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Celebrating the grand opening of Detective Cookie Chess Park!

by on September 26, 2022
Detective Denise “Cookie” Bouldin cuts the ribbon to officially open the new chess park to the community. Photo credit: Mariam Ali

This past weekend, community members in Southeast Seattle celebrated the grand opening of Detective Cookie Chess Park in Rainier Beach! Mayor Bruce Harrell, Seattle Police Chief Adrian Diaz, Detective Cookie, SDOT Director Greg Spotts, and other City staff joined together with community members to commemorate the new park.

This project has been a true One Seattle effort – we partnered with the Seattle Police Department, Seattle Parks and Recreation, the Mayor’s Office, and other City departments to center the community’s vision for this space, and help make the new park a reality.

Now that construction is complete and the park is open, kids and chess enthusiasts of all ages can begin enjoying the new amenity! Here are a few photos from the recent grand opening event that took place on Saturday, September 24.

Kids and adults play the first games of chess at the newly opened Detective Cookie Chess Park in Rainier Beach. A row people playing chess at a table is in the foreground, with a crowd of people attending the celebration standing in the background.
Kids and adults play some of the first games of chess at the newly opened Detective Cookie Chess Park in Rainier Beach. Photo credit: Mariam Ali
Detective Cookie takes in the moment while speaking at a podium at the newly opened chess park. Detective Cookie stands with her arms raised high in celebration, with other attendees visible in the background. Two large king and queen artistic statues are also in the background.
Detective Cookie takes in the moment while speaking at a podium at the newly opened chess park. Photo credit: Mariam Ali
Northwest Tap Connection dancers perform at the new park, as part of the community celebration. Three tap dancers are dancing on wooden boards, with large chess pieces in the foreground, and people watching the performance.
Northwest Tap Connection dancers perform at the new park, as part of the community celebration. Photo credit: Shamia Vinson

Team SDOT has supported the park’s construction from the start. In recent months, our crews installed sidewalk enhancements along S Barton Pl, a new landscaped planting strip, a seat wall and concrete bench, light poles, a paved chess board plaza, pawn posts, and 12 chess tables and stools. We also installed electrical upgrades and improved the solar-powered lights that illuminate the King & Queen chess piece artwork!

About Detective Cookie and the park

  • Detective Denise “Cookie” Bouldin has been with the Seattle Police Department (SPD) for over 35 years.
  • She runs a chess club out of the Rainier Beach Community Center, library, and several schools throughout the area.
  • Det. Cookie also runs anti-violence youth workshops to promote safety in the community.
  • To honor Det. Cookie’s work with children and families, the community began to work on a permanent Chess Park at Rainer Beach.
  • The park is a symbol of Det. Cookie’s work with youth and a continuation of efforts towards racial equity, youth opportunities, and anti-violence.

Thanks again to everyone for a great partnership. We’re excited to see the park in action, with kids coming together to enjoy the game of chess.

A graphic with the words "Detective Cookie Chess Park" and "Detective Cookie Chess Club". A person holds a black pawn chess piece, with a green and yellow background.
Detective Cookie Chess Park is now open to the community! We are proud to have supported this project. Graphic: SDOT.
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