Love Garfield Super Block

Pathways Park community...please read and learn about how we can support this beautiful community-led project. They are also working to create a place of belonging for all.

October 3, 2022 gathering at Garfield Super Block with Deputy Director of the Department of the Interior Shannon Estenoz, Seattle City Councilmember Teresa Mosquesda, State Senator Rebecca Saldana, US Representative Pramila Jayapal, and Mayor Bruce Harrell. Photo by Rebecca Bear.

Located in the heart of the Central Area, the Garfield Super Block has been a gathering place for community for many years, with a rich history of events, people and movements.

The Garfield Super Block (GSB) project has been working in community for over 20 years to improve accessibility and amenities throughout the park and to complete the Legacy and Promise Promenade: a pathway that integrates art from each of the seven different cultural groups that are historically represented in the area. These artworks will tell the history of the area and reflect the communities’ pride in their cultural backgrounds.

GSB works in partnership with many of Pathway Park’s partners. They are receiving project management support from Seattle Parks and Recreation, are fiscally sponsored by Seattle Parks Foundation and the design is being led by our favorite designers, Site Workshop.

The GSB project has always provided for community in times of celebration and in times of need. The community is disproportionately affected by the physically, emotionally and mentally disabling impacts of racism, ableism, classism and gun violence. Despite many injustices and so much heartbreak, the community continues to overcome by embracing joy, hope and belonging. They are honoring their history while dreaming of a more equitable future. This park and promenade will be a beautiful space for community to gather and find what we now have at Pathways Park: a safe and welcoming place for all.

They have raised $10 million and need $2.2 million more to build their amazing dream.

For those who can donate please consider supporting this special, community-led project.

For other ways to support, you can check out Garfield Super Block’s website, read their recent feature in the Seattle Times, follow them on Instagram or Facebook and send them loads of love and congratulations.

We love you, GSB!

Dear Community,

More than seven years ago, the Eli’s Park Project began with a collective dream to make our world more inclusive. I couldn’t have even begun to imagine then what a beautiful community and park we would create together.

Thank you. Together we made Pathways Park happen. We all shared what we had. Our talents, stories, resources, encouragement, hopes and dreams. Each person, each part mattered. We kept showing up for each other and we really did it.

I have this print by Raquel Garcia hanging above my computer as a constant, and lovely, reminder that we are all connected. That we rely on each other. That we are all truly better off for knowing and loving everyone around us.

We built something great together, something beautiful together and now we get to enjoy it together. And together we can continue to support others doing the work to make sure everybody has a place to belong.

Please watch for one final blog post from the Eli’s Park Project highlighting a very special project. One that is near and dear to my heart. Let’s lift them up Pathways people!

Hope to see you soon at Pathways Park.

With all my love and gratitude,

Paige (Eli’s mom)

Pathways Park is Open!

Thank you so much for coming to the grand opening event for Pathways Park. It was a beautiful celebration.

Photo Credit: Jocelyn RC

You can check out more photos in this blog post.

The Eli’s Park Project has been a labor of love by an entire community. And with the opening of Pathways Park, we have achieved our mission. Together, we created a place where people of people of all ages, abilities and identities feel a sense of belonging exactly as they are.

To begin this new chapter, we will be moving our website and social media. Please continue to follow along! With your contributions and support, we can make sure Pathways Park continues to be a safe, beautiful and welcoming place for all.

Our partners at Seattle Parks Foundation will be supporting our transition.

Check out our new webpage here and sign up for their email newsletter here.

Follow them on Instagram @seattleparksfoundation for updates on Pathways Park and other parks and public spaces throughout the region.

Follow the new Friends Of group at @friendsofpathwayspark and sign up to participate here. Hannah Viano and Shawn Rundell will be collaborating to organize work parties, help maintain the beautiful art in the park and will keep you informed.

We hope you’ll follow along and stay connected to the Pathways Park community!