Content Description

The records of the Facilities Maintenance Division date primarily from 1950 to 1987; one set of records, dealing with Matthews Beach, dates from 1928 to 1950. The records measure 59 cubic feet. The collection, arranged alphabetically by park or project, documents changes and improvements in Seattle Parks as well as some new parks. The activities were funded through Forward Thrust, Model City Program, and other agencies, as well as with Parks Department monies. The records document the planning, design, and construction processes. The records of the project coordinator for the specific project are included in this collection, and often those of other Parks Department employees appear in the collection as well. Project coordinators included Buddy Brown, Ernie Ferrero, Jim Jessel, and John Vibber.

The record series contains correspondence, contracts and agreements, copies of related legislation, reports, maps, drawings, newspaper clippings, and some photographs. In some cases, copies of deeds are included. The collection provides good documentation of neighborhood character because community input played a large part in the process of improving parks or developing new parks. The relationship between the Parks Department and the various contractors is also very well-documented. Meeting minutes for various projects are included, often documenting the specific project through its various stages. When more than one department or entities outside of the City are involved, as was the case in the construction of the Aquarium or the Freeway Park, for example, the interdepartmental relationships are well-documented through memorandum, reports and contracts. Costs of each project are also well-documented.

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 Louisa 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. Over six cubic feet of material related to 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 included in the records. The records include correspondence with Bernie Whitebear and documentation of various court proceedings with Margaret Coughlin.

Also well-documented are the Thornton Creek area, especially the environmental studies done surrounding the idea of an urban park and trail. There is good documentation of the planning efforts and studies relating to the central waterfront area as well, including explorations of a marina and convention center. 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 folders under “Small Parks and Recreation Areas,” which contain some information on mini-parks. There are a few park ideas that were explored, but never came to fruition, such as South Lake Union Park.