Seattle bureaucrats are at it again, and this time they're reaching out to the public for a bit of creative help. The city's Parks and Recreation Department is calling for suggestions to name two upcoming parks in the Rainier Valley and South Park neighborhoods. Residents have until May 31 to get their proposals in, and with an eye on local geography, history, and natural features, everyone's hoping the naming game doesn't turn into a farce. Heaven forbid we get suggestions like "Parky McParkface" or "Green Patch Number 1".
The two parks in question are currently dully referred to as the North Rainier Landbank Site and the South Park Plaza Site. The future North Rainier Park is a long incubated seed, finally sprouting with parcels purchased staggered in 2011, 2016, and just last year in 2021. Planted in an area dense with concrete jungles, design plans promise accessibility for all, including those with disabilities. They are committed to keeping the concrete to a minimum, trails, and walkways excluded, according to a recent post on Seattle's Parkways blog.
On the other hand, South Park's Plaza aims to become a leafy haven along the South Park River Walk. Bought by SPR in 2014, it's expected to transform into an urban oasis complete with lawn spaces, play areas, and terraces to sit on – all while ensuring a walker's paradise with its accessible pathways. The blog post notes that this new park will serve as a primary event space for the South Park community, which presently is suffocated by its urban density.
The Parks Naming Committee includes members from Seattle’s Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners, the City Council Parks, Public Utilities and Technology Committee, and a choice from the SPR Superintendent AP Diaz. The final decision, after all, lies with Superintendent Diaz, but only after the committee has filtered through what one can only guess will be a mix of the sentimental, the serious, and the downright silly submissions from the public. Interested parties can review the Park Naming Policy for guidance on the naming chaos at the Seattle Parks website.
