- Jefferson Park (Seattle)
Jefferson Park is a 52.4 acre (212,055 m²)
public park andgolf course on top of Beacon Hill inSeattle ,Washington , bounded on the east by 24th Avenue S. and 24th Place S., on the west by 15th Avenue S., on the north by S. Spokane Street, and on the south by Cheasty Boulevard S.History
The park site was originally planned by the State of Washington for state university use. In 1892, it was the site of a "pesthouse," or isolation hospital. In 1898, the land was sold to the city of Seattle, with plans to build a reservoir and a cemetery. In 1908, the park was named for
Thomas Jefferson .The
Olmsted Brothers included the park in their comprehensive plan for Seattle parks, and designed the 18 holegolf course which opened in 1915.During
World War II , Jefferson Park contained anti-aircraft batteries, and was requisitioned by the U.S. Army for aG.I. recreation center, with recreation facilities, a gym, and tent housing for soldiers and visiting family.In the post war years, the park returned to normal; the Army structures were mostly removed, though a new Veterans' Administration hospital was built on the site of the original 9-hole golf course. (A replacement 9-hole course was built elsewhere in the park.) A
lawn bowling green and playgrounds were also constructed at this time.The park today
The golf course, community center, playfields, and lawn bowling green continue to be heavily used. Jefferson Park received $8 million from the recent ProParks funding levy, allowing redevelopment and remodeling to begin. Projects in this park revitalization effort include new walking paths, gardens, and a new gymnasium. Further plans include the removal of one reservoir, and the lidding of the other to provide more open park space.
References
* [http://www.historylink.org/essays/output.cfm?file_id=3015 HistoryLink Essay: Jefferson Park Municipal Golf Course (Seattle)]
* [http://www.ci.seattle.wa.us/parks/parkspaces/jefferso.htm Seattle Parks and Recreation: Jefferson Park] (official City page)External links
* [http://www.cityofseattle.net/commnty/Beacon/groups/jpa/ Jefferson Park Alliance] , a group of neighborhood advocates for the park
* [http://www.seattle.gov/parks/centers/jeffercc.htm Jefferson Park Community Center]
* [http://www.cityofseattle.net/commnty/Beacon/groups/lawnbowl/ Jefferson Park Lawn Bowling Club]
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