Volunteer Park Trust is a volunteer and community-led organization founded in 2013 to preserve and enhance our city and national landmark for today and for generations to come. Since then, the Trust has worked tirelessly with our neighbors, donors, and the larger community to improve the landscape through stewardship events, raising funds for important park improvements, and activating the park through events like the Halloween Pet Parade and Holiday in the Park. We just concluded the third annual Summer Series at the Amphitheater, a free six-concert series that highlights the new Amphitheater with diverse music and dance performances, bringing over 13,000 visitors.
Volunteer Park Trust has built on our success in community engagement, planning and fundraising with new capital projects and solutions. In 2024, among other initiatives, we partnered with Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) and the Seattle Conservation Corps(SCC) – a unique program that provides employment to individuals experiencing homelessness – to improve the North-South walking path. The Corps covers its costs by doing work for projects and the Trust was proud to provide funding for this park improvement project while supporting a solution addressing homelessness in our community – more than 80 percent of Corps participants leave with stable housing, and more than 90 percent leave for long-term employment.
We’ve also raised funds for the iron railings around the lily ponds, funded new lighting, replaced the trash and recycling receptacles throughout the park, and in the last year installed a new ADA-accessible water fountain with a pet bowl near the Seattle Asian Art Museum.
As we look to the future, community member participation is vital to keep Volunteer Park the amazing and historical green space we all enjoy. This summer, we received over 800 responses to a recent park improvement survey and will work with SPR to put community recommendations into action – making the park a safe, welcoming space for all.
Only through your support does Volunteer Park Trust accomplish so much to benefit the park. Please consider making a gift today. Your donation will help with park beautification and will support our programs and events. Together, we can make a difference in the future of our park.
