BRINGING COMMUNITIES BACK
In 1969, students at the Leschi Elementary School named Powell Barnett Park, to honor community leader Powell Barnett (1883-1971). Barnett was the son of a slave who went on to become revered for his work as a community organizer, and leader.
Over the years the Powell Barnett Playground, located in Seattle on Martin Luther King, Jr. Way between E Jefferson and E Alder streets fell into some disrepair. Maisha Barnett, Powell Barnett’s granddaughter, was determined to restore the park and playground that honored her grandfather’s contributions to this neighborhood and this city. In 2006, she submitted a request to Starbucks for a grant to tidy up the park. Starbucks not only granted her request but they also provided her with 800 volunteers. The resulting park and playground far exceeded anyone’s expectations.
Powell Barnett Playground
Starbucks featured the restoration of this Powell Barnett Playground as part of their community building effort called Extreme Park Makeovers.
Starbucks Extreme Park Makeover: Powell Barnett
The makeover is unique not only because it transformed the park into a central focus of the community, but also because of the diverse people, businesses, and organizations who came together to make it happen. The makeover of Powell Barnett Playground is this community’s forceful, positive statement about reclaiming a park that had become overrun by crime.
Our team was proud to participate in the reclamation of this beautiful park and playground. The Highwire team provided the playground design and KOMPAN play equipment. The Powell Barnett Playground is designed for all the children in this community who deserve a safe place to explore, play, and socialize.
Find out more about this outstanding example of community. Watch the video below to see the exceptional transformation. Talk to us about how we can help you transform the playgrounds in your community.
