The University of Washington’s Master of Landscape Architecture advanced studio has embarked on a visionary partnership with Schmitz Park Creek Restore, a grassroots initiative dedicated to reconnecting Schmitz Park’s ancient forest with the waters of Puget Sound. This partnership challenges students to explore the unique identity of landscapes, fostering designs that celebrate and revive the wild within Seattle’s urban fabric.
Join us at the Alki Bathhouse in West Seattle for a community open house!
- December 6th, from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM come meet the project team and join the discussion
- December 7th, from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM the open house will continue on offering self-guided explorations
Led by Seattle-based landscape architect Paul Peters, a principal at Hood Design Studio and UW lecturer, the studio immerses students in an in-depth exploration of Schmitz Park’s ecological, historical, and cultural narratives. Working in teams, the students aim to develop designs that restore the connection between Schmitz Park’s 53-acre old-growth forest and Alki Beach. Schmitz Park, historically stewarded by the Duwamish Tribe and donated to Seattle Parks in 1908, remains one of the city’s last remaining wild areas, yet its creek disappears underground before it reaches Elliott Bay. The students envision restoring the creek’s natural flow, creating a continuous “wild corridor.”
The UW students’ conceptual designs draw inspiration from Schmitz Park Creek Restore, a citizen led effort in West Seattle, which seeks to restore Schmitz Park’s creek and daylight its natural flow. This vision was introduced to the public in May 2024 at a gathering hosted by photographer Art Wolfe, where members of Seattle’s Duwamish Tribe, Schmitz family representatives, and park restoration advocates came together to support the initiative. The enthusiastic reception led Peters to bring the project to his graduate students, making it the focus of their Autumn 2024 studio titled “Where the Wild Things Are.”
To showcase the students’ work and engage with the community, the UW Studio, Schmitz Park Creek Restore, and Seattle Parks and Recreation will host an open house at the Alki Bathhouse in West Seattle. Join us on December 6th, from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM, for discussions with the project team, or visit on December 7th, 2024, from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM for a self-guided experience. This event will offer the public an opportunity to explore the students’ designs and understand the possibilities for restoring Schmitz Creek’s natural flow.
The Schmitz Park Creek restoration project also plans a public fundraising initiative in 2025 to support Seattle Parks and Seattle Public Utilities in advancing restoration e:orts. Additionally, a significant capital campaign titled “53 for 53” will seek to establish a $53 million endowment, providing one million dollars per acre of Schmitz Park to preserve its wild landscape for future generations.
About
Schmitz Park Creek Restore
For detailed project information, including Schmitz Reserve Park’s history and current restoration efforts, visit SchmitzParkCreek.org. The site o:ers volunteer opportunities through “Ivy League” work parties. Schmitz Reserve Park, a 53-acre ancient forest, is cooperatively managed by Seattle Parks and Recreation, with the City overseeing land, trails, utilities, and plant collections.
Paul Peters Paul Peters, principal at Hood Design Studio, is celebrated for his work linking nature and culture through layered landscape designs. He has led projects like Charleston’s International African American Museum and Oakland Museum of California renovation. Currently, he’s shaping projects at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York and Discovery Place Nature in Charlotte, NC. Beyond his practice, Paul teaches at the University of Washington, with past roles at UC Berkeley and the University of British Columbia.