Take in the Heritage Flower Garden, pause in the aviary to catch the soft sounds of doves and the colors of the Asian pheasants, peafowl and other birds, enjoy the water lillies and ducks floating on the Schaefer Pond Garden.

After long years of planning, purchasing, planting and preparation, Maurice Skagen and James Daily are ready to pull back the curtain Saturday and Sunday on their creation, the Soos Creek Botanical Garden.

Day one of the grand opening runs from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday at 29308 132nd Avenue SE on Lea Hill. At 1 p.m. there will be a bird release, followed by a talk from garden columnist and author Marianne Binetti. After that visitors are free to stroll the grounds.

The plant sale resumes at 10 a.m. Sunday, followed by demonstrations from 11 to 12:30 p.m. At 1 p.m., Richie Steffen, curator of the Elizabeth C. Miller Garden, will give a talk. There will be a butterfly release and self-guided garden tours. The garden closes at 5 p.m.

Thereafter, the seasonal hours will be 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Wednesdays and Thursdays, or by appointment. Docent tours available to groups.

For more information, call 253-639-0949, email sooscreekbotanicalgarden@gmail.com, or check out the website at SoosCreekBotanicalGarden.org.

The Soos Creek History Center, displaying early photos, historical maps and newspaper articles, is also on the grounds. It is devoted to the farming life of the early settlers on the Soos Creek plateau, a 35-square-mile area.