Carkeek Park Advisory Council Records
Series, 5809-03
- Record Group
- 5800-00
- Dates
- 1983 – 2009
- Extent
- 3.6 cubic_feet (9 boxes)
- Description
- The “original” Carkeek Park was located on Lake Washington, around Sand Point. In 1926, the Carkeek family donated the area to the US Navy for use as a naval air station, and the current location within Piper’s Canyon was purchased for the park. The park formally opened on August 29, 1929 and initially held vegetable gardens, zoo animals, and rental pasture. Original development and activity was halted once WPA projects took precedence. In 1931, the Civilian Conservation Corps, with the assistance of the National Parks Service, developed trails, a shelter, camp buildings, and a park entrance for work and training purposes. The buildings, except for one, were later removed in 1938. The army briefly reactivated the area in 1942 for use as an encampment during World War II. In 1949, the Greenwood Sewer District established a sewage treatment plant in the park, which was subsequently taken over by Metro in 1954. Later, municipal bonds enabled road and building improvements, and further park development. The Parks Department formally dedicated the park in 1955. In 1972 Forward Thrust funds enabled the purchase of the ravine, significantly expanding the park area. nnThe Piper’s Creek Watershed, an area of roughly 3 square miles, is located partially within Carkeek Park, and throughout the mixed residential and commercial areas of Greenwood, Broadview, Crown Hill and Blue Ridge neighborhoods. Restoration, preservation, and expansion of the watershed were initiated in 1979 when Nancy Malmgren founded a citizen’s organization, the Carkeek Watershed Community Action Project (CWCAP). As an environmental working group, CWCAP sought to turn the area into a model watershed and restore a healthy salmon habitat in Piper’s Creek. The Washington State Department of Fisheries granted the organization permission to begin watershed enhancement in 1980. nnSince the mid-1980s, local community groups, state agencies, and various city departments have collaborated to protect the watershed and salmon habitat; provide environmental education to the public; maintain, monitor, and regulate water quality; establish drainage and erosion control; and ensure the continuation of the CWCAP agenda. From the Action Project also arose the Carkeek Park Advisory Council (CPAC), to track and implement the work of the Watershed Project. The Carkeek Environmental Learning Center, a Salmon Committee, and Piper’s Creek Rehabilitation projects were also by-products of the Action Project. These were sustained by the support of Seattle Public Utilities, the Department of Neighborhoods, the Parks and Recreation Department, state agencies, and the help of numerous community organizations and volunteers. nnCPAC was established in 1990 within the Natural Resources Unit of the Parks Department. Files primarily document the activities of CPAC, and CPAC sub-committees. Members oversaw much of the projects and programs initiated by the Carkeek Watershed Community Action Project and implemented Parks and SPU department policies. Programs and projects included environmental education programs, park and watershed maintenance, and habitat restoration. Major issues documented include the Broadview Sewer Repair Project, property negotiations with Burlington Northern Railroad, renovating the park Annex building, grants and funding. Records consist of correspondence; training materials; meeting minutes and agendas; program and project plans and reports; as well as photographs.nn
- Encoded Archival Description (EAD)
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