Seattle Parks and Recreation Department Model City Project Records, 1968-1974

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Seattle (Wash.). Dept. of Parks and Recreation
Title
Seattle Parks and Recreation Department Model City Project Records
Dates
1968-1974 (inclusive)
Quantity
1.4 cubic feet, (4 boxes)
Collection Number
5804-14
Summary
Records of Parks activities funded by Model City contracts.
Repository
Seattle Municipal Archives
Seattle Municipal Archives
Office of the City Clerk
City of Seattle
PO Box 94728
98124-4728
Seattle, WA
Telephone: 2062337807
Fax: 2063869025
archives@seattle.gov
Access Restrictions

Records are open to the public.

Languages
English
Sponsor
Funding for processing this record series was provided through a grant from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission.

Historical NoteReturn to Top

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 1902 the City hired the Olmsted Brothers, the country's premier landscape architectural firm, to design a parks and boulevards system. Although not all of the plan was implemented, the Olmsted legacy is evident in many of Seattle's parks and boulevards. The City acquired significant amounts of property for park purposes following the turn of the 20th Century, but in 1926 further acquisition was limited by a City Charter amendment that stipulated only money in the Park Fund could be used for that purpose. However, in the 1970s the Forward Thrust Bond issue, along with federal grants and the Seattle Model City Program, supported the largest expansion of the Park system in Seattle history. These programs funded more than 70 new parks and park facilities. The Department manages over 6,000 acres of park land, over two dozen community centers, five municipal golf courses, the Aquarium, and many other recreational and athletic facilities.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

Records concerning the Parks Department’s Model City-funded projects and programs, including park improvements and youth recreation programs. Records include agreements, memoranda, reports, budget information and subject files.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Preferred Citation

[Item and date], Seattle Parks and Recreation Department Model City Project Records , Record Series 5804-14. Box [number], Folder [number]. Seattle Municipal Archives.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection.

5804-14:  Seattle Parks and Recreation Department Model City Project Records , 1968-1974Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
1/1
Seattle Model City Program Correspondence
1972
1/2
Ballard Boys Club (Model Cities Subcontract)
1973
1/3
Gilman Park and Highland Park Shelterhouse Improvements
undated
1/4
Greenwood Boys Club (Model Cities Subcontract)
1972-1973
1/5
Model Cities Meetings
1970-1972
1/6
Meeting Minutes
1972
1/7
Pioneer Square Performing Arts Association (Model Cities Subcontract)
1972-1973
1/8
Rainier Boys Club (Model Cities Subcontract)
1972-1973
1/9
Reach, Inc. (Model Cities Subcontract)
1972
1/10
Red Barn (Model Cities Agreement)
1970-1973
1/11
Red Barn
1974
1/12
Recreational Projects Funded by Seattle Model City Program
1972
1/13
Red Shield Youth Club (Model Cities Subcontract)
1972-1973
1/14
Status Reports
1972
1/15
Wallingford Boys Club (Model Cities Subcontract)
1972
1/16
East Branch - 4th Year
undated
1/17
Financial Records - Seattle Model City Program
1972-1973
1/18
Lowell School Playground
1972
1/19
Memoranda, Dave Buchan
1971-1972
2/1
Parks Development Background
1972
2/2
Parks Development
1972
2/3
Program Information, Seattle Model City Program - Parks
1969-1972
2/4
Recreation Programs
1971-1972
2/5
Recreation Programs
1972
2/6
Yesler Neighborhood Center
1969-1970
2/7
Contracts and Awards
1971-1972
2/8
Memoranda
1972-1973
2/9
Fire Department Properties
1969
2/10
Ravine Studies
1969-1970
2/11
Section Staff Review
1972
2/12
Budget Summary Log
1972
3/1
Seattle Model City Program Project Work Programs
1972
3/2
Implementation of Model Cities Projects
1972
3/3
Seattle Model City Program Quarterly Reports
1973
3/4
Consultants and Contractors
1972
3/5
Seattle Model City Program Project Planning Sheets
1972
3/6
North Recreation Project Monthly Reports
1972
3/7
North Recreation Project Monthly Reports
1973
3/8
North Recreation Project
1972-1973
3/9
North Recreation Budgets and Reports
1972-1973
3/10
Model Cities, Finance, 3rd Year
1972-1973
3/11
North, Southwest and Southeast Task Force Information
1972-1973
3/12
Seattle Model City Program Clippings
1972
3/13
Physical Projects (CIP)
1972
3/14
Recreation Activity Survey
undated
3/15
Telephone Call Reports
1972
3/16
West Seattle Reservoir Park Termination Audit
1974
4/1
Seattle Model City Program - Parks Department Interdepartmental Agreements
1971-1973
4/2
Model Cities Coordinating Committee
1968-1969
4/3
Model Cities Coordinating Committee
1969-1970

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • City planning--Washington (State)--Seattle
  • Parks--Washington (State)--Seattle
  • Playgrounds--Washington (State)--Seattle
  • Recreation--Washington (State)--Seattle

Corporate Names

  • Seattle Model City Program
  • Seattle (Wash.). Dept. of Parks and Recreation

Geographical Names

  • Seattle (Wash.)