Volunteer Park

Address:	1247 15th Ave E, Seattle, WA 98112, USA
Phone:	+1 206-684-4075
Site:	seattle.gov
Rating:	4.7
Working:	6AM–10PM 6AM–10PM 6AM–10PM 6AM–10PM 6AM–10PM 6AM–10PM 6AM–10PM

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 11

Eric Setran

A beautiful oasis on top of Capital Hill with stunning views of the city from the observation deck of the castle-like water tower. Home of the beautiful art-deco Seattle Art Museum Asian Art Exhibit. Views of the Space Needle looking over the water of the reservoir from a platform with the sculpture "Black Sun" by Noguchi. Home of the Seattle Conservatory, a beautiful expansive victorian greenhouse with 5 different climate zones for their large collection of plants, including a dry cactus-succulent room, a bromeliad room, a tropical orchid room, a seasonal room and a rain-forest like environment for ferns and tropicals. A large historical statue of William Henry Seward is in front of the conservatory at the end of a long lane of century-old trees. It also has a large sunny lawn in front of a band shell that is popular for sunning and picnicking in summer. There is also a dalhia display garden with hundreds of dahlia specimens every summer. In summer the childrens wading pool is very popular. The two duck ponds with waterlilies and iris are full of goldfish and usually a few ducks. There is also a quiet alcove with a marble-carved memorial monument for one of the founders of Seattle that is probably 100 years old. The park is one of the jewels of Seattle, and greatly enjoyed by nearby residents and many visitors year-round.

Michael U

This is one of the Olmsted Brothers parks listed in the National Register of Historic places. The Olmsted design began in 1904 and was completed in 1909, though it was a park for many years before. Originally land set aside for a cemetery later purchased by the City of Seattle if became known as Lake View Park, the name that the cemetery just to the north of the park still holds. It was later named City Park, but in 1901 was renamed Volunteer Park, commemorating the volunteers who fought in the Spanish American War. It now houses the Volunteer Park Conservatory, a part of the Olmsted design, and the Asian Art Museum which was the original site of the Seattle Art Museum and is a wonderful example of Art Deco architecture, though some argue antithetical to the Olmsted vision. It also contains a water tower and a reservoir which used to be a part of the citys water system, and though it is still commissioned it has been out of service for the past few years as it is being debated as to whether or not to bring it up to date seismically or to decommission it permanently. Its a beautiful, restful retreat in the heart of Capitol Hill, Seattles most densely populated neighborhood.

Daniel Petesch

Its a beautiful Olmstead Brothers designed jewel in the Seattle Parks system, intended to be connected via treelined boulevards between each park. A depression, lack of public money, maybe a war or two and who knows what else contributed to the demise of the bigger plan, failing to finish the boulevards between parks was and still is a sad story. Seattle with all its wealth, corporate growth, and endless media attention should set forth and finish the missing links proposed decades ago. Heck, why not tear out more streets and parking spaces and expand the system? Connecting parks never even thought of in the days of Olmstead designs, just make those new boulevards big enough for streetcar rails to be included there and not in the same congested lanes with automobiles as was brilliantly planned with the First Hill/Capitol Hill line. Well finish this city and solve its mobility issues yet, just takes time and money, neither appears to be an issue these days so lets finish the parks.

Mark Kashman

Volunteer Park has a little bit of everything for everyone. It has the Seattle Asian Art Museum - a nice in-the-round museum celebrating the Asian cultures from textiles, sculptures, paintings and jewelry; a nice loop that a brief stop within the park. There are also numerous vistas - one being a great brick-surrounded water tank you can spiral-staircase it up to the top with great views. And throughout, there are many places to sit, play Frisbee, and in general get up and walk about with tree-lined avenues and open green spaces. Also, nearby, is the Lake View Cemetery where Bruce and Brandon Lee are buried; you have to go out of Volunteer park and down 15th Ave to get there - its worth it as its a beautiful, peaceful cemetery.

Shaw Fitzgerald

Volunteer Park is a beautiful gem on Seattles Capitol Hill. One of the many Olmstead parks sprinkled throughout the city its a great place to visit for some rare Seattle sunbathing on a sunny day, a picnic, or visit it for the Seattle Asian Art Museum or the gorgeous newly remodeled Volunteer Park Conservatory and learn something new. During the summer there are often events happening on the lawn by the amphitheater which is also a great place to see summer productions of Shakespeare in the Park. This park is a Seattle treasure that should definitely be visited whether you are a local or an out of town visitor.

Dee Mulford

What a beautiful park. And the Greenhouse is amazing all on its own, but whats inside the greenhouse will knock your socks off. The most unusual plants ....and all of them healthy, some are very old. Those will soon need to be trimmed down because theyre almost hitting the roof! Check it out! The only drawback is the machine to pay for your pass....its cumbersome and takes forever to get to work. Also whats too bad is that theres an ugly sign outside of the greenhouse which makes it difficult to take a picture of the gorgeous building. Dee Mulford

Taylor Dalrymple

Water Tower offers a great 360 degree view for free along with detailed historical information on the park and neighborhood. Dahlia garden is beautiful, and even the groundskeeper keeps the squirrels well fed. Its a shame the Asian Art Museum will be closed so long, though. Visit the Black Sun sculpture for a nostalgic connection to the Seattle grunge music scene. Conservancy is small and overpriced (yes, only $4) for what it is when you consider that the Japanese Garden nearby is only $6.

Kelly Beirdneaux

This is my favorite place. I go there to unwind, play music, go to concerts, get some exercise, and feed my squirrel friends. One in particular is my favorite. He has a one inch tail. I call him Stumpy. You can find him near the wading pool. He loves peanuts. The Dahlia garden is always beautiful!!! The museum is a great place to take in some culture. The conservatory is always so peaceful and warm. Any visitors to Seattle should stop by this most awesome park I call my backyard.

Jessi Reiss

This is a more rustic park. If you enter from the Southwestern corner it is very hilly with rough paths (think strollers or anyone with mobility issues). The park lacks benches and the large resevoir is defunct and fenced off. The park comes alive all centered around the conservatory in the far north of the park - people playing frisbee, walking and being active here. Its naturalistic and not a planted park, just fyi. There is a cool wading pool and kid playground near the conservatory.

Casey Penk

Its the Central Park of Seattle. (Scaled proportionately). Swaths of grass, absolutely. Monumental sculpture, yep. Giant reservoir a la Onassis, indeed. Grandstanding marble plaques, for sure. Its even a rectangle, people! I will register my discontent with the heritage of the name. They named it for volunteers who claimed to "liberate" oppressed Central Americans (through warfare and overthrow, of course). Name it after weatherman Steve Pool or some other cool local person!

Kurt Abe

Serenity in the midst of the chaos of Cap Hill. Unlike Cal Anderson, Volunteer Park is nestled in a beautiful (and expensive) neighborhood. Its widely used by "sane" people who want to play Frisbee, take their children to the playground/wading pool, or watch the random plays/music at Stimson Auditorium, or take in the Asian Art Museum. There is something for everyone. Its a beautiful park worthy of your precious time. Dont waste it, visit it now.