Seattle Parks and Recration will re-name the High Point Playfield located at 6920 34th Avenue SW, after Walter R. Hundley the first African-American superintendent for Seattle Parks.

Seattle Parks and Recreation acquired the playfield at High Point from the Seattle Housing Authority in 1977. The 11-acre playfield was developed in 1980, and features two baseball fields and a lighted sand soccer field.

Hundley held the position of superintendent from 1977 to 1988. Mr. Hundley was the prime mover in acquiring the High Point site for the community center and playfield. During his tenure the park was named to reflect the proximity to the High Point Public Housing Development.

A graduate of Yale University, he came to Seattle as a minister, but switched to a career in public service. He was a member of the Civil Rights movement in Seattle, and was the former administrator of the Central Area Motivation Project. He was director of the Model Cities Program and Director of the City of Seattle’s Office of Management and Budget.

Mr. Hundley died in 2002.

The Park Naming Committee is comprised of one representative of the Board of Park Commissioners, one representative of the Seattle City Councilmember who chairs the committee dealing with parks issues, and one representative of the Superintendent of Parks and Recreation.

For more information about the park naming process, please contact Paula Hoff, Seattle Parks and Recreation, at 206-615-0368 or paula.hoff@seattle.gov.