Courtesy photos
Discovery Park is Seattle’s largest green space and a Pacific Northwest jewel, drawing in over a million visitors each year. From families on weekend outings to international tourists marveling at its sweeping views, the urban oasis is a vital refuge within the city’s landscape. Its natural beauty and iconic tranquility have been praised in more than 40 tourism articles over the past two years, solidifying its status as one of Seattle’s most celebrated destinations. But beneath this acclaim, Discovery Park faces a quiet crisis: the closure of its Environmental Learning Center (ELC) and Visitor Center, leaving it without the essential resources to engage and educate the very people who cherish it most.
For many, Discovery Park is not just a scenic escape—it is Seattle’s natural sanctuary, a living embodiment of the values that define our city. Tourists from around the world come to explore its beaches, meadows, and iconic lighthouse, drawn by glowing features in publications like Forbes and Condé Nast Traveler. As Seattle prepares to welcome the world during the 2026 World Cup, Discovery Park will serve as a powerful symbol of the city’s commitment to nature and well-being. Yet, at a time when our city should be investing in its green spaces, budget cuts have jeopardized environmental programming, stripping Discovery Park of the ability to educate and engage visitors. How can a city that prides itself on sustainability allow its premier park to go without proper resources?
The Environmental Learning Center, a hub for education and conservation awareness, has been closed indefinitely due to severe flooding and a lack of funding. This closure has created a void, leaving schoolchildren without outdoor learning experiences, eco-tourists without guidance, and conservation efforts without a central gathering place. Without the ELC, visitors are left to navigate the park without understanding its fragile ecosystems, and a critical link between the public and nature is severed.
Discovery Park is not alone in this crisis. The Environmental Learning Center at Carkeek Park, another essential space for environmental education in Seattle, has also been closed due to funding issues. Carkeek Park, like Discovery Park, has long been a hub for school field trips, hands-on conservation efforts, and public education about local ecosystems. Their absence leaves a glaring hole in Seattle’s environmental fabric and diminishes the city’s ability to cultivate the next generation of environmental advocates.
Let’s be clear: this is not just an unfortunate oversight; it is a short-sighted decision with long-term consequences. While other cities are doubling down on green investments, Seattle is stripping away critical infrastructure from the very places that make it special. As Friends of Discovery Park, we see this as a violation of the Discovery Park Master Plan — a forward-thinking document that has, for half a century, guided the park’s preservation as a space where nature takes precedence over human-made works.
This is a moment for action. Friends of Discovery Park urges Seattle residents, policymakers, and visitors to demand the restoration of funding for environmental education at Discovery Park, Carkeek Park, and all of Seattle’s treasured green spaces. We must come together to ensure these essential resources are reopened and fully supported. Advocacy efforts can make a difference—residents can contact their City Council representatives, join Friends of Discovery Park in speaking out, and spread the word about the urgent need to protect Discovery Park’s future.
For five decades, Friends of Discovery Park has fought to keep this urban oasis wild and unspoiled by development. The loss of the Environmental Learning Center threatens to erode that legacy. Discovery Park has always been a place where nature takes precedence, where people from all walks of life can find solace and inspiration. The future of Seattle’s most iconic park depends on our collective voice. Now is the time to stand together and ensure that Discovery Park remains welcoming, educational, and well-funded for generations to come.