For our 2025 Neighborhoods issue, we asked notable Seattleites why their corner of Seattle deserves to be in the city's top tier. Here's the case for Maple Leaf from Danae Moore, as told to Naomi Tomky.

Maple Leaf feels small, even though it’s in the city and it’s really close to a lot of things. People are very loyal to the neighborhood. There’s a cool mix of new people getting established and people who have been here for a long time, even generations in the same house. There’s a lot of artists and musicians, and a lot of parents that are really invested in our neighborhood school.

I am in favor of density [with the townhouses coming in] and am saddened by all the trees that are getting cut down, because we have a lot of really, really old trees in our neighborhood. 

I love the Reservoir Park. If it’s clear, then you get a perfect view of Mount Rainier; you can also see downtown, and it’s just beautiful. It’s been really well maintained by all the volunteers planting native plants. On 12th Avenue, there’s a house that has a little station called the Dog Oasis, and they have treats in a jar and water, and there’s a whiteboard [where] you can leave notes. 

I’m OK if it gets overshadowed, because it’s growing fast enough. I want it to stay its weird, sweet self.

Danae Moore is a graphic designer, yoga teacher, and mom who has lived in Maple Leaf since 2018. She’s also the creator of the neighborhood’s Free Little Art Gallery.