Jefferson Park Walking Tour

John Charles Olmsted visited the large tract of city-owned land on Beacon Hill (now Jefferson Park) in 1903 when he toured the city to develop his city-wide system of parks and boulevards. In the 1903 report, Olmsted recommended ways the city could develop the eastern section into ball fields, walkways, and pleasure drives.

Originally purchased by the city as a cemetery and reservoir site (fed by the water mains on the “pipeline road,” later Beacon Avenue), the land parcels were acquired by the Parks Department through a series of transactions beginning in 1909.

In 1912, Olmsted developed a preliminary plan that included a golf course east of Beacon Avenue, ballfields, a playground, a running track, and a shelter on the west side. Beacon Avenue also became part of the boulevard system, connecting to Cheasty Boulevard.

Though the Olmsted Brothers’ plan would not be implemented in its entirety, it would inform the park's redevelopment, which began in 2001.

Tour details:

• This loop tour is approximately 1.5 miles long.
• Meet at Jefferson Park Community Center, 3801 Beacon Ave S, Seattle, WA 98108, promptly at 10 a.m.
• Bus 36 and 48 and the 1-line light rail will get you near Jefferson Park.
• Free parking is available on the east side of the community center.

Please email [email protected] if you have any questions.

Host or Publisher Friends of Seattle's Olmsted Parks