Powell Barnett Park Re-Opens

w/picCaption: Pictured above are family members of Powell S. Barnett at the Re-Opening ceremony for the Park on May 19. After a much needed makeover, Powell Barnett Park has been re-opened to the public. The first phase of the renovation project for Powell Barnett Park — named in honor of long-time civic activist Powell S. Barnett, whose family first came to the then Washington Territory in 1888 — which consisted of installing a new playground equipment area for children, a new basketball court, renovating the restrooms, widening and resurfacing the pathways, and a new and improved irrigation system was completed just prior to the re-opening ceremony held on May 19. The site was originally used as an Army base during World War I, and was abandoned after the war and used as a playground by neighborhood kids to play basketball, football, baseball, and other activities. It was later chosen by the City Planning Commission as the site of East Junior High School, but those plans were later abandoned and it was then developed by Garfield High School as a running track. During the 1950’s, the local community organized a Mardi Gras celebration to coincide with Seattle’s Seafair activities at the park that included a big parade, a circus, and entertainment. The track was eventually abandoned by Garfield in 1962 and the property was sold to the Parks Department in 1966. In 1967, the site was then developed into a playground by the Central Area Motivation Program based upon a design by landscape architect William Talley. Based on the recommendation of the Leschi Improvement Council, and the students of Leschi Elementary School, the playground was named in honor of the Council’s organizer and first president, Powell S. Barnett. Mr. Barnett moved to Seattle in 1906 and married Katherine Conna of the pioneering Conna family of Tacoma. The Barnett’s had eight children and over the years Mr. Barnett worked very hard to help improve his community. His many accomplishment and contributions include: being a gold card member of the NAACP, helping to establish the East Madison YMCA, he helped bring little league baseball to Seattle, and assisted Japanese citizens in relocating after World War. He was also the founding president of the Leschi Improvement Council, the founder/manager of the Royal Colored Giants baseball team, and the founder of the Pacific Northwest Baseball Umpires Association, The second phase of the renovation, which includes a new entry way on the north side of the field and a barbecue memorial area honoring Mr. Barnett, will begin later this summer.