Seattle Parks and Recreation’s Park CommUNITY Fund! 15 Community Initiated Projects Selected

Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) is pleased to announce the selection of the first 15 CommUNITY Fund projects to advance park equity throughout Seattle. The selected projects foster healthy people, thriving environments, and vibrant communities.

"The improvements funded by the Park CommUNITY Fund will make existing parks more accessible, create safe and welcoming spaces for frontline communities to gather, and provide places for people to get healthy year-round. Several projects focus on cultural representation and historical acknowledgment, including Indigenous art installations and improvements honoring the legacy of black community leaders. All the park improvement submissions came straight from the community, our most important partner! I want to thank the community for their participation and our staff who ran a great process centered around frontline communities and elevating their voices. Many of these projects have been desires of our frontline communities for decades and turning these community voices into concrete action is a win," said AP Diaz, Seattle Parks and Recreation Superintendent.

The projects were selected from over 240 community idea submissions. With guidance from Frontline Community Partners, community delegates, SPR staff, and the Board of Park and Recreation, the projects were refined and narrowed down to 27 that moved on to be included in a citywide Community Selection process. In August 2024, nearly 2,900 people nominated their favorite projects in each region.

The selected projects are divided into two tiers: 11 projects in Tier 1, will receive up to $150,000, and 4 projects in Tier 2, will receive between $150,000 and $1.5 million. In alignment with our commitment to equitable development, at least 3 to 4 projects were chosen in each region, ensuring that diverse community needs are addressed throughout Seattle.

The 15 community-initiated projects awarded through SPR first Park CommUNITY Fund are direct benefits of the Park District Fund Cycle 2 The Park CommUNITY Fund. Full project descriptions can be found here.

2024 Park CommUNITY Fund Selections

Selected Tier 2 Projects (Between $150k and $1.5M)

Central Seattle:

• Access Improvements for Denny Blaine Park
• Black Legacy Community Parks Master Planning

North Seattle:

• Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center Access Improvements at Discovery Park

South Seattle:

• Covered and Lit Basketball Courts at Be'er Sheva Park

Selected Tier 1 Projects (Up to $150k)

Central Seattle:

• Exercise Equipment Replacement at Hing Hay Park
• Water Bottle Refilling Station at Garfield Teen Life Center

North Seattle:

• Bathroom Study for NE Seattle Parks
• Outdoor Cultural Space at Green Lake Community Center
• Community Gathering Improvements at Haller Lake Street End

South Seattle:

• Art Installations and Signage at Hutchinson Playground
• Spray Park Feasibility Study in Rainier Beach
• Kids Basketball Hoops at SE Parks

West Seattle:

• Covered Shelter Area at Roxhill Park
• Duwamish Art & Signage at Herrings House Park
• Outdoor exercise equipment in South Park

"These projects didn't come from nowhere. People have been thinking about them, talking about them, and dreaming about them for some time, and this is a great way to make it happen," said Stewart Bowerman from Rainier Beach Action Coalition, one of the Frontline Community Partners for the Park CommUNITY Fund.

We want to thank all of the community members and our frontline partners, Hip Hop is Green, Rainier Beach Action Coalition (RBAC), Lake City Collective, Cham Refugees, African Community Housing and Development, and Mary's Place for all of their support during this process. Additionally, a special thank you to the City of Seattle's Indigenous Advisory Council, Disability Commission, and LGBTQ Commission for their contributions during the process.

For more information, please visit bit.ly/parkcommunityfund or contact Shaquan Smith and Rachel Banner at [email protected].

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