Seward Park, Seattle was awarded the Urban Quiet Park Status on Feb, 2024
Seward Park has been awarded the prestigious designation of Urban Quiet Park in Feb, 2024 by Quiet Park International (QPI). This recognition is a testament to the park's commitment to providing a serene and peaceful environment within the bustling urban landscape.
Our evaluation team visited the park on several occasions during 2023, recording sounds, measuring noise levels, experiencing the park, and interviewing visitors. The results of these evaluations indicate that Seward Park fulfils our Urban Quiet Park criteria.
Urban Parks are often more prone to noise intrusions n the outskirts, while the more tranquil sections can be found deeper into the park. This is also true for Seward Park, where the so-called Magnificent Forest not only provides amazing nature experiences but also a quiet retreat.
"The Urban Quiet Park status is not only an acknowledgment of the natural beauty and tranquility that Seward Park offers but a recognition that––with dedicated efforts by the City of Seattle, park management, staff and the local community––it is possible to create and preserve a space that promotes relaxation and provides a respite from the noise and stress of city life," said Ulf Bohman, Executive Director of Urban Quiet Parks, QPI.
Photo credit: Liz Lehmans
This designation reflects Seward Park's alignment with the principles of sustainable urban development and the importance of preserving green spaces for the well-being of the community. It also highlights the park's role in fostering a connection between urban dwellers and nature, contributing to a healthier and more balanced urban environment.
We commend Seward Park for its commitment to maintaining and enhancing the qualities that have earned it the Urban Quiet Park status. We believe that this recognition will further encourage residents and visitors to appreciate and enjoy the tranquility and natural beauty that Seward Park has to offer.
Quiet Park International has thus far awarded 10 Urban Quiet Parks around the world, and Seward Park is the second Urban Park awarded in the United States.
About Seward Park
Set on a forested peninsula that juts into Lake Washington, Seward Park is a stunning 300-acre retreat in southeast Seattle that brings together natural wonder, quiet reflection, and vibrant community life. Its diverse spaces and activities include a 2.4-mile paved loop trail for walking, running, biking, rollerblading, or just soaking in the stunning views of Mount Rainier and the surrounding lake.
The park offers many shoreline beaches for swimming, kayaking, paddle-boarding, and fishing, as well as expansive meadows, a native-plant garden, an amphitheater, a playground, tennis courts, and a pottery studio. It is also home to Seattle’s Audubon Center which provides year-round programs, nature walks, and exhibits.
Urban Parks are often more prone to noise intrusions on the outskirts, while the more tranquil sections can be found deeper in the park. This is true of Seward Park, where at its center lies its crown jewel: 120 acres of old-growth forest known as “The Magnificent Forest”.
Its peaceful environment supports an abundance of wildlife including rabbits, squirrels, owls, raccoons, coyotes, and even bald eagles which are regularly seen and heard in the canopy. Here, visitors will find the largest stand of old trees in the city, some centuries old. Douglas Fir, Western Hemlock, Sitka Spruce, Western Red Cedar and Big Leaf Maple rise high above mossy trails and the forest’s lush understory.
Seward Park’s Magnificent Forest offers a true respite from the hustle and bustle of the city, the opportunity to commune with nature and experience a deep and calming quiet.
Press Contact
Gordon Hempton, Executive Director of Media Affairs, gordon@quietparks.org, cell +1-360-477-9588, Skype ID quiet.planet1