Parcels will honor Olmsted brothers

Three triangular islands on Garfield Street between 24th and 28th avenues have been named in honor of the renowned Olmsted brothers, who helped design Spokane’s park system 100 years ago.

Last Thursday, the Spokane Park Board approved naming the three islands as Olmsted Triangle Parks in recognition of the Brookline, Mass., park and residential designers.

The designation came about through a committee that included neighborhood residents, local historians and a representative of the Parks and Recreation Department, parks spokeswoman Nancy Goodspeed said in a prepared statement.

The name honors the direction given by the Olmsteds, who advocated property acquisition and park development.

“The designation also recognizes the brothers for advocating the preservation of conservation lands,” Goodspeed said.

The Olmsteds were hired by the Spokane Park Board to come up with detailed recommendations for developing the city’s park system, boulevards and conservation areas.

Stepbrothers John Charles Olmsted and Frederick Law Olmsted Jr. inherited the nation’s first landscaping practice from their father, Frederick Law Olmsted.

They were among the founding members of the American Society of Landscape Architects and were influential in creating the National Park Service, Goodspeed said.

The brothers completed numerous high-profile projects, including the Seattle park system, she said.

They also championed the City Beautiful movement, which found a welcome home in Spokane.