Washington Park Arboretum

SB&A, working with the Friends of Washington Park Arboretum, researched, documented and wrote the Landmark Nomination for Washington Park Arboretum, submitted to Seattle’s Landmarks Preservation Board. The document describes the physical appearance, character and features of the arboretum including its plant collections, buildings, overlooks and structures and ongoing activities. The Statement of Significance dealt with the historic events in the history of Seattle related to the arboretum such as the development of Seattle’s first comprehensive park plan and the collaboration between the Parks Commission and the University of Washington. It also established the significance of Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr. and James Dawson of the Olmsted Brothers landscape architecture firm and their work throughout the United States. The document compares and contrasts the planning, design and construction of the arboretum with classic Olmstedian design identified by the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission. Finally, the document describes the arboretum as an example of President Roosevelt’s New Deal social and public works program to employ workers during the depression of the 1930’s.