Title
Update on Rebecca Howard Park
Recommended Action
Information only. No action requested.
Report
Issue:
Receive the presentation and provide feedback.
Staff Contact:
Stephanie Johnson, Arts Program Manager, Parks, Arts & Recreation, 360.709.2678
Presenter(s):
Sarah Giannobile, Associate Parks Planner
Background and Analysis:
In 2018, the City of Olympia purchased a corner parcel in downtown Olympia for economic development. During the 2020 Black Lives Matters protest in response to the murder of George Floyd, the focus for the site shifted from housing to healing to provide a safe place for community members to find peace, connection, and belonging. The property was then transferred over to the Olympia Parks Department to develop into a park.
A stakeholder group of interested City staff and community members was formed to discuss the possibilities for this space, which led to the name Rebecca Howard Park in honor of Olympia’s first Black businesswoman in the early years of the Pacific Northwest. Revered and respected for her hospitality, humor and no-nonsense demeanor, Howard was a well-loved Olympia pioneer who managed the boarding house and restaurant which served local regulars and traveling politicians.
The stakeholder group identified five park purpose-and-goal statements to help assist with preliminary design concepts for the site, they included:
1. To celebrate, honor, and recognize the local history and contributions of our African American and Black community members.
2. To provide a safe place for peace and healing, that honors representation and fosters a sense of belonging and inclusion.
3. To promote equity, respect, and learning as we build community together.
4. To find common ground with each other through storytelling, performance and art - especially stories, performances, and art from, or promoted by and led by our African American and/or Black community members.
5. To build strong connections with the surrounding neighbors and organizations.
In fall 2024, the City hired a Design Consultant team to complete the park development plan. They assembled a steering committee of local Black community members and hired two members as Cultural Design Advocates to help plan community events and spread the word about this project.
From April to July 2025, five community events were held to share site alternatives and different design opportunities for discussion and feedback. The feedback received was used to create a preferred site plan and the overall park development plan report.
Associate Parks Planner Sarah Giannobile will share results of the recently completed Rebecca Howard Park Development Plan, the proposed development schedule and opportunities for future public art projects in the park.
Climate Analysis:
Future planning includes narrowing 9th Avenue SE and replacing asphalt with green space, reducing impermeable and heat producing surfaces in the downtown core.
One of the goals of the Parks Department is to have a park located within a ½ mile of residents which encourages fewer vehicle miles for people to access parks and/or open space in Olympia. This park is located in Olympia’s downtown core and has bus service and bike routes nearby.
Equity Analysis:
From the Rebecca Howard Park Development Plan: “This project centers Black healing by creating a welcoming, intergenerational space that brings life, beauty, and connection to downtown Olympia.” This will be the first park in our system the celebrates and honors our Black and African American community members - past and present.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
Public involvement and community surveys have been foundational components to the project.
Options:
Receive the presentation and provide feedback.
Financial Impact:
Completion of the plan allows the City of Olympia to move forward with setting a budget to allocate funds and apply for grants.
Attachments:
Rebecca Howard Park Project Page on Engage Olympia - top item in the right column marked “documents.”