Written By: Todd Burley
Seattle Parks and Recreation is excited to announce that Seward Park has received the international Green Flag Award for the third year in a row. This award recognizes the park’s excellence with several key elements including A Welcoming Place; Healthy, Safe, and Secure; Well-Maintained and Clean; Environmental Management; Biodiversity, Landscape, and Heritage; Community Involvement; Marketing and Communication; and Management.
“Our dedicated staff and community partners work every day to care for this iconic park and ensure its forest, trails and amenities are ready for the tens of thousands of people who visit each year. This award recognizes their hard work and Seward Park’s enduring role as a place for people to gather, recreate and connect with nature,” stated Michele Finnegan, Interim Superintendent.
This summer a team of third-party judges toured Seward Park to conduct an assessment based on the above Green Flag Award criteria. Along with opportunities for improvement, they shared that “Seward Park is a fantastic public park and a real asset for the City of Seattle. The quality of horticultural maintenance, promotion of biodiversity, attention to restoration, and management of the natural and historical features is outstanding.” This recognition is due in large part to the amazing staff, including Gail Herring who received the Green Flag Award Employee of the Year Award this year.
Seward Park’s many amenities continue to draw thousands of visitors every year. From the swim beach, tennis courts, and perimeter pathways, recreational opportunities abound. The community gathers for picnics, fun runs, and cultural events. Our community partners at the Seward Park Audubon Center and Seward Park Clay Studio activate the park with many programs while Forest Stewards and the Friends of Seward Park continue to improve the ecosystem and experiences at the park.
Seattle is the only city in the United States to receive the Green Flag Award this year, and along with Calgary only one of two in North America. The rigorous process includes both document reviews of policies and procedures along with on-the-ground management and operations. If you’ve been to Seward Park, we hope you experience the same level of excellence noted by the judges.
The best way to experience this amazing park, however, is to go there! Here are some ways you can get involved at Seward Park:
- Explore programs at the Seward Park Audubon Center
- See what’s happening at the Seward Park Clay Studio
- Join other supporters of the park with the Friends of Seward Park
- Help restore the urban forest at Seward Park with the Green Seattle Partnership