This series documents changes and improvements in Seattle parks, as well as the construction of new parks, through the records of the Facilities Maintenance Division. These activities were funded through Forward Thrust, Model City Program, and other agencies, as well as with Parks Department monies. The planning, design, and construction phases of projects are documented. Records are primarily those of project coordinators, as well as engineers, the city architect, and the Parks Superintendent.

The record series contains correspondence, contracts and agreements, reports, maps, drawings, newspaper clippings, and photographs. The series offers good snapshots of neighborhood character because community input was often an important part of the process of improving or developing new parks. The relationship between the Parks Department and contractors is also very well documented, especially through correspondence and meeting minutes which document projects through various stages. When more than one department or entity outside of the City are involved, as in the construction of the Aquarium or Freeway Park, for example, interdepartmental relationships are well documented through memoranda, reports and contracts.

Many projects in the collection are of note. One is the documentation of the Burke-Gilman Trail, which covers the years 1973 to 1980 and includes material on the land transfer between the railroad and the City, as well as correspondence between City departments and with community groups. The Capitol Hill Viewpoint or Louis Boren Lookout was designed by Victor Steinbrueck and his correspondence with the City is included in the project files.

The Discovery Park project is especially well documented. Land transfer, community input, construction, and the relationship between the City and the United Indians of All Tribes, as well as other issues relating to the development of the park, are documented in the records. The records include correspondence with Bernie Whitebear and documentation of various court proceedings with Margaret Coughlin.

Also well represented is the Thornton Creek area, especially the environmental studies done surrounding the idea of an urban park and trail. Additionally, the planning efforts and studies relating to the central waterfront area, as well, including explorations of a marina and convention center are detailed in the records. The large volume of records related to Magnuson Park reflect the complex decision-making process regarding its use.

In some cases, information can be found in more than one place in the series. Mini-parks are listed under the name of the specific park, but there are also folders under "small parks and recreation areas" which have information on mini-parks. Some park plans, such as South Lake Union Park, were explored, but not executed.