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Project Summary our Case Statement and Funding Request
● Promote restoration of aquatic life by reconnecting the creek to Puget Sound/Salish Sea along with buffer plantings for stream health.
● Act as an effective interface with the community and other partners to facilitate development of a Master Plan and phased implementation through construction contracts.
Long-Term Vision | Endowment Campaign | Private-Public
Reconnect Schmitz Park Creek to Puget Sound
Funding and Endowment
● Facilitate funding proposals and programs for implementation by city, county, tribes and other interested partners of public information campaigns and education, detailed planning and study, with the goal of creating a public-private partnership to restore and protect Schmitz Preserve.
Protecting Schmitz Preserve Park
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.
About Our Community Restoration Project
Our Schmitz Park Creek Restore Message
Reconnect fragmented urban landscapes by reestablishing ecological and cultural connections, focusing on the restoration of Schmitz Park's historic creek corridor to Alki Beach.
UW Grad Students Pick-Up Project
Through iterative design and collaboration with local community group Schmitz Park Creek Restore, students develop designs that reveal the deep history and identity of the landscape, creating a continuous, unified wild corridor in West Seattle.
Our Team is Growing
The UW Masters students are ultimately working towards a community open house to be held at the Alki Bathhouse in West Seattle on December 6th.