Lake People Park (Xacua'bs)

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HOURS

4 a.m. - 11:30 p.m.

ABOUT THE PARK

This half-acre of forested land provides views north to downtown Seattle and east to the Cascades. It also preserves a green oasis just blocks from Rainier Ave. S. A flat area at the top of the park includes benches and boulders to sit on and a picnic table. Follow the trails to read interpretive signs that help identify native plants. The park incorporates a walkway and public stairs in the Bradford St. unopened right-of-way, connecting the residential neighborhood at the top of the hill with the Rainier commercial district at the bottom of the hill.

HISTORY

In 2003, Diane and Monte Powell and George Krusz donated property for a new park through the Seattle Parks Foundation. The half-acre of wooded land is in the heart of Rainier Valley. Located in a quiet neighborhood among primarily single-family homes, the unique property sits high atop a hill one block west of Rainier Ave. S. The park provides wonderful pocket views across Rainier Valley; all the way to downtown Seattle to the north, and to the Cascade Mountains to the east.

Community members gathered as "Friends of Goat Hill" to plan the park, raise funds, and help build the park. Volunteer crews from Earth Corps and Student Conservation Corps built stairs and trails, and cleared invasive plants. The official park opening was in June 2005.

The park name reflects the historical presence of the Duwamish tribe in this area of the city. Xacua'bs (pronounced hah-chu-ABSH) means "Lake People."