Roosevelt’s long promised park
In 2015, the City of Seattle set aside a piece of land to become a neighborhood park on 14th Ave NE, between 65th and 66th Streets. At the time, the Mayor and City Council said that Roosevelt lacks quality open public space and that a park here is “necessary and in the public’s best interest.”
In the 11 years since the park was promised, the population of Roosevelt has doubled and the need for a park is even greater. But the Parks Department tells us that we must wait even longer, perhaps until 2030 or later.
Roosevelt Reimagined is asking the City to start building the park as soon as possible.
The Ordinance
The City’s promise to Roosevelt is written into law. Below is an excerpt from the 2015 ordinance (Council Bill 118509) in which the City of Seattle designated this land for a park, citing Roosevelt’s shortage of green space and the growing density of our neighborhood.
WHEREAS, The City of Seattle (City) considers the Roosevelt Residential Urban Village as an underserved community that lacks enough quality open space for public use; and
WHEREAS, according to Seattle’s Parks and Recreation 2011 Development Plan and 2011 Gap Report Update, around 1/2 of the Roosevelt Residential Urban Village is unserved by open space within 1/8 of a mile; and
WHEREAS, Roosevelt Residential Urban Village was recently upzoned to add additional density and is experiencing increased development; and
WHEREAS, the City’s Department of Parks and Recreation Roosevelt Neighborhood Plan calls for the need to plan and create new open spaces in conjunction with development;