(Photo by Jason Ayres Gift Enevoldsen)
When you join West Seattle’s own NASA Solar System Ambassador Alice Enevoldsen for her summer-solstice sunset watch on June 20th at Solstice Park – you might not see the distinctive granite markers that line up with the setting sun at solstices/equinoxes: The city has taken them away to refresh the faded engraved phrases that explain the markers’ purpose.

(2012 WSB photo)
At first, the markers’ absence was a surprise – no advance announcement, and Alice hadn’t even heard about it until a recent park visitor e-mailed her to ask about it; she subsequently asked us if we’d heard anything (no). Hoping it wasn’t a case of theft like the Rotary Viewpoint Park totem-pole saga, she and we launched inquiries, and finally found out what was going on.

The timing could have been better — apparently the city Office of Arts and Culture, which arranged for this, didn’t know that Solstice Park is used for Alice’s signature solstice/equinox educational events, so when we mentioned the upcoming solstice watch to a staffer we talked with on Tuesday, she promised they’ll try to expedite to get the markers back in time. Whether they do or don’t, you’ll want to be at the park (directions are on Alice’s website) 8:45 pm-9:45 pm on Saturday, June 20th, for Alice’s next quarterly viewing event. She points out that “the earthworks are still in place,” so, “It’ll be a great chance to talk about marker placement anyway.”