The objective of the Jefferson Park Lawn Bowling Club (JPLBC) is to promote and teach the game of Lawn Bowling, foster sportsmanship, good fellowship and friendly rivalry among members. By doing so, we hope to make our community a better place to live.
We have a long history of promoting the game of Lawn Bowling in Washington state, and are readily recognized as one of the premiere Lawn Bowling facilities in the U.S. Northwest.
Who can become a member? Anyone with an interest in Lawn Bowling. There is no experience necessary and you'll find members ready and willing to teach you.
Don't know anything about the sport? You may want to try one of our "open bowl" times where non-members can receive a free first lesson, or check out our other social lawn bowling events.
Regardless of your skill level, Jefferson Park Lawn Bowling Club invites you to become part of the game.
Membership in the Jefferson Park Lawn Bowling Club is open to anyone with an interest in lawn bowling. We welcome all skill levels, from "never bowled before" to national competitors.
Lawn bowling membership fees are per person. We aim to keep fees as low as possible and still be able to maintain the bowling greens and facility. Members volunteer time, skills and other donations help us keep membership fees some of the lowest in the country.
ACTIVE Members have full rights and privileges at Jefferson Park Lawn Bowling Club allowing them to participate in all club events, and allowing them to vote at official club meetings and serve on the Board. A portion of the Active membership fee is paid to the NW Division and to the U.S. Lawn Bowling Association (USLBA). Members receive Bowls USA magazine and are eligible to participate in division and national tournaments. $100 Annual Fee
ASSOCIATE Members have an Active membership at another club. Associate Members have full rights and privileges as Active members at JPLBC except they are not entitled to vote or serve on the Board. An Associate’s primary club pays the fees to their division and to the USLBA. $75 Annual Fee
YOUTH Membership is available to any Bowler under 18 who has a parent or guardian who is an Active or Associate member of JPLBC. Youth bowlers must demonstrate the ability to handle the bowls and respect the greens. The Youth membership is valid only at JPLBC. If a youth bowler is interested in competitive bowling at divisional or national tournaments, they must pay for an Active or Associate Membership. $65 Annual Fee
NEW MEMBERS may join anytime throughout the year. The Annual Fee is not pro-rated however. New members who join between October 1-Dec 31 receive bonus time and are paid-in-full through December 31 of the following year.(Annual Fees are from January 1 through December 31.)
A Membership Form that you can print and mail with your membership fee is available for download.
Yearly fees are from January 1 through December 31.
| TYPE | ANNUAL FEE | DISCOUNT for early RENEWAL paid before December 31st* |
| Membership Full membership to JPLBC, NW Division, and USLBA | $100 | $75 |
| Associate Membership Associate Members must have a primary membership at another lawn bowling club. Please provide the name of your primary club. (i.e.: Woodland Park) | $75 | $50 |
| Youth Membership Youth members must be under 18 and a Parent/Guardian must be a Member or Associate Member of JPLBC. | $65 | $40 |
| Locker Indicate locker number if all ready occupied. | $10 |
|
*Renewing Members receive a discount if they renew their membership for the next year by December 31. This enables the club to set the operating budget for the upcoming year and allows for a timely and accurate Roster.
In the spring of 1942, Charles P. Middleton, an avid lawn bowler, suggested that the South District Lions Club sponsor a South District Lawn Bowling Club. In response to this suggestion an organization meeting was called on March 6th 1942 by twelve charter members who elected the first officers for the South District Lawn Bowling Club. This public-spirited group prevailed upon the Seattle Parks Board to build a lawn bowling green in Jefferson Park.
With the help of the South District Lions Club, volunteers from the nearby Army Center, Club members and the Seattle Parks Board, the first green was formally opened for play on May 14th 1944. The green measured 120 ft. square and was located on the south side of the Golf Clubhouse where the driving range currently exists. The 1944 Club Roster listed the names of 43 men and 10 women. The name of the Club was formally changed from the South District Lawn Bowling Club to the Jefferson Park Lawn Bowling Club on March 9th 1945.
Within only a few years of building the new green, the Parks Department decided to expand it’s golfing facilities south, which meant the end of the first green. The Club was promised a space for two new greens to the west of the Golf Clubhouse that overlooked the City of Seattle. During 1948 and 1949 the Parks Department built the two greens we now have. The Club noted its debt of gratitude to the Parks Board by erecting the Beryl Wells (Parks Board and Club member) memorial fountain next to the only structure for the Club, the equipment shed.
