More Than an Elevator Ride

Michael J. Ryan, vice president of business development at The Peelle Co., sent in these gorgeous green photos of the SHADOW Lake Nature Preserve in Renton, Washington. He said Peelle is a long-term supporter of the preserve, which provides education, preservation and restoration to the Puget Sound community. SHADOW protects more than 100 acres of land adjacent to Renton’s Shadow Lake and contains a variety of critical natural habitat types, including abundant wildlife, and aids in food mitigation and greenhouse-gas absorption. More than 1,500 local students visit it every year.

The entire park was made possible by Max Prinsen, who recently retired from Otis’ Seattle operation. After acquiring 18.5 acres of property surrounding Shadow Lake Bog, Prinsen and his wife, Erin, founded SHADOW in 2000. He serves as its president and representative to other organizations. He “was the go-to Otis expert for specialty lifts in the western U.S.,” Ryan added. To support or learn more about the nonproft, call 425-432-4914 or visit

shadowhabitat.org.