“The seclusion of the site, the magnificent vistas, the stretches of tidal beaches, the stands of native trees, the meadowlands—all combine to make this site one of surpassing beauty and serenity.”
– the Discovery Park Master Plan
The land comprising Discovery Park is ever-changing. For 10,000 years, since the end of the last ice age, this wild and natural space has remained. Whether it persists or perishes will be determined by generations to come. In the beginning, its name was Nature.
Before 3000 BCE
The natural history of Discovery Park began during the Ice Ages. The last Ice Age 17,400 years ago brought a 3,000-foot-thick sheet of ice called the Puget Lobe or Cordilleran Ice Sheet across North America carving out much of the Seattle region before retreating and melting back to the north.
3000 BCE to 1851 CE
People first visited the rocky shores of the West Point of Seattle 4,000 years ago, long before European settlement.Records indicate that their established village was situated on the north side of Salmon Bay, near today’ s Ballard Locks.This specific group of people were the xa’ tcoabc who lived on Lake Washington,Lake Union,and Lake Sammamish as descendants of the Marpole and Salish tribes.They used the Magnolia Bluff area for hunting and gathering.They gathered plants like camas and bracken, animals such as mussels and periwinkles, and hunted larger mammals further inland like elk, deer,and seals. 3,000 years ago, landslides created sandier beaches, shifting diets towards different shellfish like clams. The Duwamish people called the land Pka-dzEltcu, one of this area’s many names
1851-1897
To U.S. Navy explorers in 1841, it was known as West Point. Settlements in 1851 brought logging and farming until the land was donated in 1898 to the U.S. Army, joining a number of military forts protecting Puget Sound. It then acquired another name—Fort Lawton.
1898-1910
During the economic downturn of the 1890’s, Seattle sought to build an army post to boost its economy. In 1898, construction of the fort situated on the Magnolia Bluff began, and two years later was named Fort Lawton, dedicated to Maj. Gen. Henry W. Lawton. Seattle had high hopes for the fort as a major artillery base to defend the Puget Sound from naval attacks. However, these hopes were never realized, as the fort remained a small infantry post throughout history, failing to produce the benefits that Seattle had expected.
1911-1935
A brief building boom established the now-familiar historic buildings by 1910.
1936-1946
World War II marks the first time Fort Lawton became a very active base for the induction, training, embarkation and debarkation of troops. In fact, it was the second-largest point of embarkation on the west coast. Fort Lawton processed around 793,000 troops for embarkation, 618,000 troops for debarkation, and 5,000 Italian prisoners of war for transport to Hawaii. At the end of the war, 1,150 German prisoners of war were confined at the fort.
1947-1964
After a quiet interlude, by 1944, a war-mandated expansion housed troops in nearly one thousand buildings, many which were demolished by the late 1940s.
1965-1972
In 1970 the City of Seattle passed a resolution reaffirming their determination to establish a public park at Fort Lawton. The Mayor, Wes Uhlman, created the Fort Lawton Citizens Advisory Committee with Donald Voorhees, a prominent Seattle Lawyer, as chairman and prominent Seattlites, like future Governor Dixie Lee Ray as members. The Committee’s purpose was to participate with the Board of Park Commissioners, the Parks and Recreation Department Superintendent and (the mayor) in the development of the Fort Lawton design plan being developed by landscape architect Daniel Urban Kiley and Partners. The Committee was supported by twenty-two different social and activist organizations including the League of Women Voters, the Seattle Audubon Society, the Seattle Planning and Redevelopment Council, and the Sierra Club. With the backing of both of Washington’s senators, Henry M. Jackson and Warren G. Magnuson, State Congressman Thomas Pelly, and Congressmen Brock Adams and Lloyd Meeds, (the majority of the congressional delegation from Western Washington), the Citizens Committee began a letter-writing campaign to save fort land for the city.
1970-77
The United Indians People’s Council made a claim on Fort Lawton, citing rights under 1865 US-Indian treaties, that promised “the reversion of surplus military land to their original landowners.”
