Seattle Mayor Wilson Launches Community Process to Rename Jackson Park, With Name Suggestions Due December 14
Jackson Park in north Seattle, in King County, Washington, is set for a new name. Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson on November 13 directed Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) to launch a community naming process, inviting residents to propose names that better reflect the history and cultural significance of the land and the values of the city. Written suggestions are due by December 14, 2026.
Located at 1000 NE 135th St., Jackson Park offers green space, natural areas, walking trails and recreational facilities, and is home to the Jackson Park Golf Course, with an 18-hole course, a nine-hole executive course, a driving range and practice facilities. The park is named for former President Andrew Jackson, whose legacy includes policies that forcibly displaced Native American peoples from their ancestral lands. Community members have raised concerns about continuing to honor that history through the name of a public park and have called for a name that is more culturally appropriate.
“We've heard from community members who want to change the name of Jackson Park, and now is the right time to move this conversation forward,” Mayor Wilson said. “With new light rail connections and opportunities to make the park more accessible and welcoming, we should have a park that reflects the values of our city.” Interim SPR Superintendent Michele Finnegan said community input will help guide efforts to make Jackson Park a place where everyone feels safe, welcome and connected.
Under the city's Park Naming Policy, the Parks Naming Committee will evaluate suggestions based on the history of the land, distinctive natural or geological features, the park's geographical location, and historical or cultural significance. Parks may also be named after an individual who has been deceased for at least three years and made a significant contribution to parks, recreation or culture in the local community. The committee will submit a recommendation to the SPR Superintendent, who makes the final naming decision. Suggestions may be mailed to the Seattle Parks and Recreation Parks Naming Committee, 100 Dexter Ave. N, Seattle, WA 98109.
Source: City of Seattle
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：西雅图市政厅。Seattle City Council 摄，CC0，经 Wikimedia Commons。 / Photo: Seattle City Hall. By Seattle City Council, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.
