A park celebrating the life of Jimi Hendrix is being developed in Seattle, US next to the city's Northwest African American Museum.

Portland-based architects Murase Associates has been chosen to design the US$2m park, which is scheduled to open in 2012, marking the 70th birthday of Hendrix.

Butterflies, guitars and spiral flowers are among the key elements of the design and the park will be decorated in lyrical stepping, stones, rain drums and sculptures.

The park has secured nearly $650,000 for development, with the biggest investment being $500,000 from the city's Parks and Green Spaces Opportunity Fund. The figure includes $51,000 in donated time and materials to move the design along and $20,000 donated by Janie Hendrix - the half sister of Jimi Hendrix.

The park includes landscaping with trees and native plants, a flexible event space, walkways with inscribed Hendrix lyrics, seating areas and tables, educational and interpretive features and an eco-friendly infrastructure.

Janie Hendrix, founder of the Jimi Hendrix Park Foundation, said: "I was most impressed with the passion for this project expressed in Murases's application and presentation, as well as their commitment to creativity, innovation and community involvement."