(William E.) Moshier Memorial Park & Art Center
430 South 156th Place
15 Acres
Moshier Park actually began in downtown Burien. In 1904 Alexander and Zilla Bigelow, having walked five miles from South Park to Burien, purchased five acres on the north side of 152nd at 4th Ave. S.W. Their neighbors were the Garfield Mercer and Will Hill families. The Bigelows slept in an old tent and hauled water from a spring near Five Corners until they could get their "lumber in and a shack built." Alexander was a hard worker: he cut and split rails and posts; cut, peeled and dug post holes for the first telephone line in Burien; and traveled to Seattle--the first five miles on foot--in search of odd jobs.
Eventually the Bigelows donated property on 4th Ave. S.W. and S.W. 152nd for a county playfield. In subsequent years of commercial and retail growth, this area became the heart of the Burien business district, and the property was exchanged for a parcel at 6th Avenue South and South 156th, which featured a playfield and clubhouse.
In 1956 George Wyse became superintendent of King County Parks, a position he held until 1976. Wyse oversaw the expansion of park use of school facilities, and the signing of the first contract with the Highline School District in 1958 for joint park-school use. The Parks Department developed the outdoor facilities at Moshier Park, and gained the use of the Highline High School gym (and, possibly, Highline Memorial Stadium) for recreational programs.
The "Highline Project" at Highline High School was promoted by Associated Clubs of South King County. Bill Moshier of Shorewood was active in this group and influential in developing the plan for the extensive array of ball fields. When Bill died suddenly, Moshier Field was named in his memory. Moshier served as a King County Commissioner in 1958, and was one of the initial members of Metro's 15-member governing Council.
In 1962 King County established the first county arts center and year-round arts program at William Moshier Memorial Park. Between 1962 and 1972 the Center was redesigned to accommodate pottery and jewelry programs.
In 1968 King County voters approved Proposition 6, a Forward Thrust Parks and Recreation bond, which included $39,400 for facilities improvements at Moshier Park. The Moshier complex included three lighted softball/baseball fields, one lighted 90-foot softball/baseball field, two lighted football/soccer fields and public restroom.
Moshier Park was one of nine King County Parks in Burien that was transferred to the City in 1994.
This project was
developed through a Heritage Special Projects Program grant funded by
4Culture and with the assistance
of the
Highline
Historical Society.