A new Eagle will stand guard at Burien’s Eagle Landing Park.[/caption] On Monday afternoon (Nov. 10), a new wooden Eagle sculpture – carved by Artist Jack McEntire – was installed in the parking lot of Burien’s Eagle Landing Park, replacing the one that was stolen last February (read our previous coverage here). [caption id="" align="alignright" width="303"] The original Eagle carving was stolen in February, 2014.[/caption] The original carving was stolen a couple of weeks after the Seahawks won the Super Bowl, leaving many to speculate it was ripped off by an unethical football fan seeking a trophy piece for their man (or thief) cave. A photo of the stolen art, along with the police report is displayed on the pedestal where the sculpture once sat. The original Eagle, carved from Western Red Cedar by Artist Galen Willis, was installed at the park in Oct., 2011 (read our previous coverage here). It stood 44 inches tall, and was mounted on a pedestal and housed in a shelter constructed by Eagle Scout candidate Sean Kent as part of a project to complete his Eagle Scout requirements. The new Eagle is much taller, and its installation is thanks to local residents John White – who lives next door to the park at Forest Ledge – and Guy Harper, who connected John with McEntire. White donated around $1,500 of his own money to pay for the carving and installation of the replacement eagle. The Burien Arts Commission reviewed and approved the design and presented it to the city council, which voted unanimously to approve. “This one was also carved from Western Red Cedar,” said ‘Chainsaw’ Jack McEntire. “The wood was recovered from a high altitude in Eastern Washington above the Yakima Valley.” McEntire spent around a week carving the new creation, mostly with chainsaws. One difference with this new Eagle is that it’s much more securely fastened than the previous one. “If the stolen, original sculpture is ever recovered it should be returned to its home at Eagle Landing, but until then this new eagle will stand watch,†John White added. Eagle Landing Park – located at 14641 25th Ave SW – was established in 2005. It is a six-acre park containing many native plants, mammals and birds, as well as a metal staircase which winds its way down a steep slope to Puget Sound. Eagles have nested and rested in the old-growth conifer forest of the park since 1991. Here are photos of the new artwork installation, taken by Scott Schaefer (click images to see larger versions/slideshow): [caption id="attachment_79230" align="aligncenter" width="490"] Artist “Chainsaw” Jack McEntire and resident John White post in front of the new replacement Eagle carving at Eagle Landing Park.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_79226" align="aligncenter" width="490"] McEntire secures the back of the new carving.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_79231" align="aligncenter" width="490"] The proud new Eagle stands guard.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_79229" align="aligncenter" width="490"] The talons of the new carving.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_79228" align="aligncenter" width="490"] McEntire shows his specialized chainsaw he used to carve the new bird.[/caption]]]>
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Thank you Jack and John! Sean Kent worked extremely hard building the shelter as part of his Eagle Scout project. It is fantastic that a new Eagle can now call it home!!!