ParkPunks is Seattle artists and environmentalists finding community together, in pursuit of justice through art and camaraderie.

Following the 2019 government shutdown, ParkPunks formed to clean local parks and trails while park employees were furloughed. When COVID came in 2020 and hobbled the local arts community, we started working to create opportunities for local artists. Because, to say in a sentence what could be a book: art is important.

We clean parks, host free arts events, do/share mutual aid efforts and pivot as new needs arise in our community.

We’re non-hierarchical. We celebrate art made by humans. We believe in radical transparency, practicing equity and efficacy in all decisions. We aim for sustainability, choosing local businesses and secondhand supplies whenever possible. And we generally try to create spaces for solidarity and action, and give support to others in our community doing the same.

We believe in listening, learning and humility.

We also believe in a more just world achieved through solidarity. Therefore: We stand with marginalized and oppressed peoples all over the world, including those in Gaza, Sudan, DRC and Myanmar. Immigrants are our neighbors, friends and family, and deserve to be safe and thrive here. Homeless people are our neighbors, friends and family, and they deserve to be safe and thrive here. We believe in reparations, including Land Back.

We know that hope for a more just world requires that we find each other. That we know who our friends are, and have anyone to stand with. And so we create opportunities to be in community with one another. While cleaning parks and celebrating art.