Imagine, for a moment, South Park in Seattle transformed from warehouses to lush farmland. This transformation is more than just a dream. It’s the story of Marra-Desimone Park.
Marra-Desimone Park stands as a testament to the city’s agricultural past and diverse cultural heritage. This park provides recreational opportunities for everyone. The urban farm is one of only two historic agricultural parcels within Seattle city limits. It’s still used as active farmland. Community volunteers and nonprofit organizations support it.
Once upon a time, South Park thrived as fertile farmland. Italian and Japanese immigrants carted their goods to Pike Place Market when it opened in 1907. Among these families were the Desimones and the Marras.
Giuseppe “Joe” Desimone arrived from Naples in 1897. He started farming and became very successful. He bought swampland along the Duwamish and drained it. Joe Desimone supplied Pike Place Market with produce and owned it as its president.
Carmine Marra managed a farm in South Park for about 60 years. They grew corn, lettuce, onions, carrots, beans, peas, and zucchini. Their plot of land was originally owned by Joe Desimone.
The Marra family stopped farming the site around 1980. They sold it to King County. The tract lay fallow for about two decades. In 2005, the Marra Farm and the adjacent property were renamed Marra-Desimone Park. Seattle Parks and Recreation acquired them.
Today, Marra-Desimone Park comprises some 8.7 acres. The park houses greenhouse plots and garden plots. They are part of the P-patch community garden program. The idea was to see if small-scale community farming could work in an urban setting. Groups educate community members about organic produce cultivation. They also promote environmental stewardship and sustainability.
Groups like Seattle Youth Garden Works and Solid Ground’s Lettuce Link have taken up residence here. One of the newest tenants is Salsa de la Vida. It supports South Park’s Latino population.
In 2022, Seattle Parks and Recreation completed a major renovation of Marra-Desimone Park. There are now accessible pathways and walking loops. There is also a central open green area with benches and picnic tables. An irrigation system with solar-powered controls was installed. More than 80 trees and grasses were planted.
Marra-Desimone Park has reflected the diverse cultural heritage of the neighborhood for over a century. When you visit the park today, follow the trail that surrounds the garden area. Imagine the Desimone and Marra families who worked hard to preserve this land for future generations. They created this fertile space for us to enjoy.