The Club now had two excellent bowling greens with beautiful views of the city and the mountains but no formal clubhouse. During rainstorms, everyone would dash for their cars, and the lack of restrooms caused bowlers discomfort. On November 29th 1958 the Club learned that the little cottage located at the northwest corner of the greens was to be demolished. Club President Alex Niven persuaded the Parks Board that rather than demolition, the cottage could be converted into a clubhouse which would meet the Club’s most urgent need. The Park Board offered the Club the cottage provided the Club assumed responsibility for its repair and maintenance at no cost to the City. Through the efforts of the Club members, both physical and financial, the clubhouse became a reality.
By 1959 the Club’s membership had increased to 73 members. The little cottage had served its purpose as a clubhouse for many years but as the membership increased it was no longer adequate. At a meeting of the Club’s Board of Directors on March 9th 1968, Larry Hennings reported that the City had approved approximately $35,000.00 for the construction of a new Jefferson Park Lawn Bowling Club clubhouse. Approximately $21,000.00 of the amount allocated was to come from the “Forward Thrust” bond issue and was contingent upon the receipt of matching funds. After considerable study by the JPLBC Board, it was felt that the challenge of raising matching funds should be met. Under the leadership of Ivor Bebb, president of the Club from 1964 to 1970, the first appeal for support from the Club’s 150 members was launched on June 5th 1968. By the end of the year, pledges in the amount of $19,500.00 had been made. The names of the building fund donor’s appear on a plaque mounted on the Clubhouse wall.
On April 17th 1970, John Andrews from the Park Department and Ivor Bebb broke ground for the new clubhouse. The dedication ceremony was held on September 24th 1970. With a bagpipe prelude and a flag raising ceremony, the clubhouse key was presented to President Ivor Bebb by Seattle Mayor Wesley Uhlman. Master of ceremonies for the day was Larry Hennings.
The Jefferson Park Lawn Bowling Club is a member of the United States Lawn Bowling Association which governs national Lawn Bowling competition in the U.S.
A portion of the membership dues collected by JPLBC are paid each year to the USLBA allowing our club members to participate in national competition.
The club house and greens are located at:
4103 Beacon Ave South
Seattle, WA 98108
A map can be found here
We are no longer using the old P.O. Box for correspondence. Please send all correspondence to the club house address above.
The phone number of the club house is 206-762-2490
Our email address is info@seattlebowls.org
What's happening on Green 1 at JPLBC?
February 2008
Welcome back to JPLBC!
We have a very active season ahead of us for 2008. There are four evening leagues, tournaments and ongoing social events and activities. All of these should prove to be active, fun and competitive for everyone. Please come out for all of your favorites as well as joining in on some of the new events. Your participation is always welcomed and appreciated.
Our clubhouse has been freshened up and I look forward to continuing that momentum this year. The entry has been redesigned and planted anew to much acclaim.
Our heartfelt thanks should go out to the infamous Donut Crew for their hard work and dedication for keeping the lifeblood of the club, the greens, in tip top shape throughout all the seasons. They surveyed the older green and will continue to improve those notorious
bumps and valleys throughout the year. A long-range plan is being put in place to fine tune the green, perhaps to even develop it back into Championship form. The newer green has come back into good, bowlable shape, again with a lot of TLC. You should see many more of your games being rolled on this green in the year to come.
The other aspect of our club's success involves all of the dedicated volunteers who, season after season, give time and energy to JPLBC. Without them, JPLBC would not be where it is today. There are plenty of opportunities for becoming involved as a member. I expect throughout the year many of you may be asked to participate in some way to contribute to our success. Be prepared to step up to the mat.
Finally, I would like to thank Chuck Caddey for all his years of dedication to JPLBC. His tenacity and ability to draw new members into the fold helped the club stay on its feet for several of the past years. Without Chuck, I wouldn't have stepped up to the mat in the first place, let alone recognize when going into the ditch was a good thing.
Welcome back and see you on the greens.
Tom Lind
President, JPLBC
Welcome to the 2007 season of lawn bowling at Jefferson Park Lawn Bowling Club. Opening Day celebration is scheduled for May 5th, but there’s plenty of good bowling before then. Warm up your game, as the weather turns nice.
Open Bowl and BBQ begins April 6th and continue on Friday evenings throughout the bowling year. Lessons and practice bowling is available from 6 to 9pm. We’ll light the grill if you want to bring your dinner. All members are encouraged to bring their friends to the club for lessons, BBQ, and an enjoyable outing. New members are the lifeline of the club.
Lessons are also available on Wednesdays from 10am to 3pm for those who drop by.
We’re looking forward to a summer of good league bowling throughout the week, sign up now. Cub games and tournaments are on many Saturdays.
The greens are in great shape, warm summer days are headed our way.
Thanks to your board, I look forward to a great season and welcome back all you Jefferson Park Bowlers.