The following statement is displayed at the Discovery Park Visitor Center and captures the philosophy that has guided the park since its creation:
Discovery Park’s role is to provide an open space of quiet and tranquility for the citizens of this region – a sanctuary where they might escape the turmoil of the city and enjoy the rejuvenation which quiet and solitude and an intimate contact with nature can bring.
The Role of Discovery Park, Discovery Park, Seattle, WA
The forests, meadows, beaches, bluffs and wetlands of Discovery Park are fragile areas. Enjoy their beauty and the wildlife that lives within. Please be a good park steward by staying on the trails and keeping dogs on leashes. Humans created this park, yet we have the power to damage it. Help care for this special place.
A Mission That Still Matters
More than 50 years after Discovery Park was established, these words remain as relevant as ever. In a growing city, places where people can experience quiet, solitude, wildlife, and relatively wild nature are increasingly valuable. Discovery Park offers something that cannot be easily replicated: the opportunity to step away from the pace and pressures of urban life without leaving Seattle.
The park’s forests, meadows, beaches, bluffs, and wetlands are also living ecosystems, not just scenery for visitors to enjoy. Protecting the qualities that make Discovery Park special requires thoughtful stewardship and a recognition that every use of the park can affect its natural environment.
Protecting Discovery Park for the Future
Friends of Discovery Park works to help preserve the park’s natural landscapes and the experience envisioned in its Master Plan. Our work includes supporting habitat restoration, educating the community about the park’s natural and cultural history, and advocating for decisions that protect Discovery Park’s open space and ecological character.
Volunteers are an essential part of that work. From helping restore native habitat to participating in community stewardship efforts, people who give their time help ensure that Discovery Park remains a healthy and welcoming urban wilderness for generations to come. You can learn more about our work to protect and steward Discovery Park or find ways to volunteer.
Stay connected: Sign up for the Friends of Discovery Park newsletter for news, events, volunteer opportunities, and updates about the park.