The construction documents were completed in two months; a contractor was awarded the project; and two months later the contractor completed his work. Then, 6,000 volunteers “made over” the park in an eight-day sprint. On the ninth day, with great celebration, Mayor Nickels and hundreds of children and adults streamed into the “new” park. Since the dedication, the park has been the subject of several newspaper articles and television spots. It also was selected by the Seattle Times as one of the top five playgrounds in Seattle. It received this recognition because of its innovative features that make it worth venturing out of your own neighborhood to visit it.
The proof of the quality of the park’s design and popularity is the fact that the neighborhood has taken back the park, and it is heavily used by the public.

Powell Barnett Park

SB&A was retained by The Powell Barnett Legacy Park Committee to assist them in the planning and redevelopment of this Central Area Park, along Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue in Seattle. Named for an activist and advocate for racial cooperation in the 1950’s through the 1970’s, park had fallen in disrepair and neighborhood children were not allowed to play there.

Maisha Barnett
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"Park Make-Over" Completed
Park Before Renovation
Powell Barnett Park Master Plan

Maisha Barnett, Powell’s granddaughter, led the Legacy Committee recapture the park for the neighborhood. SB&A prepared three concepts, the committee and agencies of the city provided review and one was selected to carry forward.

After months of raising money, the Committee was far from their goal. At that time, the design and Powell Barnett’s story caught the eye of Starbucks who was looking to fund a “Park Make-Over” project. After extensive negotiations the Committee agreed to accept the funding. SB&A worked with Seattle Parks to prepare the construction documents, assist in bidding and construction administration.