Our History

Founded as a nonprofit partner for Seattle Parks and Recreation and fueled by the energy of civic leaders whose efforts to build a 60-acre “Seattle Commons” in South Lake Union were twice thwarted at the ballot box in the mid-1990s, Seattle Parks Foundation became an independent nonprofit in 2001. Its first endeavors included supporting the acquisition and development of Lake People (Xacua’bs) Park near Columbia City, the restoration of Schurman Rock at Camp Long in West Seattle, field and play area enhancements at Maple Elementary School on Beacon Hill, and early planning for Lake Union Park.

Since then, donors have contributed over $59 million through Seattle Parks Foundation to support more than 200 community-led park projects spanning almost every neighborhood in the city.