Contracts & Partnerships

We are committed to partnerships that provide the greatest possible benefit to our public parks, open spaces and facilities, and to the people who use them.

We do business in many forms - contracts, memoranda of agreement, leases, temporary permits and concessions - with a wide variety of providers that include for profit and nonprofit entities that provide recreation services, arts services and food and beverage services. We base decisions about new partners on how well a proposed partner's interests align with our overall mission and on the potential benefit to the public and Seattle Parks and Recreation.

As noted in the Parks Legacy Plan, "Trust, commitment at the highest level, a shared vision, and strong communication are key elements for partnership success. Partnerships must connect to Park's mission and enhance park users' enjoyment, and involve careful attention to quality control, policy development, role definition, and risk-sharing. Doing so requires staff capacity, expertise, and time devoted to partnership development. We are  committed to continuing our rich and dynamic partnerships and to seeking new strategic partnerships throughout the community.