Denny Park (Seattle) facts for kids
Denny Park is a well-known park in Seattle. You can find it in the South Lake Union neighborhood. The park is surrounded by John Street, Denny Way, Dexter Avenue N., and 9th Avenue N. It's a green space right in the middle of the city.
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The Story of Denny Park
Denny Park holds a special place in Seattle's history. It is the oldest park in the city!
From Cemetery to Park
The land for Denny Park was given to Seattle in 1861 by a pioneer named David Denny. He was part of the famous Denny Party, who were among the first settlers in Seattle. At first, this land was used as the Seattle Cemetery.
But in 1883, the graves were moved. The area was then changed into a park, becoming Seattle's very first one. By 1904, many homes had been built around the park. The park itself was improved with pretty flower beds, swings, and places to play. Children loved using the park from the very beginning.
Changing the Landscape: The Regrades
Originally, Denny Park sat on the side of a hill called Denny Hill. Between 1900 and 1931, Seattle underwent huge changes. Workers started massive projects to flatten parts of the city. This was known as "regrading."
One of these projects, called Denny Regrade No. 1, happened around 1910. It lowered the land south and west of the park by about 60 feet (18 meters). Some of Seattle's early settlers wanted the park to stay exactly as it was. However, this made it hard to reach the park by car from downtown because of the steep drop.
Later, around 1930, during Denny Regrade No. 2, the park itself was flattened. It was then replanted with a formal design. The old Denny School, which was near the park, was taken down during this regrade. Its cupola (a small dome-like structure) was saved and placed in the park as a historical marker.
A Building in the Park
In 1948, a building for the Parks and Recreation department was built inside the park. The Denny family strongly disagreed with this decision. For some years, the lower part of the building was used by the Washington Society for Crippled Children. By 1964, the Parks Department used the entire building for its staff.
Denny Park Today
Today, Denny Park is getting a big makeover! The first part of the renovation, which included a new play area and better lighting, opened in May 2009. Future plans include a new water feature in the center and a special area to highlight Seattle's early history. This will join the existing statue of Mark A. Matthews.
A group of park supporters called "Friends of Denny Park" has worked hard to make the park safe and lively. They are working with city departments to make the park better for families, children, and everyone in the fast-growing neighborhoods of South Lake Union and Denny Triangle.
