By Aaron Allen, The Seattle Medium
Dr. Blanche Lavizzo, Sam Smith, Powell Barnett, Flo Ware, Homer Harris, Edwin T. Pratt, Walt Hundley, Medgar Evers, John C. Little, Sr., William Grose, Prentis I. Frazier, Alvin Larkins, and Alice Ball—these individuals have two things in common. They are all African Americans who played pivotal roles in shaping Seattle’s Black history, and they each have a park named in their honor.
Many may not know it, but Seattle’s Black history is deeply woven into the city’s landscape, with the legacies of trailblazing African American leaders honored through parks and public spaces. These parks are more than just recreational areas; they serve as living memorials to the contributions of Black Seattleites who shaped the city’s social, political, and cultural fabric.
“Seattle Parks and Recreation is proud to honor the legacy of African American leaders through our city’s parks and facilities,” says AP Diaz, superintendent of Seattle Parks and Recreation. “February is Black History Month, a time to reflect on and celebrate the achievements and contributions of local heroes and heroines who shaped Seattle’s history and community.”
Black History Month is a time to recognize not only national historical figures but also local African American leaders who have had a lasting impact on Seattle. Visiting one of the many parks and facilities named in their honor provides an opportunity to learn about their legacies and the contributions they made to the city.
Naming places and spaces is a powerful act—it helps define group identity and cultural heritage. While names can be used for empowerment, they have also historically been used as a tool of oppression to impose social inferiority. In this case, naming these parks serves to reclaim and redefine both individual and collective identity, ensuring that the contributions of these leaders are remembered and celebrated.
For African Americans, the significance of “naming” has long been intertwined with the fight for civil rights and racial equality. Since the first Africans arrived on the shores of what would become the United States, debates over how Black Americans are named or edifices are honored and represented have shaped their struggle for recognition and justice.
“Within the context of naming, definition, interpretation, and conceptualization have been integral components of the African American struggle for liberation, freedom, and progress in the United States,” said Anthony Neal, author of The Naming. “Nevertheless, these components do not necessarily mirror reality. There are times when they impose meaning on a particular reality. The cultural and political status of African Americans has often been subject to the whims of definition, interpretation, and conceptualization.”
Seattle has 13 parks named after Black leaders, each serving as a permanent tribute to their contributions. These parks not only provide recreational spaces but also preserve the legacies of those who shaped Seattle’s history.
Dr. Blanche Lavizzo Park, located between S. Jackson St. and E. Yesler Way, is an urban oasis filled with poplar and oak trees. Named after Washington’s first African American woman pediatrician, the park features picnic tables, a shelter house, and a small amphitheater used for concerts and plays.
Sam Smith Park, renamed in 1998, sits atop the I-90 lid and honors Seattle’s first African American City Councilmember. With a political career spanning 34 years, Smith served five terms in the Washington State Legislature and five terms on the Seattle City Council. The park includes a children’s play area, picnic tables, tennis courts, and a sculpture by Seattle artist Gerard Tsutakawa, dedicated to children lost to gun violence.
Powell Barnett Park, located on 4.4 acres between East Alder and East Jefferson streets, was named in 1969 after civil rights activist and community leader Powell Barnett. Known for his dedication to improving race relations, Barnett worked tirelessly to create a more inclusive Seattle.
Flo Ware Park honors Flo Ware, a passionate community activist who fought for better healthcare and education for low-income and elderly communities. The park features a vibrant children’s play area.
Homer Harris Park, established in 2005, pays tribute to Dr. Homer E. Harris, an accomplished athlete and respected dermatologist. A Garfield High School graduate from the 1930s, Harris made a lasting impact in medicine and athletics.
Pratt Park commemorates Edwin T. Pratt, founder of the Central Area Motivation Program and the Seattle Opportunities Industrialization Center, both of which played a major role in empowering Black Seattleites.
Walt Hundley Playfield is home to baseball fields, tennis courts, and soccer fields. The park is named after Walter R. Hundley, who became Seattle Parks’ first African American superintendent and was instrumental in acquiring High Point Playfield, which now bears his name.
Judge Charles M. Stokes Overlook, located in the I-90 lid, honors Charles Moorehouse Stokes, who was the first Black legislator from King County before becoming the first Black judge on the King County District Court in 1968.
Medgar Evers Pool, an indoor facility on 23rd Ave. next to Garfield Community Center, is named after civil rights leader Medgar Evers. His assassination in 1963 by a white supremacist became a turning point in the fight for the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
John C. Little, Sr. Park, in the New Holly neighborhood, features picnic shelters, a plaza, a children’s play area, and a community garden. Little co-founded the Central Area Youth Association in the 1960s and worked to provide job training, youth athletic leagues, and conservation programs for urban youth.
William Grose Park, at 30th Ave. E and Howell St., honors William Grose (1835–1898), an African American pioneer who, in 1882, purchased 12 acres from Henry Yesler, laying the foundation for Seattle’s Central District.
Prentis I. Frazier Park, located at 401 24th Ave. E, sits behind the historic home of Prentis Frazier, a businessman dedicated to Black entrepreneurship. In 1925, he founded the Seattle Enterprise newspaper and opened a movie theater on E. Madison St.
Alvin Larkins Park, located at E. Pike St. and 34th Ave. E, is a beloved neighborhood gathering space in Madrona. Larkins was a talented musician and teacher who graduated from the University of Washington before becoming a renowned music instructor in Seattle Public Schools.
Alice Ball Park, which opened in June 2019 in the Greenwood neighborhood, is named after Alice Ball, a groundbreaking chemist who developed an injectable oil extract that became the most effective treatment for leprosy in the early 1900s.
The naming of these parks is a powerful tribute to Black leadership and resilience. These spaces stand as reminders of courage, vision, and progress, ensuring that the history of Black Seattleites is not only preserved but celebrated.
“Parks like Dr. Blanche Lavizzo Park, Powell Barnett Park, and William Grose Park serve as living reminders of the courage and dedication of those who worked tirelessly to improve our city for future generations,” Diaz. “This Black History Month, visit a park, learn its story, and celebrate how these places inspire strength, unity, and pride.”
