The Department of Parks and Recreation maintains the City's parks, shorelines, and boulevards and administers community centers, public golf courses, and other athletic and cultural facilities. Seattle's first park was established in 1884 after David Denny donated land to the City for that purpose. At that time, a three-member park committee, with limited authority, was created to manage the nascent park system. A Board of Parks Commissioners was established in 1890 with control over all public parks and authority to appoint a Parks Superintendent. In 1896, the City Charter created the position of Superintendent of Streets, Sewers and Parks. The Parks Department became a separate entity in 1904. In 1926, a City Charter Amendment abolished the position of Superintendent, distributing its responsibilities between the Head Gardener and the Landscape Architect. A 1948 City Charter amendment required the Board of Park Commissioners to appoint a park superintendent to administer the department. In 1967, another City Charter Amendment reconstituted the Board as an advisory body to the Mayor and City Council, changed the agency name to Department of Parks and Recreation, and placed fiscal and operational administration under the superintendent.

In 1968 Seattle voters approved 7 out of 12 bond issues collectively called the Forward Thrust Bond issue. The approved initiative, Proposition 6, included $118 million for new parks and an aquarium. Along with federal grants and the Seattle Model City Program, the Forward Thrust Bond supported the largest expansion of the Park system in Seattle history. These programs funded more than 70 new parks and park facilities.

In 1990 the Open Space and Trails Program began with $41.8 million from the 1989 King County Open Space and Trails Bond with the mission to preserve open spaces and develop additional miles of multi-use trails. The Open Space program goal was to increase the useable undeveloped environment in the city by acquiring land through purchase, transfer, or donation to preserve as greenbelts, natural areas, recreation areas, and trails.

In 1999, Seattle voters approved a renewal of the 1991 Community Centers and Seattle Center Levy, renewing Seattle Parks and Recreation’s commitment to renovate and expand old facilities and provide new centers.