As we celebrate National Community Development Week, #SeattleHumanServices is thrilled to shine a spotlight on The Seattle Conservation Corps (SCC), a Parks and Recreation program that has been providing job skills training and employment opportunities for people experiencing homelessness for almost four decades. Participants support the Seattle community by improving the accessibility of parks for people with disabilities, adding green space to mixed income neighborhoods, and beautifying public spaces for all Seattle residents and workers. As we celebrate National Community Development Week, #SeattleHumanServices is thrilled to shine a spotlight on The Seattle Conservation Corps (SCC), a Parks and Recreation program that has been providing job skills training and employment opportunities for people experiencing homelessness for almost four decades. Participants support the Seattle community by improving the accessibility of parks for people with disabilities, adding green space to mixed income neighborhoods, and beautifying public spaces for all Seattle residents and workers.
SCC has used Community Development Block Grants (CDBG), federal funding for essential projects, to invest in safe places for residents to recreate and visit. In 2022, the SCC was able to make accessibility upgrades to six parks in 2022 impacting nearly 66,455 of our neighbors. In 2023, the SCC Parks Upgrades program will receive $808K in CDBG funding for new projects that will benefit even more Seattle visitors, workers, and residents. HSD would like to thank our federal delegation, including Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell and Representatives Pramila Jayapal and Adam Smith, for their ongoing support of CDBG funding.
CDBG funding is now helping to improve accessibility in Seattle’s beloved Oxbow Park, located in Seattle’s historic Georgetown neighborhood. You may also know the park as “Hat ‘n’ Boots” Park due to its prominent 44 ft. wide cowboy hat and 22 ft. high boots sculpture. The sculpture was designed by Seattle artist Lewis Nasmyth in 1953 as a feature for a gas station, and in the late 1980s, Georgetown residents saved it from demolition. In 2003, the City relocated the sculpture to Oxbow Park, where it continues to serve as a symbol of the ongoing public-private partnership and dedication to distinct neighborhood arts, culture, and shared spaces.
Keep an eye out for more uplifting stories and opportunities as #SeattleHumanServices continues to celebrate #NationalCommunityDevelopment Week!