Schmitz Park

Schmitz Park, Job #02719, Seattle, WA

Olmsted Archives

Quick Facts

Location:

Seattle, WA

Significance:

Olmsted Designed Park

MANAGED BY:

Seattle

Originally known as Forest Park, Olmsted Brothers described the area in their 1908 Plan for Seattle Parks as “a densely wooded ravine…valuable for its scenic effects, and for recreation purposes.” Between 1908 and 1912, what would become Schmitz Park was donated to the city in pieces, with the largest chunk coming from Ferdinand Schmitz, a German banker who served on the Park Commission. Schmitz donated his land “to be used perpetually…for park purposes…in order that certain natural features be preserved.

Source: "Schmitz Preserve Park," Olmsted Online

For more information and primary resources, please visit:
Olmsted Research Guide Online
Olmsted Archives on Flickr