Seattle’s waterfront is gearing up for summer with the reopening of Myrtle Edwards Park (Seattle Parks and Recreation) and Centennial Park (Port of Seattle) on the morning of June 4. Together, these parks provide more than a mile of shoreline and 16 acres of open, public park space where people can stroll, bike, relax, and enjoy Elliott Bay. To prepare for opening, both Myrtle Edwards and Centennial Parks, including the shared use path, will be closed from 7 PM on Wednesday, June 3, to 7 AM on Thursday, June 4.
Elliott Bay Connections (EBC) is a public-private partnership to connect, restore, and revitalize public parks along the Elliott Bay waterfront from Waterfront Park (at Pier 62) to The Beach at Expedia Group (just before Pier 91). The EBC project is funded entirely by private philanthropy.
A new greenway connecting Waterfront Park to the Olympic Sculpture Park opened in April 2026, and construction of park improvements and plantings are underway in Myrtle Edwards and Centennial Parks. A shared use path remains open in both parks.
Park Improvements
EBC project improvements to Myrtle Edwards and Centennial Parks include:
- Refreshed park landscapes with abundant native plantings, including new lawns, meadows, and trees that flourish in coastal conditions
- haʔłali (“The Good Place”), a new public amenities building, with restrooms. Visitors will also be able to enjoy a new food and beverage experience beginning in early June, when beloved local Scandinavian coffee shop Café Hagen opens in the haʔłali building.
- Restored and revitalized park amenities, including brand new picnic tables and seating, wayfinding, and lighting
- Improved public access to two beach coves in Myrtle Edwards Park, and enhanced shoreline habitat
- New children’s exploration area
- Repaired and enhanced pedestrian and bike trails
- New wayfinding and directional signage
- Accessibility improvements including access to key areas in both parks
Public access was maintained along the outer trail throughout construction of the parks, which began in March 2025.
New Greenway
On April 21, the new greenway constructed as part of the EBC project opened for public use. This beautiful landscaped multi-use path connects Waterfront Park (at Pier 62) to the Olympic Sculpture Park (at Pier 70) and replaces obsolete trolley tracks and sidewalk. Read more about the greenway on the SDOT Blog.
Design and construction were entirely funded by private philanthropy, and private support is funding the project through the warranty period as well as maintenance and landscape care during the initial establishment period of the new plantings and trees. The parks are owned and operated by the City of Seattle and Port of Seattle. The Downtown Seattle Association continues to be the implementation partner.
Growing In
Throughout the parks’ combined 16-acres, landscapes were planted with abundant native plantings, including newly seeded lawns, pollinator meadows, and trees that flourish in coastal conditions. The young plants, shrubs, and trees will need time to grow and become fully mature. Temporary post and rope fencing have been installed to protect plants while they grow. We ask park visitors to stay out of these areas and adhere to other posted park rules.
