Seward Park Environmental & Audubon Center
Using Seward Park as the primary classroom, the Center will inspire exploration, discovery, and stewardship of the natural world through enhanced learning and maturing experiences that promote healthy, sustainable communities.
Description:
Seward Park Environmental and Audubon Center is a collaborative effort between Audubon Washington and Seattle Parks and Recreation, and is a part of the national Audubon vision to establish neighborhood nature education centers in urban areas of high ethnic diversity.
Located on a 277-acre peninsula in southeast Seattle, Seward Park features the largest remaining stand of old-growth forest in the city, two active bald eagle nests, and a wide array of plants and animals. Surrounded on three sides by Lake Washington, it is truly a natural oasis in the heart of Seattle and is the perfect place to teach future generations about the importance of the natural world.
The Center provides programs for school, youth, and community audiences, and also hosts arts in the environment and special events. The Center includes exhibits, an extensive Natural History lending library, a laboratory, and a small gift shop and welcome center. Join us on Super Saturdays for free, fun, public events!
History:
In January 2000, National Audubon Society President John Flicker and the Senior Vice President of the Centers and Education Program, Tamar Chotzen, visited Seattle to help select a site for Washington’s flagship Audubon Center. Seward Park-with its remarkable natural assets and ideal location for achieving the organization’s goal of reaching out to communities underserved by environmental education-was the clear choice, and Audubon Washington initiated a proposal to the city.
In November 2000, city residents voted in support of a parks levy that earmarked $618,000 for the renovation of the Annex and Hatchery buildings at Seward Park. Following this in June 2003, the Seattle City Council unanimously passed an ordinance supporting a partnership between the City and Audubon Washington. The two parties signed a Development Agreement and a 20-year Use and Occupancy Agreement three months later.
In July 2003, as part of the centennial celebration of the Olmsted park plan for the city, the Seattle Landmarks Board designated the Annex, built in 1927, a historic landmark building. Seward Park is part of the Olmsted legacy and landscape heritage stemming from a formal plan compiled by John Charles Olmsted and adopted by the Seattle City Council in 1903.
In the final negotiations for the project, Audubon accepted responsibility for the estimated $2 million in planning, design, and renovation costs for the Annex building, while Seattle Parks accepted responsibility to remove the former fish hatchery ponds and renovate its buildings.
Pre-renovation design work for the Audubon Center began in September 2004 with a public meeting. In an effort to engage the public and ensure an inviting and welcoming design, three interactive exercises were facilitated in the local community, which included brainstorming and small group breakout sessions. Additional program feedback, received from community surveys and interviews, formed the foundation for the building program drafted by Mithūn Architects.
Mithūn and Audubon Washington’s pro-bono owner’s representative from Boeing worked with Audubon and Seattle Parks staff to begin schematic design in March 2005. The design was completed in February 2006 and was submitted to the City of Seattle for construction permitting. Upon adoption of this business plan and approval for construction by the National Audubon Society Board of Directors in Fall 2006, construction could begin.
Renovation on the Tudor-style house at the entrance to Seward Park was completed in April 2008. The building re-opened as an outdoor nature education center and programming at the Center and in the park includes school, youth, community, arts in the environment, and special events. The Center also includes exhibits, an extensive library, a laboratory, and a small gift shop.
Contact people:
Address:
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5902 Lake Washington Blvd S.Seattle, WA 98118 (See a map) |
Web Site: http://sewardpark.audubon.org
Directions:
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Directions From I-5 North or South: Take the I-90 East/Rainier Exit. Head south on Rainier to Genesee. Turn east on Genesee to Lake Washington Blvd. South. Take Lake Washington Blvd S. south to Seward Park. The Center is located at. . . (more)
Nearest Bus Stop: 39, 3 minute walk |
Miscellaneous Information
| Liability |
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No
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| Does your organization welcome court-ordered community service volunteers? |
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No
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| Does your organization have volunteer positions for youth 12-18? |
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Yes
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| Last updated on September 17, 2009 |
