Discovery Park Symposium at the University of Washington: An Evening with Peter Ker Walker

by Marcus Donner
Discovery Park Symposium at the University of Washington: An Evening with Peter Ker Walker - Friends of Discovery Park

Event Details

Event Name: An Evening with Peter Ker Walker – Co-Author of Discovery Park’s Master Plan
Date: Tuesday, May 23, 2017
Time: 6:30 PM – 9:00 PM
Location: University of Washington Architecture Hall 147

About the Event

Our region’s largest naturalistic public park, Discovery Park, affords the indispensable ingredients for a flourishing humane wilderness environment within an urban city. Equanimity, health, and introspection all thrive here. The symposium will feature Peter Ker Walker, co-author of the Discovery Park Master Plan, along with a panel of invited speakers as they discuss Seattle’s largest public park: its rich history, current role in the City’s parks system, and exciting future. They will explore key themes such as:

  • The history and guiding vision behind Discovery Park’s design
  • The importance of protecting urban open spaces for future generations
  • The relationship between nature, human health, and community well-being
  • The cultural and ecological significance of Discovery Park
  • How thoughtful stewardship can help shape the future of this world-class urban park

Watch a brief segment of the symposium below as Seattle Parks and Recreation interim Superintendent, Christopher Williams, discusses Seattle’s Discovery Park.

Featured Speakers and Panelists

Selected speakers and panelists for this symposium include:

  • Peter Ker Walker, Landscape Architect and co-author of the Discovery Park Master Plan.
  • Christopher Williams, Deputy Superintendent, Seattle Parks and Recreation.
  • Thaisa Way, UW Professor, Department of Landscape Architecture, College of Built Environments, urban landscape historian, theory, and design.
  • Jourdan Keith, Founder and Director of Urban Wilderness Project, Poet, Storyteller and teaching artist.
  • Peter Kahn, UW Professor, Department of Psychology and the School of Environmental and Forest Sciences, nature, technology, and human development.
  • Randy Lewis, United Indians of All Tribes, Board Member and Founder, Daybreak Star Cultural Center.
  • Shelton Johnson, (via video), US National Park Service, Yosemite National Park Ranger, Author, and Poet.
Peter Ker Walker, landscape architect and co-author of the Discovery Park Master Plan, speaking at the University of Washington Discovery Park Symposium in 2019.
University of Washington and Discovery Park Symposium partner logos displayed for the 2019 event.

Continuing the Vision for Discovery Park

The conversations explored at the Discovery Park Symposium continue to shape how we think about protecting and caring for this special place. Friends of Discovery Park works to preserve the park’s natural landscapes, advocate for thoughtful stewardship, and support efforts that ensure Discovery Park remains a welcoming and resilient urban wilderness for generations to come.

Learn more about our conservation, restoration, and advocacy efforts on the Our Work page.

Stay connected with Friends of Discovery Park updates, volunteer opportunities, and news by signing up for our newsletter.