Join us for a ribbon cutting celebration
Seattle Parks and Recreation along with the Friends of Pathways Park and the Seattle Parks Foundation invite the community to explore the all new Pathways Park and participate in a ribbon cutting event on June 8, 2024 from 1 to 4 p.m. Please join us at the renovated Pathways Park (formerly Burke-Gilman Playground), 5201 Sand Point Way NE.
All are encouraged to attend and participate in Afrobeat dancing, yoga, music from DJ Kimere, sensory planting activities, drag story hour with Aleksa Manila, Southern Lushootseed language lessons with Nancy Jo Bob, food from Frelard Tamales and more!
This park was created with and for people of all ages, abilities, and identities. It was designed for universal inclusive play, exceeding the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) design standards. The renovated park includes a sensory garden, a treehouse overlook deck with porch swings, covered shelter & BBQs, spinning & climbing play area, swings and renovated restrooms. 100% of the features are accessible to all. Other improvements throughout the park include pedestrian lighting, improved storm water management, irrigation, art elements, site furnishings, bike racks, parking enhancement and more. Protective fencing will remain in areas around the park to allow newly planted vegetation to become established.
“We are so excited to open this renovated park that focuses on inclusion and universal inclusive play for all kids. The park’s design and footprint is the largest accessible playground every built in Seattle and reflects our core values in community collaboration, design, innovation and commitment to improve public spaces,” said AP Diaz, Seattle Parks and Recreation Superintendent. “I want give a special recognition to Bayshore Construction who has been doing great work at the site and worked hard to have this renovation completed for the Greater Greener Conference.”
“At Seattle Parks Foundation, we believe that equity is critical in our public spaces. We are thrilled that Pathways Park is now open with its leading innovative design to ensure youth of all abilities can enjoy nature play. Through the leadership of passionate community members, the strong support of Seattle Parks and Recreation, and generous donors passionate about this project, we have built a truly special public space for kids,” said Rebecca Bear, Seattle Parks Foundation.
The park renovation project was inspired by Eli, a young community member who happened to have Down syndrome and the superpower of inclusion. Landscape architects at Site Workshop and the Eli’s Park Project led the design effort and worked with SPR and the neighborhood to create a beautiful, safe, inclusive and accessible space for all.
The approximately $6.5 million public/private project includes $4.2 million from local city, county and state grants and $2.3 million from Seattle Parks Foundation donors.
This neighborhood park along Sand Point Way is connected to the Burke-Gilman Trail. In May 2022 it was renamed from Burke-Gilman Playground Park to Pathways Park. Please consider biking, walking, transit or carpooling to the event. The parking around the park area will be reserved for those with limited mobility. Seattle Children’s Hospital is providing their Sand Point Learning Center parking lot just a mile up the road. They are donating the use of their employee shuttles and drivers to take people between the lot and park from 12:30 pm to 4:30 pm.*Please note the employee shuttles are not ADA accessible and do not have any medical equipment or staff onboard.
To learn more about the project please visit https://www.seattle.gov/parks/about-us/projects/pathways-park—burke-gilman-playground-renovation or for questions contact Roma Shah at Roma.shah@seattle.gov. Thank you to the Seattle Parks Foundation, the Eli’s Park Project and the community. To learn more about who inspired this project and how to support it visit Pathways Park – Seattle Parks Foundation.
