On May 2, the Department of Neighborhoods (DON) kicked off a yearlong celebration to mark our 35th Anniversary. The recognition began on Neighbor Day, a citywide tradition that was initiated by a community member to celebrate the “goodness in those around us and strengthen our bonds with one another.” Since… [ Keep reading ]
We recently connected with Joselynn Tokashiki, manager of the Heron’s Nest, to learn about the project, how it has been supported by the Food Equity Fund, and the important role food plays in building community and connecting to the land. About Heron’s Nest The Heron’s Nest is a 3.56-acre land care project and community hub in the West Duwamish Greenbelt that preserves… [ Keep reading ]
On Saturday, March 21, people of Seattle gathered in South Park for the first Best Day Ever event, a day of service, storytelling, shared meals, and community connection co-created by the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods and the Seattle Chamber of Connection and local partner Cultivate South Park. Best Day Ever is a community-powered celebration designed to strengthen civic belonging while spotlighting the people,… [ Keep reading ]
In 1994, then Mayor Norm Rice was out on one of his regular neighborhood tours, this time in Phinney Ridge. On that tour, he met a passionate neighbor who handed him a letter. Her name is Judith Wood. In her letter, she implored the Mayor to create a day to… [ Keep reading ]
The Ballard Avenue Landmark District (BLD) Board will hold its annual election of board members. Community members who are registered for this election will receive a ballot and self-addressed stamped envelope by mail. Physical ballots must be received by the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods by Tuesday, June 9, 2026. Voters… [ Keep reading ]
This story originally appeared as an opinion piece in the NW Asian Weekly. by Linda Li, Seattle Department of Neighborhoods Community Liaison Traveling has always been my greatest passion. In November 2025, I visited Lugu Lake in southwest China, home to the Mosuo people and their centuries-old matrilineal culture. Surrounded… [ Keep reading ]
The Seattle Department of Neighborhoods is currently recruiting to fill vacancies on the Community Involvement Commission (CIC). The Community Involvement Commission advises the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods and other City departments on coordinated, citywide outreach and engagement activities. The Commission is dedicated to holding the City accountable for increasing participation and engagement –… [ Keep reading ]
In the heart of Seattle’s Pioneer Square Preservation District, where the scent of salt air mingles with the ghost of sawdust and steam, stands the Populus Hotel. Named for a genus of species of deciduous flowering plants in the willow family which includes the famous Quaking Aspen, this renovated historic landmark stands as a living bridge between the city’s rugged past and its green future. Just… [ Keep reading ]
On Saturday, April 25, Seattle Department of Neighborhoods’ P-Patch Community Gardening Team hosted its annual Earth Day Resource Fair for community. Community members and fellow gardeners from across Seattle gathered at the Northwest African American Museum for gardening related workshops, seed swaps, sharing resources like organic fertilizer and rodent mitigation,… [ Keep reading ]
We connected with Karen Ko, a Lions Club member and coordinator for the Seattle Sensory Garden, a project supported by the Neighborhood Matching Fund to learn about the origins of the garden, how Small Sparks grants aided the process, and why community-led projects are so important right now. Can you… [ Keep reading ]
