Seattle's first park was established in 1884 after David Denny donated land to the city and at that time a three-member park committee with limited authority was created to manage the nascent park system; a Board of Parks Commissioners was established in 1890 with control over all public parks and authority to appoint a Parks Superintendent; in 1896 the city charter created the position of Superintendent of Streets, Sewers and Parks; the Parks Department became a separate entity in 1904; in 1967 a charter amendment reconstituted the Parks Board as an advisory body and placed fiscal and administrative control of the parks under the superintendent.
From the description of Department of Parks and Recreation annual reports, 1894-1984. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 70966315
