Dreaming of a school that morphed into an artist’s haven and back again? That is Cedar Park in Seattle. This neighborhood has a unique story. It involves schools, art, and community.
Cedar Park gets its name from the plats. These plats subdivided land near Lake Washington. The Puget Mill Company previously owned this land. Subdivision happened in the 1920s. Development was slow initially. Vacation cottages dotted the lakefront until World War II. After 1945, single-family homes became common. Many houses you see in Cedar Park today date from the 1950s to 1970s.
Neighborhood boundaries are debated even today. Some say Cedar Park only includes the original platted area. Others believe it stretches from 35th Avenue NE to Lake Washington. It extends from NE 145th Street to NE 120th Street. The Cedar Park Neighborhood Council represents this larger area.
Cedar Park became part of Seattle in 1954. This happened when Seattle’s city limits expanded north to 145th Street. Cedar Park Elementary School served the neighborhood from 1956 to 1981. The school was located at NE 135th Street and 37th Avenue NE. Falling enrollment led to its closure.
But the story does not end there. The city leased the school to Artwood Studios. This artists’ enclave thrived for 32 years. Imagine classrooms filled with art. The school became an unexpected home for creativity. It was home to the studio longer than it had been a school.
In 2013, the city reactivated the school. Changing enrollment numbers prompted this decision. Artwood Studios had to move. Cedar Park Elementary reopened. Today, students attend John Rogers Elementary, Jane Addams Middle School, and Nathan Hale High School by default. Cedar Park Elementary is now an option school. It uses a non-traditional curriculum based on expeditionary learning.
The former school playground is now Cedar Park. It is a small local playground and play area. Children laugh where students once learned. The Burke-Gilman Trail runs through Cedar Park. It parallels the Lake Washington shoreline.
Cedar Park has changed a lot. It started as vacation cottages. It then became a residential area. The school transformed into an art studio and back again. The neighborhood reflects Seattle’s growth. It has adapted to changing needs. The median home value is around $914,780. The median rent is about $2,145. About 16% of families have children.
Cedar Park is more than just houses and streets. It is a community with a history. It is a place where art and education intertwine. As you explore Cedar Park, remember its journey. It’s a story of transformation and resilience. It is the story of Cedar Park.