The Parks History Files document the acquisition, development, improvements, and use of over 200 department maintained facilities, including parks, boulevards, bathing beaches, golf courses, moorages, playgrounds and playfields, squares and mini-parks, stadiums, the Seattle Aquarium, and the Woodland Park Zoo. The largest files include: Alki Beach Park, Discovery Park, Green Lake, Jefferson Park, Madison Park, Pioneer Square, Ravenna Park, Seward Park, Volunteer Park, Woodland Park, and the Zoo.

The records in this subseries include correspondence, excerpts from annual reports, Board of Park Commissioners committee reports, brochures, City Council committee reports, maps and drawings, copies of legislation, petitions, reports and studies, and newspaper clippings. Also included are copies of drawings, notes and essays by Sherwood for most of the parks.