Seattle Parks and Recreation is finalizing the construction contract for the new Green Lake Community Boathouse at the Small Craft Center in Green Lake Park and anticipates construction will begin in mid-September 2022 and be completed by fall 2023.
Construction will affect the Green Lake path. The contractor and Seattle Parks and Recreation will work to minimize the impact to the Green Lake Park path during construction and users of the path will need to follow detour signs. Additionally, the current facility will be closed and demolished.
The new 10,800 SF boathouse will increase capacity for programs through a combination of expanded and more efficient boat storage and additional instructional space. It will be fully accessible, which makes possible the launch of Seattle’s first public adaptive rowing program and expansion of a paracanoing program. Specialized programs of Seattle Parks and Recreation will also be able to expand their work with individuals of differing physical and cognitive abilities.
Additionally, the new facility will provide restrooms, locker facilities, and areas for off-water instruction and a community meeting space. The new boathouse will better engage with Green Lake Park and the heavily used adjacent walking trail. The project will also renovate the existing public restrooms adjacent to the trail that serve all park users.
The current Small Craft Center houses the 74-year-old Green Lake Crew. Started by storied UW rowing coach Al Ulbrickson in 1948, it is believed to be the oldest public junior rowing program in the nation. In 1963, long before Title IX, the crew added a girl’s program, another first for the region.
It is also home to the 50-year-old Seattle Canoe and Kayak Club. Founded in 1969, it is the only public program in Seattle offering competitive and recreational paddling and canoeing programs.
Over the decades, both programs have introduced thousands of Seattle youth to rowing and paddling, opening doors to a diverse community, and even launching some to success on the national and international stage.
Community volunteers, in partnership with Green Lake Rowing Advisory Council, Associated Recreation Council, and Seattle Canoe and Kayak Club, advocated for the project and raised funding from both public and private sources. This project is being funded in part by private donations and grants from the Land & Water Conservation Fund, Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program, King County, Seattle Department of Neighborhoods and Seattle Parks and Recreation’s Major Projects Challenge Fund.
To stay up to date on the progress of the Green Lake Community Boathouse at the Small Craft Center visit: http://www.seattle.gov/parks/about-us/current-projects/green-lake-small-craft-center-redevelopment.
In partnership with Seattle Parks and Recreation, the public watersport programs at Green Lake are driven and sustained by three nonprofit organizations:
About Associated Recreation Council (ARC)
Seattle Parks and Recreation created this nonprofit partner in 1975 to support and enhance their work. ARC makes equitable, dynamic, culturally relevant, and responsive recreation and lifelong learning programs possible for every Seattle resident. ARC fulfills this mission with the help and support of 36 volunteer-led Advisory Councils around Seattle.
About Green Lake Rowing Advisory Council (RAC)
RAC is one of the 36 volunteer ARC Advisory Councils and guides the activities of Green Lake Crew, the first public youth rowing program in the nation at its founding in 1948. RAC supports opportunities for lifetime enjoyment of watersports on Green Lake.
About Seattle Canoe & Kayak Advisory Council (SCKC)
Founded in 1969, SCKAC is the only public program in Seattle promoting competitive and recreational paddling opportunities for all ages and ability levels.
