Volunteer Park (Seattle) facts for kids
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Volunteer Park
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The Statue of William H. Seward in front of the Volunteer Park Conservatory
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| Location | Between E. Prospect and E. Galer Sts., and Federal and 15th Aves. E., Seattle, Washington, U.S. |
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| Area | 48.4 acres (19.6 ha) |
| Built | 1901 |
| Architect | Olmsted Brothers; Bebb & Gould |
| Architectural style | Moderne (art museum) |
| NRHP reference No. | 76001894 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | May 3, 1976 |
Volunteer Park is a large park in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Seattle, Washington. It covers about 48 acres, which is a lot of space for fun and relaxation!
Contents
Park History
How Volunteer Park Got Its Name
The land for Volunteer Park was bought by the city of Seattle in 1876. It cost $2,000, which was a lot of money back then! At first, the land was used as a cemetery. But soon, people realized it would be much better as a park.
The park had a few different names over the years. It was called Lake View Park and then City Park. This caused some confusion. Finally, a local historian named J. Willis Sayre suggested a new name. He wanted to honor the brave volunteers who served in the Spanish-American War. That's how it became "Volunteer Park"!
Designing the Park: The Olmsted Plan
In 1903, Seattle wanted to create a beautiful park system. They asked a famous landscape architect named John Charles Olmsted to help. He was part of the Olmsted Brothers firm, known for designing amazing parks.
Olmsted saw that Volunteer Park was in a great spot. It was high up on a ridge and close to downtown Seattle. He decided it would be the main park in the city's new system.
Olmsted and his team studied the land carefully. They wanted to make the most of its natural beauty. They planned a long path, called a concourse, running north and south through the park. It was lined with chestnut trees. They also used the city's water reservoir, built in 1901, as part of the design.
At the center of the park, where the main paths crossed, Olmsted planned a special area. It included a place for concerts, a covered walkway called a pergola, and pretty flower beds with lily ponds.
Fun for Everyone: Playgrounds and More
The original plan for Volunteer Park in 1904 included a small playground for young children. It had sandboxes, swings, and a wading pool for splashing around. There was even a shelter for parents to relax while their kids played.
Later, in 1909, a playground for older kids was added. It was moved to a different spot after neighbors worried about noise. The park was designed to have big grassy areas, surrounded by trees and plants. These areas were perfect for picnics and games.
Buildings and Art in the Park
Over the years, more features were added to Volunteer Park.
- The Conservatory: In 1912, a beautiful glass building called the conservatory was built. It's like a giant greenhouse filled with amazing plants.
- Music Stages: A bandshell was built in 1915 for outdoor concerts. It was replaced with a new stage in 1971.
- Seattle Asian Art Museum: In 1932, an art museum was built in the park. It was first home to the Seattle Art Museum. Later, it became the Seattle Asian Art Museum, focusing on art from Asia.
Park Features
Volunteer Park has many cool things to see and do!
- The Conservatory: A beautiful glass building filled with plants from all over the world. It's a designated city landmark!
- Amphitheater: An outdoor stage where you can watch performances.
- Water Tower: You can climb to the top of this old water tower for amazing views of the city skyline, including the Space Needle!
- Reservoir: A fenced-off area that holds water for the city.
- Seattle Asian Art Museum: A stunning Art Deco building that houses incredible Asian art. It's also a city landmark.
- Statues and Sculptures:
- A statue of William H. Seward.
- A memorial to Judge Thomas Burke.
- A famous sculpture called Black Sun by Isamu Noguchi. People often call it "The Doughnut"! You can look through its center to see the Space Needle.
- Wading Pool: A fun place to cool off in the summer, open daily from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Gardens: The park is known for its beautiful dahlia garden, especially in season. There are also Koi ponds where fish live during the summer.
- Picnic Areas: Lots of meadows and picnic tables for enjoying a meal outdoors.
Events and Activities
Volunteer Park is a lively place, especially in the summer!
- Free Concerts: You can often catch free music performances outdoors.
- Outdoor Theater: Enjoy plays and other shows under the sky.
- Sports and Games: The park has plenty of space for games like touch football, frisbee, and other field day activities.
- Birthday Parties: It's a popular spot for birthday parties with its picnic tables and open areas.
