More West Seattle park input requested: Hiawatha Playfield, Schmitz Boulevard

(Hiawatha, photographed earlier this month by Andy)

Another request for your input – this time, for the future of the city’s Olmsted parks, including Hiawatha Playfield and the section of Schmitz Park known as its Boulevard. Here’s the survey, which includes this explanatory introduction:

Seattle Parks and Recreation is wrapping up a study of 10 of the Olmsted Parks and Boulevards. The purpose of the Olmsted Parks Study and the following survey is to hear from the Seattle community how Seattle Parks and Recreation can prioritize restoration of these historically significant assets. …

Seattle’s Olmsted Parks and Boulevards began as a dream the City of Seattle had in the late 1800’s for a beautiful system of landscapes among urban growth. This vision was implemented in the form of parks throughout the city designed by the Olmsted Brothers landscape architecture firm. The basis of design for these parks was to allow access to attractive open spaces to provide peace and respite for people from all walks of life.

The study is here (PDF), with Hiawatha assessment and recommendations starting on page 84, and Schmitz right after that, at page 96. Historic photos, too!

BACKSTORY: Here’s more on the Olmsted parks’ restoration project that this is all part of

3 Replies to "More West Seattle park input requested: Hiawatha Playfield, Schmitz Boulevard"

  • Admiral Mom February 21, 2019 (8:13 am)

    Wow! Super happy to see that Hiawatha would undergo an renovation! The playground is in dire need of an update. I like the plan that they have in place. I assume they will be taking out the exercise equipment that I rarely see adults using. Kids only play on it and it seems much safer to just have a playground there.     

    • Eileen Macoll February 25, 2019 (10:33 am)

      As a WS grad who participated in soccer I have spent many hours at Hiawatha.  It is in much need of restoration.  The Community Center is a gem.  More ADA access in needed so people of all abilities can enjoy. Take the Survey! Support the restoration of Hiawatha.

  • junctioneer February 21, 2019 (10:52 am)

    I don’t see why the playground needs any sort of update, other than perhaps bringing back the much-loved toy excavator in the sandpit, but the improvements mentioned to that park look nice. Agreed the exercise equipment is just another kid play area. The survey was pretty short, though, and I didn’t understand what I took to be the primary question, particularly about community fundraising. What does community fundraising for parks look like?

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