Seattle Park Employee Association Records, 1977-1983

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Seattle (Wash.). Dept. of Parks and Recreation
Title
Seattle Park Employee Association Records
Dates
1977-1983 (inclusive)
Quantity
.4 cubic foot, (1 box)
Collection Number
5802-16
Summary
Records of an employees association which sponsored social and recreational events.
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

Minutes, correspondence, event files, membership information, photographs and slides documenting an organization of Parks Department employees and its activities. The Park Employee Association was a social organization that sponsored outings, sports teams, and a holiday party.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Preferred Citation

[Item and date],Seattle Park Employee Association Records, Record Series 5802-16. 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.

5802-16:  Park Employee Association Records, 1977-1983Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
1/1
Ballots
1980-1982
1/2
By Laws
undated
1/3
PEA Correspondence
1977-1982
1/4
Events
1981-1982
1/5
Forms
undated
1/6
Function Book - Holiday Party
1981-1983
1/7
Membership Applications
1982-1983
1/8
Membership List
1981
1/9
Minutes
1977-1979
1/10
Minutes
1980-1982
1/11
Sonics Ticket Sales
undated
1/12
Slides - Events
undated
1/13
Photographs - Employee Picnic and Other Events
undated
1/14
Photographs - Holiday Party
1982

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Public Employees

Corporate Names

  • Seattle (Wash.). Dept. of Parks and Recreation

Geographical Names

  • Seattle (Wash.)

Form or Genre Terms

  • Photographs
  • Slides