WaSMAR5804_14 Guide to the Seattle Parks and Recreation Department Model City Project Records 1968-1974 Seattle Parks and Recreation Department Model City Project Records Finding aid prepared by Janet Ness Funding for processing this record series was provided through a grant from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission. Seattle Municipal Archives © 2011
PO Box 94728 600 Fourth Avenue, Floor 3 Seattle, WA 98124-4728 Phone: 206/233-7807 Email: archives@seattle.gov http://www.seattle.gov/cityarchives
Finding aid encoded by Janet Ness 2011 Finding aid written in English. Finding aid based on DACS ( Describing Archives: A Content Standard). Seattle Municipal Archives
PO Box 94728 600 Fourth Avenue, Floor 3 Seattle, WA 98124-4728 Phone: 206/233-7807 Email: archives@seattle.gov http://www.seattle.gov/cityarchives
5804-14 Seattle (Wash.). Dept. of Parks and Recreation Seattle Parks and Recreation Department Model City Project Records 1968-1974 1.4 cubic feet 4 boxes Records of Parks activities funded by Model City contracts. Collection materials are in English Historical Note

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.

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.

Records are open to the public.

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

This collection is indexed under the following headings in the online catalog. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons, or places should search the catalog using these headings.

Seattle Model City Program Seattle (Wash.). Dept. of Parks and Recreation Seattle (Wash.) City planning--Washington (State)--Seattle Parks--Washington (State)--Seattle Playgrounds--Washington (State)--Seattle Recreation--Washington (State)--Seattle Seattle Parks and Playgrounds

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

5804-14 Seattle Parks and Recreation Department Model City Project Records 1968-1974 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