Park north of the University District were obtained before the 1909 A-Y-P Exposition using the right of eminent domain. Further lakeshore lands were gained from the state in 1913 with assistance from Hiram Chittenden of the Port of Seattle. The resulting construction and landscaping projects made the Park Board a significant employer, especially during times when the economy slackened. Continued development of the system In February 1968, as part of the Forward Thrust program, Seattle passed a $118 million bond issue in support of the Department of Parks and Recreation. At the time, it was the largest parks and recreation bond issue ever passed in the United States. See also List of parks in Seattle References Bibliography . External links Seattle Parks and Recreation (official website). Parks Code of the City of Seattle. Seattle Municipal Code. Seattle Parks and Recreation's Sherwood History Files. Seattle Municipal Archives. Government of Seattle Government agencies established in 1887 1887 establishments in Washington Territory