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Welcome to Schmitz Park Creek Restore!
Mission/Purpose – Bring and be a catalyst for diverse communities coming together to restore and celebrate a surviving indigenous Ancient Forest. In doing so to recognize and enhance the environmental, historic and cultural assets of the Forest and Park with the goal to reconnect its namesake Creek to Puget Sound/Salish Sea and restore aquatic life to the Forest. Facilitate a collaborative effort between these interested parties for concept development, fundraising, volunteer efforts and educational programs. And be a foresightful, resourceful cooperative interface and catalyst with the Duwmamish, Muckelshoot and Salish tribes and with Seattle Parks, Seattle Public Utilities and other public fora and entities.
Schmitz Park Background:
● 53 acres of minimally developed parkland with ancient trees and Native undisturbed Forest.
● Headwater for Schmitz Park Creek
● Ancestral lands of Salish tribes
● Included in the original Olmstead Parks plan for Seattle
The Ivy League is the name of the volunteer group we are creating that will include:
● Weeders who will remove invasive plants, like Ivy, replant native species, and improve trails.
● Rangers who will greet visitors and give educational tours.
Funding - We are actively working on getting designation as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and hope to begin fundraising to endow the Park with a permanent fund to protect it, beginning early in 2026. We will call this Campaign “53 for 53” raising $53 Million to endow the Park: $1 million for each acre of the current Park.
Sign Up For Upcoming Ivy League & Green Seattle Partnership Events
- Click the Link to Register for our Ivy League Events!
- You can search there for all Seattle Park Volunteer Events!
Schmitz Park Creek Restore Getting It Done!
Our Experience
Our team at Schmitz Park Creek Restore working with Green Seattle Partnerships & A Cleaner ALKI
Spring into Our Volunteer Ivy League
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More About Restoring Schmitz Park Creek
Our Project
Our Project
Our Project
The University of Washington’s Master of Landscape Architecture advanced studio has embarked on a visionary partnership with Schmitz Park Creek Restore, a grassroots initiative dedicated to reconnecting Schmitz Park’s ancient forest with the waters of Puget Sound. This partnership challenges students to explore the unique identity of land
The University of Washington’s Master of Landscape Architecture advanced studio has embarked on a visionary partnership with Schmitz Park Creek Restore, a grassroots initiative dedicated to reconnecting Schmitz Park’s ancient forest with the waters of Puget Sound. This partnership challenges students to explore the unique identity of landscapes, fostering designs that celebrate and revive the wild within Seattle’s urban fabric.
Our Goals
Our Project
Our Project
Led by Seattle-based landscape architect Paul Peters, a principal at Hood Design Studio and
UW lecturer, the studio immerses students in an in-depth exploration of Schmitz Park’s
ecological, historical, and cultural narratives. Working in teams, the students aim to develop
designs that restore the connection between Schmitz Park’s 53-acre ol
Led by Seattle-based landscape architect Paul Peters, a principal at Hood Design Studio and
UW lecturer, the studio immerses students in an in-depth exploration of Schmitz Park’s
ecological, historical, and cultural narratives. Working in teams, the students aim to develop
designs that restore the connection between Schmitz Park’s 53-acre old-growth forest and Alki
Beach. Schmitz Park, historically stewarded by the Duwamish Tribe and donated to Seattle
Parks in 1908, remains one of the city’s last remaining wild areas, yet its creek disappears
underground before it reaches Elliott Bay. The students envision restoring the creek’s natural
flow, creating a continuous “wild corridor”.
Our Future
Our Project
Our Future
The UW students’ conceptual designs draw inspiration from Schmitz Park Creek Restore, a
citizen-led effort in West Seattle, which seeks to restore Schmitz Park’s creek and daylight its
natural flow.
The Schmitz Park Creek restoration project also plans a public fundraising initiative in 2025 to
support Seattle Parks and Seattle Public Utiliti
The UW students’ conceptual designs draw inspiration from Schmitz Park Creek Restore, a
citizen-led effort in West Seattle, which seeks to restore Schmitz Park’s creek and daylight its
natural flow.
The Schmitz Park Creek restoration project also plans a public fundraising initiative in 2025 to
support Seattle Parks and Seattle Public Utilities in advancing restoration efforts. Additionally, a
significant capital campaign titled “53 for 53” will seek to establish a $53 million endowment,
providing one million dollars per acre of Schmitz Park to preserve its wild landscape for future
generations.
Schmitz Restore Project
Ivy League & Green Seattle Partnership May 3rd 10-12pm
1 week early in May because of the West Seattle Garage Sale Event.
Getting it all ready for native plant installation!