Seattle green spaces ★★★★★

Seattle is becoming smaller and larger all at once. In the last decade, not only has the population increased substantially—making Seattle the fastest growing US city of the decade—it also has the country’s smallest average home size at 711 square feet. Personal space in this growing metropolis is at a premium, which means green and open spaces are becoming increasingly important when you need some space away from the spouse, roommate, annoying brothers and sisters, and pesky pets. Luckily, Seattle has been touted as one of the greenest places with its sustainable practices, mother-nature-friendly laws, green living, carbon neutral buildings, conservation efforts, and park spaces.

A Look Back

​There are over 485 parks and natural areasscattered throughout Seattle. Back in 1903, the city council decided to hire the famous architecture firm who is responsible for famous parks all around the country—like New York’s Central Park. The Olmsted family was critical in helping the city design an extensive park plan for Seattle throughout the first half of the 20thcentury. With the creation of Denny Park, Volunteer Park, Discovery Park, Seward Park, and Washington Park, Seattle was granted a prominent role throughout the country as a leader in green spaces. I now get to enjoy world-famous parks because of their dreams and hard work.

Personal experience

​I will never forget my first day moving into Seattle. I came driving across 99 through the Midwest only to find my car broken halfway through my journey. I was flying down the highway at an impressive 45 miles an hour. (It was the slowest I could go on the mountain highway and the fastest my car could go without overheating too much.) After dropping my car off at a downtown mechanic, I found myself walking the streets of Seattle for the first time as a self-proclaimed Seattleite. I was tired and frustrated. I was hungry and bored. I wanted just a bit of relief from the previous 3 days of car-hell. As I kept walking, I discovered a respite to my problems. In the middle of a beautiful, summer Seattle day, I arrived at Myrtle Edward’s Parkon the northern most part of the waterfront. Myrtle Edward’s park wasn’t like anything else I had seen before. It had beautiful sweeping views of the Olympic Mountains and Elliott Bay. As I sat on the steps, I noticed people jogging without a care in the world. I saw bicyclists riding to their hearts content. I peeped seagulls hovering over the water. After a hard journey out West, I was instantly catapulted to a state of serenity.

Power of parks

​Serenity is the power of parks! In my distress, this park significantly adjusted my mood—from panic to peaceful. The problems of a broken-down car melted away. By sitting down in the park, instead of focusing on my problems, I was daydreaming about my new life in Seattle.
 
Parks help you relax. Parks let your rediscover nature. Parks give you an excuse to be a child again. Park connect people. Parks bring laughter and joy (not to mention the great selfies). Those are the main reasons why Seattle has invested so much into its park system and integrated them throughout the city in such a thoughtful way.

re-Discovering Seattle Spaces

Just like restaurants and other destination places, Seattle’s parks are changing! Not only has the demographic of its users changed, Seattle has invested a substantial amount of money into its green spaces. I hope you’ll come on a journey with me as I re-discover Seattle’s outdoor spaces.
 
What’s happening in many Seattle parks:
https://mynorthwest.com/1483815/sawant-district-park-homelessness-trash/

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