Who Will Be Our Ebenezer of Today?

This was the treeless western Washington that Ebenezer Rhys Roberts brought his horticultural experience from Kew Gardens in London to become the only reason we have any tree canopy at all in the City of Destiny today.  Yes, destiny was Tacoma’s future - based on the timber industry with easy transport to the rest of the world. Can you imagine the challenge he faced, given our city fathers’ dream of a timber industry driven by Northern Pacific’s decision to locate its western terminus in Tacoma.  With all trees clearcut in the city, the timber barons headed to the hills, and even the mountains, as you can see in this 1880 photo of Snoqualmie Pass.  Read about how  Ebenezer Rhys Roberts created the substance of the tree canopy we have today and realize 130 years later, we face the same challenge.

       Who is our Ebenezer of this century?

Where is Point Defiance?  Where is Wright Park?

Who will step up now?  Who will create a new Point Defiance for the next turn of the century?  Will it be our City Council?  We face the same challenge as did Ebenezer.  He proved it can be done.  What do you think?  Can it be done again?  Where do we start?  Let us hear from you.