A group of residents gathered at “Burt’s Bench” in North Bend on the morning of June 16 to celebrate a new sprinkler system that will water the bench’s nearby garden.

The bench and adjacent garden are located along the North Bend Rail Trail, just outside the city’s post office. They are named in honor of longtime resident Burt “Walking” Mann, a 100-year-old World War II veteran.

Filled with all sorts of colorful shrubs, trees and rocks, the garden has been a passion project for Mann, who frequents the area on his daily walk through town. Referred to as “Burt’s Bench,” the site has since been inscribed in his honor by the Snoqualmie Valley Kiwanis, with a plaque calling him “truly an inspiration to us all.”

Mann has gained local fame for these walks, which have been going on almost daily for three decades. Earlier this year, he was named the most inspirational Valley resident by Valley Record readers.

Recently, Mann’s garden had been left unwatered, leaving him to carry milk jugs on his walker each day to sustain it.

After learning of this, resident Tom Armour noticed there was an irrigation system nearby from a new housing project that could be tied into. He reached out to Tom Gallagher and Dan Waddell, who work at homebuilding company Pulte, to ask about a possible connection.

“Within 24 hours Pulte Homes donated the materials and labor and sprinklers were watering Burt’s garden,” Armour said.

Gallagher said the system is now designed to turn on everyday at 5 a.m.

While sitting on his bench last Friday morning, Mann was overcome with emotion by the gathering and new watering system.

“I can’t believe it,” he said. “I’m just one man, but I’ve built this entire family just by walking.”

Mann’s Garden.