.
In all corners of our city, generous people of all ages are actively helping others.