On March 8th 1970, the nonviolent demonstration began. Led by Bernie Whitebear (Sin Aikst), Bob Satiacum (Puyallup) and indigenous peoples of Western Washington, 100+ Native Americans and supporters occupied areas of Fort Lawton using a base camp just outside the fence line. Famous supporters such as Jane Fonda and Black Panther chapter of Seattle helped increase national attention to the cause.
Four months later, the occupation ended peacefully. Negotiations continued until it was decided a new park would be created for the greater public and the United Indians People’s Council would receive a 99-year lease for 20 acres of the surplus land to become a cultural center.
The United Indians People’s Council continued organizing and formally became the United Indians of All Tribes.
A longtime vision of “an urban base for Native Americans in Seattle,” Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center was completed in 1977.
1973-1980
Speaking before the Seattle City Council in 1974, then a US District Judge, Donald S. Voorhees recommended that an organization such as the Friends of Central Park in New York be formed to support Seattle’s Discovery Park. Voorhees told Council members that it was important to monitor the actions proposed for the Park and to defend the principles and philosophy found in the 1974 Discovery Park Master Plan.
As a result of Voorhees’ address to the City Council, members of the CFLP met December 4, 1974, to form the Friends of Discovery Park. Charter Board Members elected at that meeting were: Bob Kildall, President, Gerry Lamphier, Frankie Piper, Mike Ruby, Robert Sotnik, Bernie Whitebear, and Thomas O. Wimmer.
1981-1986
The Fort Lawton Historic District (including the historic residences used by the military) was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. The City of Seattle designated the portion of the district that was in its ownership as a local historic district in 1988. In 2006, the Department of Defense conveyed the historic residences to a private corporation and the city incorporated them
into the local historic district. Historic District Tour.
2006-2010
Money became available for various capital improvement projects at Discovery Park as a result of the 1991 West Point Settlement Agreement between King County and several community organizations.
Under the Settlement Agreement, King County transmitted $5.3 million to the City of Seattle. This money plus all interest is held in a sub-fund specifically for Discovery Park.The expenditure of that $5.3 million plus interest, is now reviewed quarterly by a Citizens Oversight Committee made up of 1 representative from each of 7 specific organizations (see MOA below) including Friends of Discovery Park.
2010-present
The Capehart Forest restoration project represents one of the largest and most exciting additions to Discovery Parks open space in recent memory. Since the early 60’s the 30-acre site has been filled with over 60 prefabricated military homes and owned by the Navy. With its security fencing, no-trespassing signs, and very central location, it represented a significant detraction from the Park as a place to enjoy the out of doors.
Thanks to the support and advocacy of members of Friends, the City was able to purchase this site from the Navy for use as public park space in 2010 for approximately $13 million.
2015-2019
North Forest Road in Discovery Park, and restores the area to natural conditions. Illinois Avenue in the North Bluff area is removed and replaced with a non-paved path or service road where necessary. Kansas Avenue is closed and portions of the road removed, while still allowing for service vehicle access to utilities. Idaho Avenue is completely removed and closed. These roads and the old theater site adjacent to Idaho Avenue are restored with native plants. This project was recommended by the West Point Citizens Advisory Committee
2019
The Green Seattle Partnership is just one of the many organizations Friends of Discovery Park works with in restoring habitat, maintaining trails and planting thousands of trees and native plants in the park. Learn more.
2023, 2024
In 2022 Discovery Park celebrated its 50th Anniversary and in 2024 Friends of Discovery Park on its 50th Anniversary donated a new informational kiosk and educational signage to the park.
2022-present
The Environmental Learning and Visitors center at Discovery Park (ELC) is the first stop for visitors from around the world to learn about its history, wildlife and trails in the park. In 2022 160 documented barriers to accessibility (ADA) upgrades were made to make it more welcoming.
As of 2025 the visitors center and environmental education is unfortunately slated for closure in 2026. Help Friends and other groups fighting to keep the visitors center open. Learn more about saving the ELC.
2008-present
Learn more about Friends of Discovery Parks effort to add the last 34 acre parcel to the park to finish the dream started 50 years ago to make a natural oasis for people and wildlife in the city. And to re-establish the Ohman Wildlife Corridor.