Sunken Garden: Renovated and Reopened
After two years of renovation, the Sunken Garden at the state Capitol Campus in Olympia has reopened to the public with new landscaping, a reconfigured layout, and ADA access.
Photos and story courtesy of Department of Enterprise Services
New Perennials Extend Seasonal Interest And Increase Sustainability
The garden has stood on the Capitol Campus for over 90 years. It was originally designed by the Olmsted Brothers company, a landscape architectural firm, as a part of the master plan for the west Capitol Campus. For many decades, the garden contained roses. Now, the garden contains perennials, which are more resistant to deer grazing and more sustainable since they require less frequent planting and extend seasonal interest. The perennials also draw a greater diversity of pollinators to the garden.
![](https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/sunken_garden_51415200847.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=5c5ad5e50e5c6c38e824a6b22b50961a 320w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/sunken_garden_51415200847.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=5940dab932a99860013c57028d502d12 540w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/sunken_garden_51415200847.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=8890b929a7e9a665d09ba29585c8636d 768w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/sunken_garden_51415200847.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=d17d66e7f166f891c05f72a6aabbf044 1024w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/sunken_garden_51415200847.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=584c3d24e191fbedb457e9bb4fad1d2d 1200w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/sunken_garden_51415200847.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=17ddb823291314b120d1670a8f96d4ac 1440w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/sunken_garden_51415200847.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=a6ec5d75cbf176821221848069f2cfed 1920w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/sunken_garden_51415200847.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=df17894cca69507f2426142569309982 2048w)
Reconfigured Layout Reflects The Original Design
The new layout reflects the European style that Olmsted Brothers intended to implement in the garden. The style is formal with short hedges surrounding the garden. When you step down into the garden or enter through the new ADA walkway, you’ll be greeted by an array of colors from the diverse array of perennials, including bright dahlias planted by the Evergreen State Dahlia Association.
![](https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/sunken_garden_51416555035.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=cda55c9b3cd205b0b3565b559fb184c0 320w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/sunken_garden_51416555035.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=f358ff65745fee3c346f2b3258c4c3eb 540w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/sunken_garden_51416555035.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=51f6dfc0feda1bfaecffc0812dccc31b 768w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/sunken_garden_51416555035.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=b637b69325c2874a6356721d540e5f4e 1024w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/sunken_garden_51416555035.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=c94e85abd09b707188ba58a8293e0f75 1200w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/sunken_garden_51416555035.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=a0fc982f501ad461f305c90445fc61f2 1440w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/sunken_garden_51416555035.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=17ac1714879b2f698814d05b728ed750 1536w)
ADA Access Makes Garden Available To All
An accessible walking path was constructed around and through realigned landscape beds, and modifications were made to the west entrance. Prior to the renovation, stairs were the only way to enter the garden. Now, a ramp gives easy wheelchair access.
![](https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/sunken_garden_51415182567.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=8ca14f295d37fa04bc8dfff5e31fc576 320w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/sunken_garden_51415182567.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=9153ad8036e96a98fb067669ff6e1f4f 540w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/sunken_garden_51415182567.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=99e9adc0bc1be141b3ed177100480c28 768w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/sunken_garden_51415182567.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=7607abebc2ca5dc3a8e944b889aa0f75 1024w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/sunken_garden_51415182567.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=6cef8d506a3d5b8bea508b1a91a2a625 1200w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/sunken_garden_51415182567.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=532f4a9b054fc72b9f49f85c0b0d61db 1440w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/sunken_garden_51415182567.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=fa24b4a3ff29ca5f683e0bfa71a71243 1920w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/sunken_garden_51415182567.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=e64436c5ebbe6588e44106d89d72736e 2048w)
Don't forget to share
Spend the weekend and find dining, lodging, events, festivals and entertainment ideas at www.experienceolympia.com. Make sure to share your best shots with us by tagging social posts #ExperienceOlympia and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter (@Experience_Oly) and Instagram (@ExperienceOly).