After 13 years of work, the Hanwoori Korean Garden will soon be open to the public in Federal Way.

A grand opening ceremony on June 10 celebrated the completion of the garden. Inside ornate walls is a traditional octagonal Korean pavillion called a Palgakjeong, a Taegeuk patterned lawn, and plants with Korean and English signage. The garden is located at 550 SW Campus Drive in Federal Way, near the Panther Lake Trail and the King County Weyerhaeuser Aquatic Center.

Opening ceremonies included speeches by local leaders and congratulatory performances by various arts groups.

“This is not only for the Korean American community … it’s for the general public to be able to enjoy the rich culture, the Korean history dating back 5,000 years,” former Federal Way Mayor Mike Park told the Mirror.

The park was named “Hanwoori,” which means “We are one.” This name is an important part of the intention of the park, Mike Park said: “I hope this would be a symbol of the unified, diverse region.”

“This dream was to create a place where Korean culture is alive and becomes a bridge, not only to Korea, but also multi-ethnic communities,” said Daniel Kim, president of the Korean American Association of Federal Way.

Performers included Elina Berkovich on haegeum and Marie Park on violin, a song by Washington Chamber Vocal Quartet, a performance by Morado Seattle Korean Traditional Dance Team and a drumming performance by the Asian Student Association at Decatur.

Speakers also included former Mayor Mike Park; Eunji Seo, Consul General of the Republic of Korea in Seattle; current Federal Way Mayor Jim Ferrell; Korean American Association of Federal Way’s Daniel Kim; and King County Councilmember Pete von Reichbauer.

“It all began with a casual conversation with the Korean American Parents Association (KAPA),” Park told the Mirror.

That long ago discussion centered on how there are Japanese and Chinese gardens in the region, but no Korean ones.

When that conversation first began, it was originally to be called the “U.S.-Korea Amity Park,” but ultimately the name Hanwoori was found to represent the vision the best.

The ground was first broken for the project in 2021, after years of work to make the vision a reality.

The land was provided by the City of Federal Way and the pavilion was a gift from the sister city of Donghae, South Korea, which also provided financial support.

Ferrell highlighted this pivotal partner in his speech.

“We began a relationship with our sister city, Donghae, over 25 years ago. It’s been a culturally rich and productive relationship,” Ferrell said, adding that “during that time, they have their own park in Donghae commemorating the partnership between our two cities and now we have one of our own, which we will enjoy for decades to come.”

Today, the garden includes a seasonal plants, chosen to be beautiful in all four seasons. The Taegeuk pattern in the center of the garden represents coexistence and harmony and is related to the concept of yin and yang. A monument also reinforces that message, with Hanwoori written on the stone.

Violinist Marie Park performed at the grand opening and said she is looking forward to enjoying the garden in the future.

“Traditionally, people will meet and share food or cut fruit together,” she said of the pavilion. “I’m looking forward to meeting up with friends for a picnic here.”

“I think it’s significant for our children and community to see representation…it gives them a sense of belonging,” Marie Park said of the importance of Hanwoori Garden in general. She highlighted the authenticity of the structure with traditionally designed elements.

The park is officially part of Federal Way parks and will be open to the public soon. Parks Director John Hutton told the Mirror that the contractor has a few last things to complete before it is officially open to the public, but that it “should not be long.”

Photo by Keelin Everly-Lang / the Mirror Former Federal Way Mayor Mike Park speaks at the grand opening ceremony of Hanwoori Garden on June 10.

Local leaders cut the ribbon at Hanwoori Garden including: Deputy Consul General for the Republic of Korea Mijo Park, President of the Federal Way Korean American Association Daniel Kim, Representative Kristine Reeves (D-30th District), Federal Way City Council President Linda Kochmar, Federal Way Mayor Jim Ferrell, Former Federal Way Mayor Mike Park, Consul General for the Republic of Korea in Seattle Eunji Seo, King County Councilmember Pete von Reichbauer and Superintendent of Federal Way Public Schools Dr. Dani Pfeiffer. Photo by Keelin Everly-Lang / the Mirror

Councilmembers Jack Dovey, Susan Honda, Hoang Tran, Paul McDaniel, Lydia Assefa-Dawson and Federal Way Police Chief Andy Hwang all enjoy the festivities at the grand opening ceremony of the Hanwoori Garden. Photo by Keelin Everly-Lang / the Mirror

Former Mayor Mike Park and King County Councilmember Pete von Reichbauer at the garden’s opening. Photo by Keelin Everly-Lang / the Mirror

This statue includes the name of the park written in Korean and emphasizes the intention of the garden – a focus on unity, togetherness and balance that celebrates Korean culture and the rich diversity of Federal Way and South King County. Photo by Keelin Everly-Lang / the Mirror

Many trees and plants throughout the garden include descriptions in both Korean and English, allowing guests to have a deeper appreciation for the nature in the garden. Photo by Keelin Everly-Lang / the Mirror

Photo by Keelin Everly-Lang / the Mirror The Morado Seattle Korean Traditional Dance Team performs “JinJu GeomMu” with ceremonial swords.

Hanwoori Garden’s completion took the efforts of many members of the community including the Federal Way Korean American Association, local leaders and more. Photo by Keelin Everly-Lang / the Mirror

Eunji Seo, Consul General of the Republic of Korea in Seattle. Photo by Keelin Everly-Lang / the Mirror

The audience was seated on the Taegeuk patterned lawn as they enjoyed a performance by Elina Berkovich on the haegeum and Marie Park on the violin. This view is from the pavilion itself. Photo by Keelin Everly-Lang / the Mirror

Detail of the pavilion, which includes traditional elements that were crafted the sister city of Donghae before being assembled at Hanwoori Garden. Photo by Keelin Everly-Lang / the Mirror