Mother Nature seems to endorse Burien’s monthly Walk-n-Talks. Brisk temperatures, but beautiful weather formed the backdrop for the fifth Walk-n-Talk on Dec. 3.

The Walk-n-Talk events launched in August with a new walking route each time. December’s destination was Mathison Park in the northeast Burien area with a tour led by Eric Mathison, “Highline Times” editor, whose family donated most of the land.

“I like that I see a lot of Burien that I probably wouldn’t see otherwise,” says Burien resident Sandy Gamrath. Gamrath is an avid and regular walker and was attracted to the Walk-n-Talk as an opportunity to meet new people. “I see a lot of new faces, but also people I know from the neighborhood,” she says.

Starting at Burien Town Square, a group of almost 20 people, and two dogs, walked a little over two miles to Mathison Park located at the top of South 146th Street, the highest point in Burien. The five-acre park was dedicated in 2006 and is ideal for walkers thanks to winding trails and a forest of resplendent trees.

“My mother (Bernadine) loved trees,” said Mathison during the park tour. Mathison’s parents bought the property in 1941 from Sunnydale Goat Dairy. An indication of Burien’s rural roots, a mink farm was across the street.

His father, Ted Mathison, was a Boeing engineer and built the family home himself, one pumice cinder block at a time. Myron Clinton, Burien Parks maintenance supervisor, currently lives in the house. The Mathison family, which eventually numbered five children, moved from West Seattle to their new home in 1944.

“All us boys had to share rooms while my sister got her own!” Mathison endearingly remembers.

The Mathison children made good use of the land building forts and helping their father tend the garden.

The family-friendly legacy continues today thanks to extensive play equipment and picnic benches located throughout. A bench encourages contemplation of the park’s natural wonders thanks to an engraved quote by Aristotle, “Nature does nothing uselessly.”

Ted Mathison donated most of the park lands with additional property donated by Eleanor Carver Nelson and Dorothy C. Carver in honor of their grandfather, Herman Nickolas Peters.

Rob Johnson, a 49-year Burien resident, enjoyed the Walk-n-Talk with his cockapoo canine companion, Romeo. “I knew the park was here, but I didn’t know the history. I’d come back,” he said.

In addition to exercise and social interaction, encouraging people to connect with their community is part of the goal for volunteer organizer Maureen Hoffman.

“The whole idea is to expose people to the Burien environs,” she said during her introduction for the Dec. 3 event.

The next event is on New Year’s Day, Jan. 1. Walkers should gather at Burien Town Square Park, S.W. 152nd St and 5th Pl. S.W. at 2 p.m. The walks are on the first Sunday of each month. For more information, e-mail design@RedRedCircle.com.

Sally Nelson served on the Burien City Council when Mathison Park was dedicated and participated in the Walk-n-Talk.

“The citizens of Burien are grateful to you (Eric Mathison) and your family,” she said.
For his part, Mathison is thankful that his parent’s vision has been honored.

“In my (late) father’s letter, he said that he donated the land with ‘great joy and trepidation.’ The trees are still here and I can’t say enough about what a great job (the city of Burien) has done,” says Mathison. “I’m happy that others have the chance to enjoy it.”

Mathison Park is located at 533 S. 146th St.