As Seattle Police Detective Denise “Cookie” Bouldin likes to say, the right strategy for chess applies to life, too: First, think before you make a move. Then, make the best choice, not necessarily the quickest or easiest one.
For more than a decade, Bouldin has been offering that kind of advice to her chess club, which provides a safe haven for young people of color and opportunities for all ages to interact.
Seattle Police Detective Denise “Cookie” Bouldin
When Dave Merrill heard her speak about the program at a Lions Club meeting, the owner of Merrill & Merrill Insurance knew he wanted to be involved.
“I’ve always enjoyed chess, even though I didn’t play that often,” he said. “But after hearing about how Detective Cookie relates with these kids, and how they learn life skills through the game, I was inspired.”
Pop-up parks
Merrill helps plan, set up, and host “Pop-Up Chess Parks” several times a year; each has tables with up to 20 chess boards, along with a life-size set. “These events are a way to get out, stimulate the mind, and meet all kinds of different people,” he said.
The ultimate goal, however, is the creation of the Friends of Detective Cookie Chess Park—a permanent intergenerational, multicultural space where neighbors can learn and play chess outdoors in Rainier Beach, a neighborhood in southeast Seattle.
‘What’s unique about this is that it will help foster positive engagement with law enforcement in addition to strengthening the community.’
—Michelle Benetua, Seattle Parks Foundation
“This is one of Seattle’s most diverse, vibrant neighborhoods, but it hasn’t seen similar levels of public investment as other areas,” said Michelle Benetua of the Seattle Parks Foundation, which is sponsoring the project. “What’s unique about this is that it will help foster positive engagement with law enforcement in addition to strengthening the community.”
The perfect setting
Fittingly, the park will be on a piece of land that used to be occupied by Merrill & Garrick Real Estate & Insurance—the precursor to Merrill & Merrill. Owned by the city today, the site is just six blocks from the company’s current office, which means Dave is always close by.
“These community-driven efforts simply would not happen without the time and energy given by people like Dave,” Benetua said. “Volunteers mean everything to a project like this.”
A 2020 Make More Happen Award will bring some additional funding to the table, too. The honor typically includes an initial donation of $5,000 and the opportunity to win another $5,000; however, in light of the challenges communities are facing across the country, Safeco and Liberty Mutual are donating the full $10,000 immediately to the Seattle Parks Foundation on behalf of Merrill & Merrill Insurance.
Photo courtesy of the Seattle Police Department
A diverse group of players
“This will allow us to build the permanent tables and overhead canopy for the park,” said Merrill, who serves on the steering committee. “These are key components to the success of this project.”
The pop-up events show that there is demand for a park like this, according to Benetua. “They attract a very diverse crowd in all categories—age, race, income level, ability,” she said. “I can’t wait to see a permanent place where anyone can drop by, and once we’re done with physical distancing, gather together for a game of chess.”
Share this story using the buttons to the left. Learn more about these Make More Happen Award winners here:
- Merrill & Merrill Insurance, Seattle, Washington
- Seattle Parks Foundation, Seattle, Washington
I also want to thank Dave Merrill of Merrill and Merrill Insurance for making this award possible. Dave Merrill and his family has been a wonderful supporter and volunteer of the Detective Cookie Chess Park from the start. It’s no way I can do this alone, it takes a village and I thank Dave, Erin and our other volunteers whose mission is to see the completion of the Detective Cookie Chess Park as a dream come true.
Thank you, to receive the “Make More Happen Award” from Safeco and Liberty Mutual is a honored and we truly appreciate you assisting in making the Detective Cookie Chess Park move closer to a reality of being finished. As we all know, it’s so important for youth to have activities they can enjoy and at the same time feel safe. The Detective Cookie Chess Park and Club has proven to fulfill that outlet. We look at chess as a sport of the mind. It’s a sport where you don’t have to be the fastest, the tallest, the biggest or the… Read more »
So proud of my father, Dave Merrill, for helping to make this happen!! Thank you so much Liberty Mutual and Safeco for the donation!!! Can’t wait to play chess~