Arts commission backs design for Rebecca Howard Park in Olympia

By Lorilyn Lirio

A development plan for Rebecca Howard Park features public art throughout the property, offering new opportunities for artists to showcase Olympia’s Black history and culture.

Designed with guidance from the city’s Black community, the park plan incorporates art throughout its layout, offering multiple spaces for murals, sculptures, performances and storytelling installations.

The Olympia Arts Commission expressed support for the project during a meeting on Thursday, Dec. 12.

Commission members praised the park’s innovative approach to representation, community engagement and creative opportunities. Commissioners agreed to draft a letter to the Olympia City Council underscoring the park’s focus on showcasing African American artists, entrepreneurs and community builders.

“This is about more than just creating a park,” Commissioner Sergio Garcia said. “It’s about visibility, representation and honoring the rich cultural contributions of Olympia’s Black community.”

Associate Parks Planner Sarah Giannobile presented the completed park development plan, saying the design goes beyond traditional green spaces.

The plan draws inspiration from “Sankofa,” a word and symbol from Ghana representing the importance of understanding the past to move forward.

The plan features a circular layout meant to symbolize connection and continuity, reflecting both historical roots and future possibilities for the community.

The design emerged from an intensive engagement process that included nine steering committee meetings between October 2024 and July 2025, with input from Black community members, cultural advocates and design consultants.

Giannobile said the park’s central feature is its integration of public art. She introduced a digital storytelling website documenting local Black history, which artists can use as inspiration for site-specific installations.

Potential art opportunities include:

Storytelling pathways narrating the journeys of local community builders

Sculptural wayfinding markers highlighting Black entrepreneurs

Plant-based art installations celebrating land stewardship and healing

Seating walls embedded with historical narratives

The park’s multipurpose community hub is going to replace an existing 1930s building, providing space for workshops, youth-led education, creative programming and small performances.

City planners are exploring public-private partnerships for a café space, which would also serve as a venue for rotating art displays and pop-up events.

Funding

Recognizing the complexity of large-scale urban projects, the park is going to be built in phases. The city plans to dedicate 1% of construction funding to support artistic elements as development proceeds.

Giannobile described plans for Rebecca Howard Park as more than a physical space.

“This is a platform for storytelling, healing and celebrating the rich cultural contributions of Olympia’s Black community,” Giannobile said.

The commissioners praised the project for centering Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) artists and community narratives. Garcia called it an important step for visibility and representation in public spaces.

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