Red Barn Ranch Improvements

Updated: December 23, 2024

Winter 2025

The 40-acre Red Barn Ranch is in rural King County, southeast of Auburn. The site was originally developed as a youth camp and included a dormitory, swimming pool, horse-back-riding corrals, tennis courts, and other buildings in support of the youth camp. Most of the site was constructed in the 1970s. The property is roughly bisected by a drainage line and low point running north to south and ringed by second-growth woodland. Vehicular access and the majority of structures and infrastructure are located on the northwest corner of the site adjacent SE 340th Street and Lake Moneysmith Road.

The project approach is divided into three phases to support the project vision and impacts. We are currently in the first phase of planning:

Early Engagement and Planning: The first phase focuses on early stakeholder meetings around operations, programming and funding, and growing partnerships with anchoring organizations (Seattle Parks, EarthCorps, Buffalo Soldiers and Boys and Girls Club of King County).

Project Vision

Red Barn Ranch is dedicated to promoting positive social, physical, and emotional health outcomes for African American youth and other historically underserved youth. Through nature-based programs, skill-building opportunities, and the nurturing of healthy relationships, Red Barn Ranch empowers youth to build meaningful connections with both nature and each other.

The City of Seattle is engaging with EarthCorps, Buffalo Soldiers, Parents for Student Success, King County Boys and Girls Club, Seattle Public Schools, and other non-profit partners to collaborate on reviving and renovating Red Barn Ranch. Early partnerships in Spring and Summer of 2024 focused on day camps run by Buffalo Soldiers and King County Boys and Girls Club. These camps were complimented with small scale restoration, trails and garden building work led by EarthCorps. Given the project’s location in King County near Auburn it is well situated to become a valuable community resource for the surrounding County and city of Auburn residents in addition to the city of Seattle.

Project Approach

The project approach is divided into three phases to support the project vision and impacts:

Basic Site Improvements: The second phase will focus on basic site improvements to allow for safe access for day camps, early restoration, and community events. With additional funding, the second phase will add basic indoor facilities to expand programming capacity, environmental restoration, curriculum development, and partner-driven programming. Several of the existing structures from the original Red Barn Ranch camp will need to be demolished, accessibility will need to be improved, and basic site infrastructure (water, sewer, electrical) will need to be updated. This phase of work will also introduce a series of trails to support youth activities and community access. Additionally, early land management will begin to remove areas of significant invasive plants and take steps toward broader ecological restoration and partial reforestation of the site. Work will occur through a mixture of youth and community participation and volunteer events, Seattle Parks Department maintenance, and third-party contracting.

Enhanced Site Development: The third phase will look to add retreat and indoor overnight facilities including full renovation of the assembly building. Continued site restoration and maintenance according to land management plan, and agriculture development will also be explored.

Location

Red Barn Ranch; 17601 SE Lake Moneysmith Rd, Auburn, WA 98092

Schedule

Planning: Spring 2024 - Early 2025
Design: TBD
Construction: TBD

Budget

$30,000 for planning - The remaining project budget and scope are contingent on additional funding sources.

Red Barn Ranch History

39-acre site, developed as a recreational camp with farm space

1966: Elgin Baylor purchased property and advocated to develop the Red Barn Ranch to be used as a youth sports camp. Black property ownership in service for Black youth.
1970: City purchased Property with RCO funding
1971-83: SPR renovated property & operated youth camp
1983-1994: Site used for contracted recreation uses and education programming, with periodic site closures
1995-2011: Camp Berachah operated equestrian camp
2011-14: Camp Berachah & Seattle Tilth incubator farm
2014-18: Seattle Tilth farm operations alone
2018-present: Site vacant

Community Participation

Please watch this page for opportunities to participate in the engagement process.