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You don't need a passport to visit the Rainier Beach and Othello neighborhoods in Southeast Seattle, but it will sure feel like it. The 98118 zip code has gotten national attention as the most diverse district in the United States with 60 language and dialects spoken here.
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| Paul Robeson Performing Arts Center |
Play
Located in the far southeastern corner of the city along Lake Washington, Rainier Beach enjoys numerous parks and recreation areas, including Be'ersheva Park, Kubota Garden Park, Lakeridge Park, Fred Hutchinson Playground, and Deadhorse Canyon Natural Area. Area residents - together with the City Department of Neighborhoods and the Parks and Recreation Department - provide the care and community stewardship necessary to sustain such rich natural landscapes in an urban environment with neighborhood groups providing extensive public education and volunteer efforts.
Rainier Beach Community Center Walking Map >>
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| Kubota Garden |
Kubota Garden in particular is a stunning 20-acres of hills and valleys featuring streams, waterfalls, ponds, plants, rock outcroppings and more. This unique urban refuge reflects more than sixty years of vision, effort and commitment by the Kubota family. The Japanese Government awarded Fujitaro Kubota with a rare honor, the Fifth Class Order of the Sacred Treasure, "for his achievements in his adopted country, for introducing and building respect for Japanese Gardening in this area."
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| Somali art at a bus shetler |
In 1987, thanks to the efforts of many dedicated individuals, the City of Seattle acquired the garden form the Kubota family. The garden is now maintained by the gardeners of the Department of Parks and Recreation and Volunteers and the Open Space Program of the City of Seattle has purchased approximately seventeen acres of land adjacent to the garden to remain as a natural area protection Mapes Creek and the ravine.
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| Rainier Beach Park |
Othello boasts a variety of beautiful parks, including the Dearborn Park Green Space - an urban forest with a creak and wandering paths where neighbors have been known to sled when it snows. The Chief Sealth Trail winds from Beacon Ave. and S. Dawson St. down to Othello and seems worlds away from traffic. It's a popular place for walking, biking and running. In addition, Othello Playground is home to one of the biggest and best slides in the city, as well as free concerts in the summer where neighbors picnic and play together.
Visit the Rainier Chamber of Commerce for more information on activities and attractions in the entire Rainier Valley in Southeast Seattle: www.rainierchamber.com
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| Vince's Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria |
Restaurants
In either Rainier Beach or Othello, the population is so diverse, you can virtually travel to your favorite "Motherland" with our myriad restaurant choices. You can visit Italy at Vince's Italian Restaurant and Pizzeria for food that you can happily compare to your Nonna's cooking. Vince Mottola even hosts and organizes tours to Italy, so you can visit the real Italy, too.
If you prefer Chinese, Vietnamese or other Asian cuisine, head over to the Othello neighborhood to find an amazing choice of restaurants and markets. One that stands out is Salima Restaurant specializing in Southeast Asian cuisine with a primary focus on Malaysian dishes, including Cham. Order any meal that comes with peanut sauce - they serve the best in town, but be warned, they are not open on Tuesdays.
Perhaps the most telling landmark in this amazingly diverse community is the welcome sign in front of Viet Wah Grocery - it has the word "welcome" written in six different languages.
Visit the Rainier Chamber of Commerce for more information on restaurants in the entire Rainier Valley in Southeast Seattle: www.rainierchamber.com
Getting There
In summer 2009, the Link Light Rail train system is slated in begin operations in Rainier Valley.
Metro Bus
Link Light Rail
Information and photos obtained with permission by Kubota Gardens, Kubota Gardens photo: Dani Weiss Photography
Complied and written by Susan Davis, Executive Director, Rainier Chamber of Commerce, 1700 21st Ave. South, Suite 206, Seattle, WA 98144 (206) 725-2010, mail@rainierchamber.com
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