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The Ann Lennartz Memorial Library

The memory of Ann Lennartz lives on in this new outdoor learning center in Seward Park.

Inspired by prairie restorations in her natal state of Iowa, Ann created the Seward Park native plant garden in partnership with Seattle Parks and recreation and the landscape architect, Charles Anderson. You can see this garden by walking around the north of the building and following the path up the hill.

Ann went on to help her community restore a landfill now known as Genesee Meadows.

In 1996, Ann set up the Starflower Foundation which provided resources for reconstruction and restoration in other Seattle parks. Of these projects, massive earthwork was involved in recreating the original wetlands in Prichard Beach and Roxhill Bog, native plants we reintroduced to the historic Colman Park, meadow mound trials were created in the Greg Davis Park, the stream through the Madrona Woods was “day-lighted” and three native habitats were restored in Magnuson Park.

Ann generously supported other organized efforts along these lines throughout the state – whether large or small.

The Foundation partnered with parents, teachers, and students to create native plant gardens at Dearborn Park, Hawthrone, and Sanislo Elementary schools, Washington Middle School, and the Environmental and Adventure School.

In 1998 Ann helped found the Seattle Urban nature Project which has surveyed and mapped vegetation and habitat on public lands in Seattle that have remained naturalized.

Ann created a seed bank that was used to increase plant diversity and push plant succession in Seattle public parks, parks that now serve as models for those in other cities. Starflower funding supported experiments in restoration techniques, increased availability of diverse native plants in local nursery suppliers, and educated thousands of children and adults.

Ann loved books, especially those about the natural world. Her library has been gifted to the Seward Park Environmental and Audubon Center by the Starflower Foundation. The breadth and depth of her interests make this library an enormous asset to the Southeast Seattle Community.