Loss of Two Neighborhood Treasures

Two long-standing stewards of the overlook of the Leschi Natural Area at 36th and East Terrace Street have moved to a senior living community in Oregon.

Fran and Bunny Wood are known by their neighbors as the stewards of the Leschi Natural Area. They have been stewards of the property owned by the Seattle Park Department since the property was purchased in 1993. Stewarding means pulling invasive plants like Himalayan blackberries, applying for grants, organizing work parties, planting new native vegetation, advocating to the city government, and inspiring others to chip in work and contributions along the way.

Fran and Bunny have been sponsoring neighborhood work parties at the Natural Area once a month since 1995. That’s around 160 work parties and it shows. They met consistently on the first Saturday of the month and worked from 9am–1pm with a lunch prepared by Bunny thrown into the mix! No wonder they were successful in gathering volunteers!

The Leschi Natural Area is a neighborhood jewel. Not only is there a 180-degree view of Lake Washington from Mount Rainier, north; but there is a wonderful grove of Madrona trees accessed by a circular trail. Please visit if you have not already to see how true this is.

Our neighborhood will sorely miss the Woods’ leadership and consistency. In the coming months, we will need to re-build the volunteer cadre of stewards for the Natural Area. We will always remember the neighbors including the Woods who toiled so long to give this treasure to our community.

~John Barber