Rainier Beach in Southeast Seattle is one of the most ethnically and linguistically diverse neighborhoods in the United States. For a decade, Detective Denise ‘Cookie’ Bouldin has inspired Rainier Beach youth to avoid violence and become successful adults by developing critical thinking skills through playing chess. Her chess club meets twice weekly, year round, in spaces donated by the Rainier Beach Branch Library and Rainier Beach Community Center. She also teaches chess classes at nearby South Shore K-8 and Van Asselt Elementary School, connecting with more than 190 students each week. With community input, and design expertise from Johnson and Southerland, the Friends of Detective Cookie Chess Park have developed a professional landscaping plan for an outdoor chess park that features permanent artist-designed tables and multi-functional community space in the right-of-way at Rainier Ave South, South Barton Place, and 51st Avenue South. The park was built in partnership with Seattle Department of Transportation in 2022. Your contribution will be instrumental in supporting community events and ongoing maintenance.

Access the park schematic (pdf) here.