Rotary Viewpoint

Breathtaking Views

The main draw at this compact green space is a set of panoramic views stretching across the Cascade Mountains and the downtown Seattle skyline. You can also take in the verdant expanse of the West Seattle Golf Course to the east - ideal for a moment of quiet reflection or simply soaking in the beauty of the Pacific Northwest.

The park sits at the corner of SW Alaska Street and 35th Avenue SW in West Seattle's Delridge neighborhood. Just be aware that the vegetation sometimes partially blocks some views, but the local Rotary Club does swing by periodically to keep things tidy.

What You'll Find

The heart of the park features a circular paved area surrounded by benches where you can sit back and take in the stunning vistas. There's also a newer ADA-accessible picnic table, ensuring everyone can enjoy this special spot.

Long, grassy triangular slopes extend to the north and south from the main area, giving you extra space to stretch out on a blanket or toss a ball around when it's not crowded.

Robin Young's thunderbird totem pole at the viewpoint, carved in 1976

Photo: SounderBruce (CC BY-SA 2.0)

A Community Creation

Back in the early 1970s, this spot was just an overlooked piece of city property that nobody paid much attention to. That changed in 1974 when the Rotary Club of West Seattle adopted it as a community project, transforming the neglected land into a public viewpoint over nearly three years.

The entire project cost about $3,000 and was completely volunteer-driven. On August 10, 1976, the park was officially presented to Seattle's Mayor Wesley C. Uhlman during a ceremony attended by local officials and neighborhood residents.

A northward view of the Seattle skyline from Rotary Viewpoint

Photo: SounderBruce (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Cultural Heritage

The park's most striking feature is undoubtedly its 18-foot totem pole that stands tall against the Seattle sky. Carved in 1976 by Robin Young, a Native American artist from South Dakota, the pole is crowned with a magnificent thunderbird with outstretched wings.

The red cedar log features additional carvings that represent various elements of Pacific Northwest history. The park honors Norman A. "Normie" Beers, a dedicated Rotarian, Chamber of Commerce member, and West Seattle community advocate who led the charge in creating this special place.

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Recent History

In 2009, the park experienced a bit of drama when the totem pole was briefly stolen. Thankfully, it was recovered and subsequently restored. This incident led to a meaningful re-dedication ceremony on August 10, 2010, which included participation from leaders of the Duwamish tribe and members of the Haida Tribe.

Today, the Rotary Club of West Seattle continues to look after the park, occasionally refreshing the landscape with new plantings and organizing cleanup efforts in collaboration with Seattle Parks.