The City of Burien’s Green Burien Partnership is working to shift the narrative around green spaces, with a specific focus on Hilltop Park, the only park located in the northeast corner of the city. Our approach? Engage the community in short-term and long-term decisions and actions to improve natural spaces.
Learn about the political leaders — including local, state, and federal representatives — who have praised the work at Hilltop Park below.
It takes a village!
Partner in Employment and EarthCorps youth interns welcomed guests and partners during a meet and greet event on July 30, 2021. Port of Seattle Commissioners Stephanie Bowman and Peter Steinbrueck and Burien Mayor Jimmy Matta were joined by City staff, local organizations, and neighbors to learn more about the work happening in the park.
After introductions, partners engaged youth in conversation about Hilltop Park and career opportunities and expressed gratitude for the great work completed at the park. The youth then toured the commissioners and mayor around the work area.
EarthCorps and Partner in Employment visited the park several times in August 2021.
Federal recognition for an innovative approach
On March 24, 2022, Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal held a press conference at Hilltop Park to launch her Climate Resilience Workforce Act. She met with EarthCorps’ AmeriCorps training crews to learn about the work they are doing in the park. They in turn heard from leaders including Evlyn Andrade, executive director of EarthCorps, Laura Watson, director of the Washington State Department of Ecology, and Burien Mayor Sofia Aragon on the importance of adapting to climate change and supporting under-resourced neighborhoods. The day ended with youth and professionals sharing with one another about personal career paths.
More public leaders celebrate the work
In March 2023, Washington State Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz visited Hilltop Park to help celebrate the work and partnership that has happened at the park. She joined Burien Mayor Sofia Aragon, Highline Public Schools Chief Operating Officer Scott Logan, and students who participated in the afterschool program, in a media event where those involved in the project shared their experiences working together to enhance Burien’s parks and urban forest.
The program’s approach to fostering the next generation of environmental stewards, through partnership and inclusive practices, was praised as a model for other urban areas trying to grow and protect their urban forest.
“This is what happens when you empower people to make their communities more livable, more sustainable, and healthier,” said Franz.
Hilltop Park Activation and Reimagination Project
Read more about the Hilltop Park Activation and Reimagination
Project story.
Updated October 17, 2024
