Five Seattle Park Names and the Stories Behind Them
Learn what Kerry, Volunteer, Cal Anderson, Gas Works and Hing Hay park names mean, where to find them, and how to fit one into a Seattle day.
Seattle’s park names can point to a family, a public figure, an earlier use of the land or a place for gathering. These five give you a little history to carry into a visit—and help distinguish a quick neighborhood stop from a longer outing.
This is a guide to the names, not a ranking. For an activity-first comparison, use our guide to choosing a Seattle park.
Kerry Park: a family’s gift of a view
Where: Queen Anne Hill, on West Highland Drive.
Kerry Park bears the name of the Albert S. Kerry family. The Queen Anne Historical Society records that neighbors contributed toward buying the viewpoint lot and that the Kerry family supplied $20,000. The land was donated to the city in 1927 to preserve public enjoyment of the view. Queen Anne Historical Society
That purpose still describes the visitor experience: a stop to look across downtown and Elliott Bay, with Mount Rainier appearing only when conditions allow. Treat it as a viewpoint rather than the main walking activity of your day. Seattle Parks’ Kerry Park page
Our Queen Anne half-day guide puts the viewpoint into a broader neighborhood outing.
Volunteer Park: a commemorative name
Where: Capitol Hill.
Originally called Lake View Park and later City Park, Volunteer Park received its current name in 1901 to commemorate Spanish-American War veterans. Volunteer Park Trust’s history
The park is also an important example of the Olmsted Brothers’ landscape design. For a visitor, its useful distinction is the mix of park grounds and indoor destinations: both the Volunteer Park Conservatory and Seattle Asian Art Museum are here. That makes it a stronger choice than a view-only stop when you want to adapt the day to rain. Seattle Parks’ Volunteer Park page
Cal Anderson Park: a legislator’s legacy
Where: Capitol Hill, just southeast of Capitol Hill light-rail station.
The park was named in 2003 for Cal Anderson, Washington’s first openly gay state legislator. Anderson entered the state House in 1987 and later served in the Senate. Washington State Senate’s account of his legacy
The station-side location makes this an easy outdoor pause in a Capitol Hill day. The park has promenade paths, a fountain, a play area and athletic space; it is not the same destination as Volunteer Park. Seattle Parks’ Cal Anderson page
An old-name trap: historical accounts refer to Lincoln Park around the reservoir here. The southern playfield became Broadway Playfield in 1922 to avoid confusion with Lincoln Park in West Seattle, and later became Bobby Morris Playfield. Cal Anderson Park Alliance’s history Today’s Lincoln Park is the waterfront park north of the Fauntleroy ferry terminal—not this Capitol Hill site.
Gas Works Park: the name describes its industrial past
Where: Lake Union’s north shore, below Wallingford.
The site was a gas-manufacturing plant, operating from 1906 until 1956. Landscape architect Richard Haag’s park design retained parts of the plant rather than clearing away every industrial structure. Those remnants explain both the name and the park’s distinctive appearance. HistoryLink’s Gas Works Park history
Choose it for the Seattle view, lawns and industrial scenery—not for swimming. Entering the lake, wading, fishing and launching boats from the park are prohibited because the lake sediment contains hazardous substances. Seattle Parks’ Gas Works page
Hing Hay Park: a name about gathering
Where: Chinatown–International District.
Seattle Parks gives the literal translation as “Celebrate Happiness Public Park” and the figurative meaning as “Park for Pleasurable Gatherings.” Its Grand Pavilion was designed and constructed in Taipei, Taiwan; the expanded plaza includes seating, flowering trees and an artistic gateway. Seattle Parks’ Hing Hay page
Think of it as a neighborhood plaza stop rather than a trail outing. Pair it with lunch and another activity in the district using our Chinatown half-day guide.
Choose one neighborhood—and a rain backup
For a weather-flexible outing, choose Volunteer Park plus Seattle Asian Art Museum, or Hing Hay Park plus Wing Luke Museum. Keep the outdoor portion short if rain strengthens, and make the museum your main activity.
As of October 10, 2026, both museums list regular hours of Wednesday–Sunday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m., so neither is a regular Monday or Tuesday backup. Check holiday exceptions and admission before relying on either. Seattle Asian Art Museum visitor information · Wing Luke Museum visitor information
Kerry Park and Gas Works fit better as optional view stops when visibility is promising.