11.03.2005 ET

(CSRwire) SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 3, 2005--As part of a $1 million commitment in 2005 to improve local parks in the Puget Sound region, Starbucks Coffee Company (Nasdaq:SBUX) chairman Howard Schultz today identified three signature parks that will receive a $550,000 commitment as part of the Starbucks Parks Fund Program.

The celebration was held in Seattle's Westlake Park, where Schultz was joined by Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels, King County Executive Ron Sims, Tacoma Mayor Bill Baarsma and Aaron Pointer, Metro Parks Tacoma Board President -- as well as several other local leaders, Starbucks partners (employees) and community members.

Located in King and Pierce counties, the three park projects include King County Trails Wayfinding System, Wright Park Play and Sprayground in Tacoma, and Van Asselt Play Area in Seattle. These three recipients were selected for the significant impact the projects will have in their local communities.

"Starbucks coffeehouses are gathering places for the community," said Schultz. "We look at parks the same way -- places that mirror the character of the community, where people can reflect, reenergize and play. Through the newly created Starbucks Parks Fund, we are proud to offer these three organizations additional resources for projects that will improve the quality of our community."

The Starbucks Neighborhood Parks Program was created in 2000 to focus the Company's commitment to building community by supporting park improvement projects in King, Pierce and Snohomish Counties. Since its inception, the Starbucks Neighborhood Parks Program has provided $1.4 million in funding to help protect and revitalize 73 parks in Puget Sound.

Background on 2005 Park Fund Recipients:

-- King County Trails Wayfinding System: King County is
fortunate to have one of the largest regional trail systems in
the nation. With the support of this $250,000 commitment from
Starbucks, trail kiosks will be installed at key gateways
along the trail system, and will include maps and information
about amenities, wildlife and the larger trail system.
Gateways are intended to provide a starting point into the
system, but are also positioned to allow trail users to
quickly access local points of interest.

"Recent polls have shown that trails for hiking, biking
and walking are the public's highest funding priority
within parks and that trail usage continues to
increase. Through the support of this gift, we are now
able to put dedicated resources towards maintaining
and improving these vital connectors that knit our
regional park systems and communities together."
-- King County Executive Ron Sims

-- Van Asselt Play Area in Seattle: Van Asselt Park is located on
Beacon Hill in Seattle, adjacent to several local schools.
With the support of this $135,000 commitment from Starbucks,
Seattle Parks and Recreation will be relocating, designing and
building a new playground adjacent to the new community
center.

"Programs like the Starbucks Neighborhood Parks Program,
which represent collaboration among local
corporations, organizations and government, are
essential to this city and its citizens, and I thank
Starbucks for their support. With more than 300 parks
and open areas in Seattle and urban growth escalating --
it's critical we work together to protect and revitalize
our communities."
-- Mayor of Seattle, Greg Nickels

-- Wright Park Play and Sprayground in Tacoma: Wright Park in
Tacoma is a 20-acre park located one-quarter mile from the
downtown core. The $100,000 lead donation from Starbucks and
$65,000 in additional matching funds will support the design,
development, and construction of a new playground area,
restroom and spray-pool complex.

"This gift from Starbucks -- and the matching funds they
have offered to provide -- will be critical in
supporting our efforts to reinvent Wright Park into a
'central park' for downtown Tacoma, creating new ways
for citizens and especially kids to enjoy one of our
most precious and historic resources."
-- Aaron Pointer, Metro Parks Tacoma Board President

About Starbucks Coffee Company

Starbucks Coffee Company is the leading retailer, roaster and brand of specialty coffee in the world, with retail locations in North America, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East and the Pacific Rim. The Company is committed to offering the highest quality coffee and the Starbucks Experience while conducting its business in ways that produce social, environmental and economic benefits for communities in which it does business.

Copyright Business Wire 2005

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