Do you use the Inner Loop at Green Lake Park? Thousands of people do every year, and we’d love to hear about your experience and listen to your ideas for how to make the loop a safe and enjoyable experience.
Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) has scheduled six listening sessions for the public to share their thoughts on use guidelines for this shared use path.
The Inner Loop was originally paved in 1969 and has since undergone many changes in how it is used. Historically, non-motorized wheels of all kinds and pedestrians have shared this path, with separated lanes for wheels and feet.
In 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, SPR prohibited wheels (except for strollers and ADA access) to create more space for users to spread out under the Superintendent’s Emergency Rulemaking Authority. At the same time, the Seattle Department of Transportation began to study the feasibility of a full outer Green Lake biking and walking loop, building off the recently completed Green Lake and Wallingford Multimodal Paving Project.
As this project had the potential to reduce crowding on the inner loop, the Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners held a public hearing in October 2021 and made a recommendation to continue to restrict wheels (excluding ADA devices and strollers) on the inner loop and to provide an update in nine months. This update was made in July and the Board asked for additional information, options, and a possible staff recommendation.
Now SPR is seeking your input to inform options. Should wheels be allowed back on the path? Do the current signs and markings work? How can we ensure the inner loop provides safe and enjoyable experiences for park visitors? How do you envision the inner loop relating to the outer loop?
We invite you to attend one of six virtual listening sessions at noon and 6:00 p.m. on September 7, 8, and 9. Each will focus on a particular user group – bikes, small wheels, and pedestrians. SPR plans to present to the Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners on September 22nd. Find more information, including meeting links, at www.seattle.gov/parks/inner-loop.