A Walk in the Park: The Legacy of the 1903 Olmsted Plan
In 1903, landscape architect John Charles Olmsted wrote that "Seattle possesses extraordinary landscape advantages in having a great abundance and variety of water views and views of wooded hills and distant mountains and snow-capped peaks. I do not know of any place where the natural advantages for parks are better than here. They can be made very attractive and will be, in time, be one of the things that will make Seattle known all over the world." That same year, city leaders hired John Charles Olmsted and Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr. (the sons of famous landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted) to develop a comprehensive plan for Seattle's park system.
Historic Photo of Green Lake Way, Seattle
The Olmsted Brothers designed a master plan of neighborhood parks linked together by a 20-mile long greenbelt comprised of boulevards and parkways.The parkways are lined with trees and other native plants, while the boulevards are lined with homes (this is still noticeable today). Each neighborhood park reflected the character of that particular neighborhood and provided a slice of nature within an urban lifestyle.
While the greenbelt was the prevailing feature of the master plan, John Charles Olmsted also intended to locate a park or playground within a half mile of every home. He believed that playgrounds were a necessary component to childhood development and for a civilized society.
1909 Olmsted plan for Green Lake Park, Seattle
The 1903 Olmsted Plan (and the 1908 park expansion plan) is the basis for Seattle's modern day park system. Of the 68 parks and 18 boulevards that the Olmsted Brothers designed or recommended, Seattle has built 17 parks and 14 boulevards. The most significant Olmsted designed parks include:
The Olmsted Brothers were also influential in the design of Gas Works Park and Discovery Park.
Seattle-ites today owe a debt of gratitude to the Olmstead Brothers for conceptualizing the foundation of the city's expansive green space network. Are there other cities with similar legacies?
Credits: Images from Paul Dorpat. Data linked to sources.