Volunteer Park Seattle

Volunteer Park Seattle is a 48-acre park in Capitol Hill, an older neighborhood full of giant trees and beautiful, stately homes. The streets are narrow and houses close together, so it's rather surprising to come out into this large, open-area park. There are lots of things to enjoy at Volunteer Park even if the weather is not so great.

Trails and paths

There are lots of paved trails for walking and running, pushing strollers, walking the dog, whatever suits your fancy. These huge trees are amazing! They remind me of those giant treehouses built into enormous trees in movies like Tarzan and Swiss Family Robinson. I would love to have a tree like this in my yard - I'd probably do away with my house and just live in the treehouse!

My mom sitting on an enormous tree at Volunteer Park

Picnic tables and open space

Lots of spots to enjoy a picnic lunch at a table or on a blanket on the grass, too. Toss a football or frisbee, let the kids run, enjoy the sun, or just take a nap!

That tiny dot near the center of the photo is a person - trees grow big in Seattle!

Children's play area

This is a nice one with lots of shady areas so the kids don't get too sunburned. There is a large wading pool that kids love to play in during the summer.

Water tower

At the entrance to Volunteer Park Seattle, there is a red brick water tower. Climb the more than 100 steps up to the observation deck at the top and you'll get a panoramic view of downtown Seattle and the surrounding area. From there you can see the Space Needle, Puget Sound, Mount Rainier, the Olympic mountains - and it's free!

Seattle Asian Art Museum

This beautiful building used to house the Seattle Art Museum. When SAM moved to it's new digs downtown, it became the home of SAM's Asian collections in the form of the Seattle Asian Art Museum.

Black Sun Sculpture

Directly across the street from SAAM, is a sculpture by Isamu Noguchi called Black Sun. Photographers love to shoot photos of the Space Needle from this viewpoint. The photo below is my attempt.

Volunteer Park Conservatory

This is one of my favorite spots in Seattle. The first time I came to Volunteer Park, I came to see an exhibit at the Asian Art Museum. After a couple of hours in the exhibit, I was heading back to my car and noticed the Conservatory building. It was cold and rainy outside, but inside the Conservatory it was warm, humid, and flowers were blooming! I spent three hours in there wandering among the plants, taking photos, and soaking up the warmth. Since then, I've been back many times and each time I come home with at least a hundred new photos.

The building is divided into five "houses" or climates. The Bromeliad House, the Palm House, and the Fern House are kept warm and humid. There's also the Seasonal Display House and the Cactus House. The conservatory is stuffed with plants! Although it's a little cramped, it's a wonderful place to wander through and take photos or even draw or paint! There's a little gift shop inside as well.

Koi ponds

Near the Black Sun there are two koi ponds with lily pads, koi, and sometimes a frog or two. Notice the person standing just to the right of the pond. That gives you an idea of how big the trees are in Volunteer Park!

Band stand

In the summer, Theater Schmeater presents free outdoor theater performances here. Check the Seattle Events Calendars for details.

Tennis courts

Volunteer Park is definitely worth visiting, and Seattle Parks and Recreation and all their volunteers do a great job of taking care of it!

I'll be in the Conservatory with my camera...

For more information about Volunteer Park Seattle, the Conservatory, SAAM, and other Seattle city parks:
Volunteer Park Seattle
1247 15th Ave. E
www.seattle.gov/parks