Seattle Parks and Recreation Department Removes Black Lives Matter Community Garden in Cal Anderson Park
Seattle, Washington’s Parks and Recreation department, in collaboration with city police, recently removed a community garden that was planted in Cal Anderson Park as part of the Black Lives Matter protests in 2020. The removal was carried out due to public health and safety concerns, as well as for maintenance reasons such as reseeding and turf restoration.
The efforts to remove the garden also included clearing tent encampments located near the garden and outside the park along E. Olive Street. City officials stated that this was done to ensure that the public spaces remain clean and accessible to everyone.
Cal Anderson Park has been a frequent target for encampment cleanups this year, with the City’s Unified Care Team addressing the issue 76 times. The city cited incidents of vandalism in public bathrooms, public drug use, unauthorized camping, and an increasing rodent population as reasons for the removal of the temporary garden.
The removal of the garden faced opposition from the Black Star Farmers, the group that stewarded the garden. They collected over 5,000 signatures from people against the park’s removal, arguing that the garden honors Black and Indigenous people killed by police. Supporters of the garden claimed that it provided a space for joy, healing, and community gatherings.
Seattle Parks stated that the removal was necessary to repurpose the park for other uses. The park’s “Sun Bowl” area offers space for events and gatherings and is equipped with electrical and water hookups.
During the removal process, construction vehicles guarded by park rangers and police were observed by supporters of the garden. Some bystanders were unaware of the removal but attempted to save some of the plants.
Seattle Parks emphasized that they have engaged with park visitors, neighbors, adjacent businesses, and community activists since 2020 regarding the garden’s relocation. However, none of the alternative locations suggested by the department were acceptable to the garden’s organizers. The city remains committed to finding an alternative garden site and continuing the dialogue with community activists.
Various community leaders, including council member-elect Joy Hollingsworth, expressed their support for the removal of the garden. Hollingsworth emphasized the importance of maintaining safe, clean, and welcoming public spaces like Cal Anderson Park.
Not all individuals were aware of the garden’s existence as a memorial to victims of deadly force by police. Katrina Johnson, a cousin of Charleena Lyles who was killed by Seattle police officers, expressed her disappointment in not being informed about the garden. Darrell Powell, president of the Seattle, King County NAACP, stated that the garden had deviated from its intended purpose as a memorial and called for a true representation of Black lives lost to police violence.
Overall, the removal of the Black Lives Matter community garden in Cal Anderson Park has sparked debate and highlighted the need for ongoing dialogue and collaboration between city officials, community activists, and park stakeholders.
