Starbucks 'Ultimate Park Makeover' in White Center to bring a vital resource to a vibrant community

Company's gift, volunteer help key to King County Park transformation

Hundreds of Starbucks and community volunteers, and King County Parks staff, begin a 7-day transformation of White Center Heights Park.

» Parks Makeover Video

With a “one-two-three” countdown, hundreds of Starbucks and White Center community volunteers and King County employees wielded shovels, rolls of sod and a can-do spirit to help kick off a seven-day White Center Heights Park transformation this morning.

The Starbucks “Ultimate Park Makeover,” backed by a $550,000 gift from Starbucks, will continue through the week with approximately 1,500 volunteers expected to participate. Most of the work on the previously under-developed King County Parks property will continue behind a draped fence, with a grand unveiling scheduled for June 15.

The White Center Heights Park makeover is part of a renaissance in unincorporated southwestern King County, where a large immigrant community representing 80 nationalities lives and works.

“Like coffee shops, parks can become great community gathering places,” said Starbucks Coffee Company Regional Marketing Manager, Heywood McGuffee. “We’re committed to community at Starbucks and this project gives us a fantastic opportunity to help build community in one of the most diverse neighborhoods in the country.”

“The Starbucks Ultimate Park Makeover is a great example of King County Parks’ commitment to finding innovative way of doing business,” said King County Parks Director, Kevin Brown. “We pride ourselves on finding partners such as Starbucks Coffee Company who will work with us and the community to increase amenities which make our neighborhoods better places to live.“

Barbeque pits, a stage, picnic tables and a community plaza, a flower garden, a pea patch garden and rain cistern to irrigate the property are among the many features that will adorn the nearly six-acre park. Many of these features were suggested by White Center residents and school children during a two month public process.

University of Washington Landscape Architecture students worked with the community to design features that would make the park a well-used gathering space for the diverse neighborhood.

White Center Heights Elementary School, the Southwest Boys and Girls Club and the new Greenbridge residential community are near the park, which should become a centerpiece of White Center.

The park will also feature a sculpture dedicated to fallen King County Sheriff’s Deputy Steve Cox, who was deeply respected by the White Center community and who gave his life in the line of service.

About Starbucks
Starbucks Coffee Company provides an uplifting experience that enriches people’s lives one moment, one human being, and one extraordinary cup of coffee at a time. To share in this experience, visit www.starbucks.com\giving.

About King County Parks
King County Parks – Your Big Backyard, offers more than 25,000 acres of parks and natural lands, including such regional treasures as Marymoor Park and Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park, 175 miles of regional trails, plus pools and a world-class aquatics center. By cultivating strong relationships with non-profit, corporate and community partners, King County Parks enhances park amenities while reducing costs. Learn more at www.metrokc.gov/parks/wch.