March 18, 2024

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Today’s Forecast

Let’s take a grassy stroll through the past

Discovery Park in Seattle with a lighthouse and the water in the background

Discovery Park offers one of the most popular Seattle trails. | Photo via Seattle Parks and Recreation

You may have already known that Seattle is consistently ranked as having one of the best park systems in the US — but did you know that’s quite literally by design?

There have been plenty of factors that have ultimately led to our robust catalog of green spaces, but one big cause can be traced back to 1903 when Seattle hired John Charles Olmsted to design a network of parks.

Olmsted was, at the time, the co-owner of the Olmsted Brothers landscaping design firm, which had been responsible for New York City’s Central Park and Boston’s “Emerald Necklace.”

And while a lot of Eastern cities are pretty proud to have one or two of these works, Seattle has 37 of their parks and playgrounds. Uh, no big deal or anything.

Nonprofit Friends of Seattle’s Olmsted Parks also has a self-guided tour of Seward Park.
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Photo via Seattle Parks and Rec

How did we end up with so many?

In the wake of the Klondike Gold Rush, Seattle was quickly expanding and the city saw an opportunity to begin protecting and preserving its land before too much was lost to development. In 1902, an official movement began in the Seattle Board of Park Commissioners to build a more elaborate system and hired the Olmsted firm.

Olmsted and his assistant traveled to Seattle to begin taking stock of the land and its most beautiful areas. The two then took their findings and overlaid them with two previously completed (but not enacted) designs — a parks plan created in 1892 and a proposed 25-mile system of bike paths — to create their Comprehensive System of Parks and Parkways.

In 1903, city council approved the proposal and the Olmsted firm got to work. Cal Anderson Park became the first Olmsted designed park in 1904. The firm’s relationship with the city lasted until 1941.

gasworks — We’re pretty glad they decided to preserve this view from Gas Works Park.
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Photo via Wikimedia Commons

Olmsted Parks today

Those looking to enjoy the interweaving artwork created by the Olmsteds can check out nonprofit org Friends of Seattle’s Olmsted Parks walking tour, which covers 50km of trails between the parks.

Asked

Which major Olmsted park is your favorite?

A. Golden Gardens
B. Discovery Park
C. Alki Beach Park
D. Jefferson Park
E. Other

What's your pick?

Events

Monday, March 18

Buff and Bendy Biking | Monday, March 18, Monday, March 25 | 6:30-7:30 p.m. | Upward Physical Therapy, 928 Leary Way NW Ste. 204, Seattle | $25-$250 | Get ready for cycling season with a guided dynamic workout, cross training, and a static stretching routine — plus, you’ll get to take home your own resistance band.

Tuesday, March 19

27th Annual Daffodil Day | Tuesday, March 19 | 11 a.m.-2 p.m. | Pike Place Market, 85 Pike St., Seattle | Free | Welcome in Spring with free bundles of sunshine-y daffodils from the market.

Wednesday, March 20

Cocktail Masterclass: Build Your Own Old Fashioned | Wednesday, March 20, Wednesday, March 27 | 6:15 p.m. | W Bellevue, 10455 NE Fifth Place, Seattle | $70 | Learn how to make your own fancy cocktail using Woodinville Whiskey Co.'s spirits as your base.
“What We Do In The Shadows” Trivia | Wednesday, March 20 | 7-8:30 p.m. | Wildrose, 1021 E. Pike St., Seattle | $7 | Grab yourself a human alcohol beer and see how much you remember about these ridiculous vampires — just be careful who you invite in with you.

Thursday, March 21

Runic Writing Basics Class | Thursday, March 21 | 7-8:30 p.m. | Skål Beer Hall, 5429 Ballard Ave. NW, Seattle | $15 | Learn the basics of runic writing used during the Viking Age from a Northwest Viking Alliance elder.
Fun Intended Pun Slam | Thursday, March 21 | 7-9 p.m. | Comedy/Bar, 210 Broadway E., Seattle | $10-$15 | Enjoy the eye-rolling humor and bring some idioms you’d like to hear incorrectly explained.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Development

Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell recently introduced new legislation that would make it easier for developers to convert office space into apartment complexes. The bill is aimed at establishing clear guidelines for what qualifies as a “residential conversion” and offer broad exemptions from design standards. (Puget Sound Business Journal)

Tech

After receiving $18 million in funding, Seattle-based space resources company Interlune is getting ready to launch a moon mining branch of its business. By 2030, the company hopes to begin its helium-3 (a rare gas on Earth) extraction operations, with intentions to sell it to clean energy, national security, and quantum computing businesses. (Puget Sound Business Journal)

Plan Ahead

Get your green thumbs out — Bellevue is getting ready to host its first-ever EarthFest on Saturday, April 20, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Bellevue Botanical Garden. Expect activities + games, garden tours, educational programs, and environmental resource booths. (Downtown Bellevue Network)

Sports

Mariners star player Julio Rodriguez is gearing up to begin his third MLB season after a rocket-like start to his career. Hear from the local experts about what challenges he might be up against this year with Locked On’s daily, Mariners-focused podcasts.

The Buy

A new scent from Corridor Candle Co. Collection to treat yourself. It’s the first day of spring and what better way to celebrate the season than a new candle?

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Alina

From the editor

It’s be hard for me to pick my own favorite Olmsted park, but Golden Gardens might be it if you were to force me to pick. I love any beach (largely for the rock collecting opportunities), but the mountain backdrop really sells it for me. But there’s also so many I haven’t been to yet, that it also feels unfair to pick. I guess I’ll have to do some more exploring.

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