Seattle · Lake Union
Celebrating Seattle's industrial past at Gas Works Park
A community organization recognized by the City of Seattle for responsible stewardship of one of the world's first industrial reclamation parks.
Our mission
Understanding and appreciating the Park
The Friends of Gas Works Park was established to foster understanding and appreciation of the Park. We support the collection and translation of historical and educational information about the Park into an exciting and thought-provoking form that integrates with and enhances the existing Park experience.
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Celebrate the past
Honor our industrial heritage, the technology and the people behind it, and give new life to the totemic artifacts that are true landmarks of Seattle's past.
Gas Works Park Alliance campaign
Support the Gas Works Park Towers Preservation Master Plan
This campaign funds expert assessment to preserve Gas Works Park's iconic historic towers.
It is organized by the Gas Works Park Alliance, a coalition of professionals and nonprofit organizations, including the Friends of Gas Works Park, working toward a preservation master plan for the landmarked towers. Funds raised go toward Phase One: a professional assessment of the towers' condition, with recommendations for protection, stewardship and maintenance.
Donate on GoFundMeDonations are made through GoFundMe. See the campaign page for full details on how funds will be used.
The story
Gas Works Park tells a story of Seattle and its people
Seattle is home to one of the few industrial reclamation parks in the world. Gas Works Park is the sole survivor of 1,400 gasification plants in the United States alone. With an international reputation as a prototype for industrial site conversions, it has received worldwide recognition, won numerous design and environmental awards, and attracts visitors from around the globe each year.
The remaining relics of the former gas plant serve as totemic artifacts, the last surviving members of an extinct species. They are real dinosaurs: the engineering of these structures is of a type, scale and complexity of detail that will never again be achieved.
“The plan is purposely under-designed; it represents a strong skeleton which can evolve in rhythm and rhyme with the new directions in life and play-styles.” Richard Haag Associates, Park Master Plan, 1972
- 1903
The Olmsted Brothers select the site as a future park.
- 1906
Seattle Light Company builds a coal-based gas plant on the site instead.
- 1937
Oil-gas generators replace coal conversion. They still stand today.
- 1956
Production ends with the conversion to natural gas.
- 1962
Led by Councilwoman Myrtle Edwards and others, the City begins acquiring the site.
- 1972
Richard Haag Associates completes the Park Master Plan.
- 1978
The last phase of Park construction is completed. The Park is owned and operated by Seattle Parks and Recreation.
From our archives
Photos
Get involved
Support the Friends of Gas Works Park
As a Friend or Business Sponsor, you support part of Seattle's legacy by helping create a place of learning and discovery at Gas Works Park.
Could you help as a volunteer? Do you know any former gas plant workers? We'd love to hear from you.