Seattle Parks Foundation

Meet Hazel Bhang Barnett, one of our 100+ Evergreen Team members who give to community-led projects in their neighborhoods and our shared public spaces every month. 💚

Dedicated monthly gifts from community members like Hazel sustain our partners’ work year-round and allow Seattle Parks Foundation’s (SPF) network of collaborators to grow, further deepening our impact in the region. Hazel has been supporting SPF for over two years, and we’re grateful for her commitment to making our parks accessible to everyone!

Why Hazel gives:

“I support Seattle Parks Foundation as it partners with residents, donors, civic organizations, and the city to exponentially augment the investment for our beautiful public parks. I have lots of favorite park[s]. But I have to say Myrtle Edwards Park is my latest favorite.”

Thank you for your generosity, Hazel!

Feeling inspired? Learn more about the Evergreen Team, why they give, and how to join the movement: https://www.seattleparksfoundation.org/donate/ways-to-give/evergreen-team/

With 99% of Seattle residents living within 10-minutes—car-free—of a public park, the city’s park system is an internationally praised and highly ranked treasure.

While impressive, those 10-minute commutes and the parks they lead residents to widely vary by neighborhood and don’t fully capture the unique challenges park-goers face that may make their local park inaccessible to them. From unequal amounts of green space to crumbling amenities, we must consider what truly makes a park accessible. And as more people continue to move to Seattle, its public green spaces must be resourced and maintained to accommodate a growing population.

Seattle’s Comprehensive Plan can ensure equitable green space and park access alongside housing growth in the coming years. Read what suggestions our President and CEO Rebecca Bear and Duwamish River Community Coalition Executive Director Paulina Lopez-Peters have for City leaders as they revisit the Comprehensive Plan: https://www.theurbanist.org/op-ed-seattle-needs-more-than-a-10-minute-walk-or-roll-to-a-park/

📸: Doug Trumm

The Downtown Community Council (DCC) is turning two!

Join our partner for a fun-filled evening enjoying the best of what Downtown Seattle has to offer at their Birthday Bash on Tuesday, September 29 from 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm. Reserve a spot and claim your ticket (21+ only): https://www.seattleparksfoundation.org/event/downtown-community-council-birthday-bash/

📸: DCC

Show your appreciation for the volunteers and groups making a difference in our community by nominating them for the 2026 Denny Awards! 💚

Seattle Parks and Recreation has proudly hosted the Denny Awards for more than 25 years, celebrating those who dedicate their time to our parks and recreation spaces across the city. This year’s ceremony is on Wednesday, December 2 from 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm at the Museum of History & Industry.

Nominations close on Monday, October 19. Learn more about eligibility requirements and make a submission: https://bit.ly/DennyAwardNominations.

Save the date! Join our partner Wakulima USA for their Inaugural Mavuno Fundraiser at Canter-Berry Farms on Saturday, October 3 at 12pm. 🚜🍂

A grant from the King County Conservation Futures program helped Wakulima acquire Canter-Berry Farms in Auburn late last year, and August marked the end of their first blueberry u-pick season. The 23-acre farm is Wakulima’s first and only plot of farmland fully under their ownership, a major achievement for the organization.

Celebrate Wakulima’s recent wins and support their work in the community at next month’s Mavuno Fundraiser, learn more: https://www.seattleparksfoundation.org/event/wakulima-usa-inaugural-mavuno-fundraiser/

📸: Wakulima USA

✨ We’re hiring a Controller! ✨

This person will lead Seattle Parks Foundation’s Finance team, managing the organization’s accounting and financial functions. As a fiscal sponsor with hundreds of funds to manage, the Controller will ensure accurate financial reporting, compliance with GAAP and IRS regulations, and effective internal controls. This role is also responsible for translating financial data into actionable insights for the board, executive team, and program leaders, supporting operational and strategic decision-making, and overseeing HR benefits and payroll systems. This is a full-time position.

For best consideration, apply by Monday, September 28, 2026. Position open until filled. Visit our website for a full job description and details on how to apply: https://www.seattleparksfoundation.org/job-opportunities.

Volunteer and celebrate a significant day that helped make the Burke-Gilman Trail a reality: the Hike-In of 1971!

55 years ago, on September 12, 1971, 2,000 community members participated in a “Hike-In” organized by Merrill Hille and the Burke-Gilman Trail Park Committee to advocate for the public bike and pedestrian path we use today. Hundreds of people marched along the tracks, converging at Matthews Beach Park, where elected officials spoke to an estimated 2,000 attendees, marking a turning point in the creation of the trail.

Our partner Fix the Burke-Gilman is commemorating the historic day next weekend, on Saturday, September 12 from 9:00 am – 3:00 pm at Matthews Beach Park, and they’re seeking additional support from volunteers!

Register to volunteer and learn more about the celebration: https://www.seattleparksfoundation.org/event/burke-gilman-55th-anniversary-celebration/.

📸: Fix the Burke-Gilman

Three cheers for our 2026 Pop-Up Concerts in the Park! 🎶☀️

We brought six free shows to four parks across the city this summer—and you brought the fun. Thank you for joining us and spending time in your beautiful parks while supporting local artists. Summer in Seattle has been unusually busy this year, and we’re deeply moved by those who included Pop-Up Concerts in the Park in their plans. 💚

An event series like Pop-Up Concerts in the Park is only possible because of our community and our generous sponsors. Special shoutout to The Residency for a second year of partnership and putting together an excellent lineup of talented opening acts.

Our Pop-Up Concerts in the Park series was sponsored by Amazon and Seattle Parks & Recreation.

Relive the last month of concerts with a recap on our blog: https://www.seattleparksfoundation.org/august-2026-pop-up-concerts-in-the-park-recap/

Lucia Flores-Wiseman graced us with an incredible performance at Magnuson Park Amphitheater last night! 🎹🎶

We’re beyond thankful for all those who came early to appreciate the lively opening set from The Residency’s Samweli. Join us for our last Pop-Up Concert in the Park of the summer next Wednesday, August 26 at Seward Park Amphitheater. Next up: Cytrus! 👀

Learn more about Pop-Up Concerts in the Park: bit.ly/PopUpConcertsInThePark