Volunteer Park Lily Ponds

Location: 14th Avenue E. & E. Prospect

Seattle Parks Foundation raised $200,000 to restore these 100-year old Olmsted-designed lily ponds, located in the heart of Volunteer Park. The lily ponds, which are located west of the Seattle Asian Art museum, overlooking the Volunteer Park reservoir, were central to the original design for Volunteer Park. Their serene beauty was enjoyed by park visitors for decades until the ponds fell into disrepair, and sat empty and unused for many years. The lily ponds were restored in 2003, as part of the centennial anniversary of Seattle's Olmsted park system. Thanks to gifts from the Tateuchi Foundation and other major donors, today the ponds are bursting with lily pads and blossoms, and goldfish swim in their waters.