Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) has selected the first batch of community projects for their Park CommUNITY Fund, with a focus on enhancing park accessibility and acknowledging cultural histories. According to an announcement on Parkways Seattle, these 15 initiatives were chosen to promote equitable park improvements across Seattle's neighborhoods, driven by community input and intention.
Superintendent AP Diaz highlighted the community's role in shaping these projects, stating to Seattle Parks and Recreation, "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." The selection process began with over 240 submissions, refined by community delegates, SPR staff, and Frontline Community Partners. It culminated in a citywide vote in August, where nearly 2,900 people nominated their favorites. These 15 projects represent tiered funding, with 11 in Tier 1 receiving up to $150,000 and four in Tier 2 awarded between $150,000 and $1.5 million, ensuring that the funding is distributed equitably across regions and community needs.
In the larger funding bracket, significant allocations such as the Black Legacy Community Parks Master Planning and improvements at Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center underscore SPR's commitment to cultural representation and honoring local heritage. The smaller Tier 1 projects are equally impactful, ranging from exercise equipment upgrades to informational community installations that reflect Seattle's diverse communities.
Support from various community partners has been essential to the process, with Stewart Bowerman of the Rainier Beach Action Coalition affirming to Seattle Parks and Recreation, "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." Organizations like Hip Hop is Green and African Community Housing and Development have played key roles in guiding the selection and refinement of projects, while contributions from the City of Seattle’s Indigenous Advisory Council, Disability Commission, and LGBTQ Commission further shaped the inclusive vision of the fund.
With this initiative, SPR sets forth an example of how investment in public spaces can intersect with community advocacy, art, acknowledgment of history, and the promotion of health and wellness. The complete list of selected projects and their descriptions are available for public viewing on the Parkways Seattle webpage.
