Its history as a quasi neighborhood dog park is not part of the plans.
“When additional funding is allocated to further designs and develop the park for public enjoyment, the concept developed by the public shown below will inform the approach to engagement and design,” the Seattle Parks project update made earlier this month on the release of the plan reads.
The release of the concept with no immediate call for a public meeting to discuss the project is telling. The city says there will not be funding to develop the park until 2029 at the earliest.
Situated in the Harvard-Belmont Landmark District, the property was the site of the Henry mansion before a new house was built and became home to Bullitt. The family donated the land to the city in 1972 while retaining a life estate. Following her death in 2021, the parcel transitioned to city control.
Newly released design documents from Karen Kiest Landscape Architects reveal a plan for the park that emphasizes the site’s mid-century modern pedigree. The layout prioritizes “Eckbo lines,” honoring the work of landscape architect Garrett Eckbo. A new “Eckbo Loop” strolling path will circumnavigate the property, connecting to an “Eckbo Circle” junction near the Bassetti house.
The plan introduces three large gathering lawns, including a central space near the former Henry House. To improve public access, the city is planning for the historic Henry gateway off Harvard Ave E will return to service. A grand circle drive will ring the gathering lawn providing vehicle access to the park and the A-frame.
Crews will remove sections of existing fencing and hedges to open sightlines into the interior of the block.
The property from above in the summer of 2022
Accessibility is a primary driver for the new design. The main pathway follows the original Henry Drive, while new hillside paths will be graded to meet ADA standards. These improvements aim to eliminate dead ends in the current trail system, creating a continuous flow through the gardens and the existing Cass Turnbull Garden memorial area.
Current city updates maintain that full funding for park construction is not scheduled until 2029.
The site includes Bullitt’s 1955-built, H-shaped A-frame house designed by Fred Bassetti. In July 2023, the house and grounds received official Seattle landmark status, requiring all future work to meet preservation standards.
The goal is for the house to serve as a hub for wellness, education, and community connection.
Development of the park comes as Seattle Parks is struggling with public safety and maintenance issues around its small parks on Capitol Hill and in the Central District. In February, Capitol Hill’s Seven Hills Park reopened after being fenced-off in a six-month closure over public safety concerns.
Improved maintenance and increased effort around community activation have been part of the reopening including a plan for “human & hound fitness installations” in Seven Hills and other Capitol Hill parks to create a circuit of low-cost, low-maintenance workout stations.
A new 3.1-mile “Healthy Capitol Hill Hike” campaign with signage and printed maps is also part of the plan.
The next edition of the “Sounds of the Spring Breeze” concert series in Seven Hills is scheduled to run from 3 to 6 PM Saturday, April 25th in the 16th at Howell park.
Meanwhile, the Harvard Ave E park’s path to completion could take the better part of a decade.
CHS reported in 2022 on the early planning for the park project including a survey that planners said showed preferences for developing the new park land “as a quiet, contemplative place” while making space for the Cass Turnbull Garden as part of the site, a project from Seattle nonprofit Plant Amnesty honoring its late founder.
The property was also a sometimes de facto dog park as Bullitt welcomed neighbors and well-behaved canines to occasionally enjoy the parcel.
SPR has opened a portion of the site including its gardens and lawn to the public, allowing the community to utilize the green space while the Bullitt House remains closed. Under the interim plan, the grounds follow standard park operating hours from 4:00 AM to 11:30 PM.
The site has already been added to the Seattle Parks grounds crew maintenance schedule and the Park Rangers’ safety and inspection routes.
For years, the land functioned as an unofficial neighborhood green space. The interim goal is to formalize this access, allowing neighbors to enjoy the gardens and the Cass Turnbull Garden memorial area.
For now, the park remains a work in progress. While the grounds continue to serve as a quiet space in the neighborhood, the vision of a fully activated park depends on finding a partner capable of navigating the high costs of landmark restoration and broader work to complete the park remains years away.
Learn more and get updates on the plans for 1125 Harvard Ave E at seattle.gov.
The full concept plan diagram from SPR is below.
Subscribe to CHS to help us hire writers and photographers to cover the neighborhood. CHS is a pay what you can community news site with no required sign-in or paywall. To stay that way, we need you. Become a subscriber to help us cover the neighborhood for $5 a month — or choose your level of support 
