Parks and Playgrounds

Minutes of the Board of Park Commissioners, 1890 to 1991. Includes information on parks improvements, use of Parks lands, and budget information.

Slides and negatives of the Burke-Gilman Trail and other Seattle parks.

Records documenting the activites of the Carkeek Park Advisory Council.

Files documenting the activities and programs developed by park staff within the Carkeek Park Environmental Learning Center.

The Environmental Stewardship Unit Records document the activities and programs prepared and implemented by the Environmental Stewardship Coordinator (ESC). The ESC operated among a number of Seattle area parks, as well as the aquarium.

Records and photographs compiled by Ben Evans, documenting history of recreation programs within the Seattle Department of Parks and Recreation as well as the history and philosophy of recreation programs nationally.

Visual materials related to Forward Thrust planning and projects.

Copies of Olmsted plans for selected Seattle parks, as well as microfilm reels containing job files.

Photographic prints, negatives, and slides related to parks, activities in parks, and Parks Department personnel.Images are arranged alphabetically by subject and are a mix of prints, negatives and slides. Some are undated. Ninety-three images are digitized and available online.

Sixty seven copy prints of Olmsted Brothers from the Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site of parks projects in Seattle desposited at SMA by Friends of Seattle's Olmsted Parks. Prints have been digitized and added to the Photograph Index for online access.

Maps and drawings created primarily by the Olmsted Brothers, and also by the Seattle Parks Department. The maps illustrate work of the Olmsted Brothers on various parks in Seattle, including Greenlake, Volunteer Park, Woodland Park, Schmitz Park and Hiawatha playfield. Grading, planting, trails and roads are some of the characteristics included on the maps.

Digital images documenting community center and park openings.

Appraisals of buildings and property.

Correspondence between the Board of Park Commissioners and the City's Law Department.

Records relating to topics addressed at Park Commissioners meetings.

Records of a neighborhood-involvement project.

Grant records from the Neighborhood Matching Fund's Tree Fund.

Records of the Parks Department's Facilities Maintenance Division. The records document changes and improvements in Seattle parks as well as the planning, design, and construction of new parks.

Color slides depicting Seattle Department of Parks and Recreation activities and facilities.

Records concerning parks and playgrounds in South Seattle.

The Economic Development Administration Grant Project Records document the funding allocation and coordination of the United States Economic Development Administration grant funding program .

Records from the Seattle Engineering Department's central filing system.

Records of Parks activities funded by Model City contracts.

Financial audits

Records documenting the acquisition of properties for park purposes.

Working papers of the Seattle Planning Commission relating primarily to the development of the Comprehensive Plan, a Civic Arts Center, and recreation studies throughout the city.

Records of a citizen advisory committee working to develop park, open space, and recreation projects and programs.

Yearly inventory of the zoo's animal collection.

Records relating to the zoo's periodic applications for accreditation by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

Records from Woodland Park Zoo staff documenting planning efforts for a national conference.

Records relating to animal care and exhibit management at the Woodland Park Zoo.

Records documenting changes to Woodland Park Zoo's animal collections.

Annual reports of the Woodland Park Zoo and the Seattle Zoological Society.

Monthly reports on the zoo's bird collection.

Records relating to a $31.5 million bond issue for the zoo that was approved by voters in 1985.

Reference manuals created for the use of zoo docents.

Records of the development of and the public's response to the zoo's Long-Range plan as well as the planning and development of exhibits and facilities through four decades.

Records related to a loan from China of two rare golden monkeys.

Historical records collected by zoo staff.

Records relating to the zoo's planning and improvement efforts in the early 1970s.

Records relating to special events and promotions at Woodland Park Zoo.

Records relating to the zoo's water conservation efforts.