Seattle just scored a big green thumbs up for environmental and community excellence, folks. Seward Park, a picturesque slice of nature hugging Lake Washington, has nabbed the Green Flag Award. This isn't just any pat on the back for being pretty; the Green Flag Award is a serious nod to spaces that juggle sustainability, biodiversity, and community vibes like a seasoned circus performer, minus the top hat and the juggled chainsaws. Pretty neat, right? Parkways Seattle announced this first-of-its-kind recognition for an American municipal park on June 14th, noting the international panel of judges who, frankly, seemed to be quite charmed by Seward's old-growth forest, art studios, and the community mixing it up on the daily there.
What's the big deal with the Green Flag Award? Think of it as the Oscars for parks, minus the glitzy gowns and awkward monologues. Origins trace back to England in 1996, and it's dolled out by non-profit bods who dig well-maintained green spaces. Now, over 2,400 parks in 18 countries are strutting their stuff with the Green Flag—the difference is that parks don't do struts; they are, after all, parks. But Seward Park's third-highest level score is no mean feat for a newbie applicant, especially when you've got judges from Great Britain and Mexico peeking under every rock and bush.
Local park enthusiasts and city slickers alike are buzzing over this award. In a statement procured by Parkways Seattle, Paul Talbert, president of Friends of Seward Park, waxed poetic about the park's role in serving "diverse ethnic communities of southeast Seattle." Words like "recreation," "art," and "environmental education" peppered his accolades, highlighting Seward's significance in ecological preservation, all while playing host to salmon and eagles looking for some prime Pacific Northwest real estate.
AP Diaz, SPR Superintendent, expressed his delight over the award, emphasizing that this wasn't just a win for the department but a collective high-five from Seattleites who hold the park dear. According to Parkways Seattle, Diaz said, "Seward Park is a shining jewel in our park system,” adding that pride to a statement about the staff's hard work as well as the adoration by Seattle's residents for this "natural space within our city."
And here's a kicker: Seward isn't just winning green flags. It also snagged the title of Urban Quiet Park in 2024 thanks to Quiet Parks International who found its soundscapes to be less ear-busting and traffic-droning than a zen garden during nap time. Plus, the UN Environment Program threw down a "Role Model City" title for Seattle in 2023 as part of their Generation Restoration shebang. So it seems Seward Park and Seattle are on a roll collecting kudos like a proud parent plastering the fridge with A+ report cards. Only this time, the fridge is the great outdoors, and the report cards are international awards that suggest Seattle's environmental and community game is as strong as a triple-shot espresso from your favorite local coffee joint.
