Sue and I visited the Chinese Reconciliation Project today. It was the first time it was open to the public, timed to coincide with the arrival of Tall Ships Tacoma.

The park and the Parade of Sail were a spectacular combination. Here are photos from our field trip. Sue provided the commentary.

Enjoy.

Our first impression was that the park is heavy on hardscapes and light on garden. This cove, we think, is pure genius. We immediately coined a term for it, "a mini tidal basin." This little outlet fills with water at high tide, and we imagine it looks really interesting as the water level increases. We'll go back to see that happen. This area is positioned just below the pedestrian bridge.

The view from the pedestrian bridge. That's the Lady Washington in the background. Again, a waterfront park is such a cool thing.

This spiral walkway is a focal point at the entrance to the park. It travels from a sloped area and winds into the tight circle you see here around the slab of granite. We aren't sure what the symbolism of the spiral is, but it's a really interesting spot. We walked single file around the spiral and pondered the slab of granite.

Oat grass? Blue fescue? We couldn't quite decide what it is (probably fescue, judging by the stalks), but there is quite a lot of it. There are many of these mounding grasses in long, straight lines that move your eye toward the water. I like how the plantings and the hardscapes, including the elevated areas, seem to really draw the eye and the observer to the water. The ship in the background is the Amazing Grace.

More hardscapes! Yes, this garden is heavy on rocks and hardscaping. I appreciate that, though. Gardens with structure are interesting. It seems as if the park will look more garden-ish when the plants mature. We saw lots of freshly planted ornamental grasses, rhododendrons and roses. I had an OCD moment when I saw the spent flowers on the rhododendron bush. I even started dead heading one of them, but stopped after I realized that I probably shouldn't engage in public pruning anymore. I'll save it for my yard.

We are back from our field trip and I am sunburned. Don't let the overcast weather fool you, the sun is out. It is just sort of hiding, that's all.

Craig and I had good times at the Chinese Reconciliation Park and Tall Ships. Watch for a post on that in a bit after Craig works up the photos and I formulate some thoughts.

Here's something fun: We swung by the farmers market on our way back. I sauntered right on up to the Amergardens booth and bought myself a garden full of lavender. Or, at least it will be a garden full of lavender in a few years. Right now, it's baby lav. Ready to be nurtured.

I bought: Silver frost, grosso, munstead, lodden blue and Spanish.

Look! A picture! (Not as good as Craig Sailor's, but it will pass. I took this with my cell phone just now).

Here are my five varieties of lavender, nestled among the offerings of my desk: the SoundLife team digital audio recorder, today's paper, a falafel sandwich from MSM deli (in the bag) and my water bottle. Enjoy!

In a few moments, my fellow garden blogger Craig Sailor and I will head out into the drizzle to the opening of the new Chinese Reconciliation Park for a tour and our first up-close gaze at the new garden there.

In yesterday's South Sound section, our intern Brian Everstine wrote about the park. Click HERE to read it.

Volunteers will give tours from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. today. Meet at the park's entrance for your own tour. Craig and I are looking forward to inspecting the waterside garden. We're curious how the view will play into the aesthetics of the garden. And of course, our photographer supreme, The Craigenator, will snap photos. Watch for them here later today.

Oh, while we're there, we'll also check out the Tall Ships. You know, those huge beasts that are sailing into town this weekend?

Note: It's raining! Bring an umbrella. But, duh, you already knew that.

Details here:
Tours of Chinese Reconciliation Park
11 a.m. to 5 p.m. today
Near Jack Hyde Park on the waterfront, at the south end of Ruston Way (you know, near Old Town)
Click HERE for more info to fill your brain.