to the Washington State Department of Transportation, "Native plants, wetlands, and wildlife ... would be affected not only by the taking of land but by the looming shadows created by roadways in various proposals". Among the alternative proposals is the "Arboretum Bypass Plan," building the new elevated highway over Union Bay on a more northerly route than the current one. Seattle Japanese Garden The Seattle Japanese Garden is a 3.5 acre (14,000 m2) Japanese garden in the Madison Park neighborhood of Seattle, Washington. The Garden is located in the Southern end of the Washington Park Arboretum on Lake Washington Boulevard East. The Garden is one of the oldest Japanese Gardens in North America, and is regarded as one of the most authentic Japanese Gardens in the United States. See also List of botanical gardens in the United States North American Plant Collections Consortium References External links Washington Park Arboretum: Center for Urban Horticulture, College of Forest Resources, University of Washington Japanese Garden Parks department: Washington Park Playfield Some photos in and around the arboretum History of Washington Park (and Arboretum), including several hand-drawn maps, on the site of the Seattle Department of Parks and Recreation. Arboreta in Washington (state) Botanical gardens in Washington (state) Parks in Seattle Woodland gardens