The Long Road to Opening Day
The site took on the Hendrix name in 2006, though the park itself needed more than ten years to come together. In December 2011, plans for its opening were announced next door at the Northwest African American Museum, with the hope of welcoming visitors in 2012 for the 70th anniversary of the musician's birth.
That date slipped. By summer 2013 the city had approved a design, while the land itself was still a broad grassy field. The approved plan called for pathways and plantings laid out in the shape of a guitar, a fitting tribute to the man the park celebrates.
The gates finally opened to the public on June 17, 2017. Young musicians from the Bellevue School of Rock launched the celebration with a performance of "Purple Haze," one of Hendrix's best-known songs.
Who Paid for the Park
A blend of public and private money brought the park to life. City funds covered part of the cost, and donations came from the Nisqually Tribe and from Janie Hendrix, the musician's stepsister.
Pair Your Visit With the Northwest African American Museum
Make a fuller outing by stopping at the Northwest African American Museum, which shares the same block with the park. The two sit side by side, and the museum is where the park's opening plans were first announced.
Before you go, check with Seattle Parks and Recreation, which manages the site, for current hours, rules and any events at Jimi Hendrix Park.
Parks and Landmarks Within a Short Walk
Green spaces cluster in the blocks around the park, so it is easy to stretch one stop into a longer stroll. The distances below are straight-line estimates.
- Colman School, a city landmark, under 0.1 mile away
- Colman Playground, about 0.1 mile
- I-90 Lid (Blue Dog Pond), an off-leash dog area, about 0.1 mile
- Benvenuto Viewpoint, about 0.1 mile
- Blue Dog Pond, about 0.2 mile
- Sam Smith Park, about 0.2 mile
- Atlantic Street Park, about 0.2 mile
- Judkins community garden, about 0.3 mile
Get to know the surrounding streets with our guide to the Atlantic neighborhood, and when you are ready for more open space, browse our full list of Seattle parks.
