Occidental Square

About

Occidental Park is in the heart of the historic Pioneer Square district. London Plane trees provide shade; park furniture and nearby outdoor cafe areas provide places to relax; and bocce courts and ping pong tables allow for some easy-going recreation. Seattle Parks and Recreation and partners installed a new play area in 2019 in the northwest corner of the square. The play area provides climbing equipment, safety surfacing, and an attractive steel and timber bench that surrounds the play area. Neighboring small businesses include bookstores, art galleries, boutiques, and a variety of other unique shops and eateries.

The park's totem poles and woodcarvings are by Duane Pasco (1970s). They were donated by art gallery owner Richard White and installed in the 1980's.  "The tallest totem, Sun and Raven, tells the story of Raven's theft of the moon and was created for the 1974 Spokane World's Fair.  The nearby Man Riding on Tail of Whale was carved in 1971.  The westernmost of the two facing figures is Tsonoqua, a mythological giantess and 'nightmare bringer' invoked by exasperated North Coast mothers to frighten their children into obedience.  She faces a slightly less fearsome Bear."  (Walt Crowley, National Trust Guide:  Seattle, New York, 1998) The Seattle Fallen Firefighters Memorial by Hai Ying Wu (1995) honors generations of heroes.

Back in the 1850s, when logs began streaming down Skid Road to Henry Yesler's sawmill, this area was part of the heart of a young and rowdy Seattle.... The present park was built over this half-acre of asphalt in 1971, during the general renovation of the Pioneer Square area. (Excerpt from Enjoying Seattle's Parks by Brandt Morgan)