Parkways Seattle Parks and Recreation

Seattle Park and Recreation (SPR) and the United Indians of All Tribes (UIATF) are happy to announce the design of the Canoe Carving House, as part of the Northwest Native Canoe Center, is moving forward with the goal of being under construction in 2022. The community-initiated project will celebrate the canoe culture that is dominant among the Pacific Northwest coastal tribes and will be located on the west shore of Lake Union in Lake Union Park, 860 Terry Ave. N. The facility will have a green-roof and will provide space for an ongoing Native American canoe carving program, and storage for canoes that will be hand-launched into the lake during operating hours. Docents will also explain the Northwest Native American skills and beliefs used over generations in building canoes.

“This first phase of the Northwest Native Canoe Center (the Canoe Carving House) has been a dream of ours for many years,” said Mike Tulee, Executive Director of UIATF. “The facility fits directly into our mission and will provide educational and cultural opportunities that reconnect Indigenous people to their heritage and will strengthen their sense of belonging.”

The Northwest Native Canoe Center is part of the Lake Union Park Master Plan. SPR contributed funding for the project through the 2008 Parks and Green Spaces Levy Opportunity Fund and hired Jones & Jones Architects to design the project. UIATF secured the additional funding for the Carving Canoe House.

“First, I would like to acknowledge that this project is going to be built on the shore of Lake Union, the traditional lands and waters of the Duwamish people. The building will be a celebration of the Coast Salish canoe culture and remind people of our indigenous communities, past, present and future,” said Jesús Aguirre, Superintendent at Seattle Parks and Recreation.  “I want to thank United Indians of All Tribes for their great partnership and for creating an educational opportunity for all that reinforces the connection to the original inhabitants of this land. The Northwest Native Canoe Center incorporates Seattle Parks and Recreation’s values of equity, opportunity, access and sustainability. We are excited to be moving into the construction phase of this project.”

The entire center will comprise of the Canoe Carving House and the Welcome House. The Welcome House will provide educational interactive displays, a gift shop, a catering kitchen and a multi-use space for cultural events.  UIATF is launching fundraising efforts for the Welcome House portion of the project. Please visit United Indians of All Tribes Foundation’s website to contribute-Unitedindians.org. Once funding is secured SPR and UIATF will move forward with the second phase of the Center. 

For more information, please visit http://www.seattle.gov/parks/about-us/current-projects/northwest-native-canoe-center or contact David Graves at David.Graves@seattle.gov.

Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR), Seattle Department of Neighborhoods, and Seattle Sports Complex Foundation invite the community to participate in an online meeting on Tuesday, June 29, 2021 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. to learn about the project to date, review the consultant work and community input, and discuss the feedback and recommended direction from SPR. Please register at https://tinyurl.com/Lowman-Mtg3  Password: a6MWeF3Aff8. Or, join by phone at 206-207-1700 Code: 1872 55 9987.

At Lowman Beach Park, 7017 Beach Dr. S W., the existing tennis court will be removed as part of the Shoreline Restoration and Seawall Replacement project. The Seattle Sports Complex Foundation applied for Neighborhood Matching Funds and hired HBB Landscape Architects to prepare a study and lead the public engagement to discover if a tennis court (or other racket sports) could be added to the park.  

Two public meetings have been held and three concepts were reviewed. After reviewing the work from the community and the design team, SPR recommends either adding a pickleball court (and saving the swings) or allowing for no additional change than the beach restoration project. SPR does not support the tennis court concept. 

SPR’s recommendation takes into account the park location, its unique characteristics, proximity to other tennis courts, and future maintenance impacts. In addition, SPR reviewed the images from the public meetings, phone calls, emails, and the extensive community outreach to inform this decision. The decision also supports SPR’s Strategic Plan as the Healthy Environment section calls out preserving a healthy ocean and marine environment that contribute to the health of the Seattle and Pacific ecosystem and a balance between active and passive recreation.  

SPR did hear from the community about the importance of racket courts and has worked out an agreement with Seattle Public Schools to open the six courts at the Southwest Athletic Complex. The courts are free for drop-in unless reserved at the Amy Yee Tennis Complex. Information about court reservations can be found here: https://www.seattle.gov/parks/reserve/tennis-court-reservations#City%20Parks%20Courts.

For more information, please visit https://www.seattle.gov/parks/about-us/current-projects/lowman-beach-racket-court-design or contact Pam Kliment at pamela.kliment@seattle.gov or 206-684-7556.

Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) invites the community to visit the South Lake Union Community Center Online Open House at slucc.infocommunity.org. The future center will be located at the corner of Mercer Street and Dexter Ave. SPR and the design team from NBBJ have collected community feedback and are excited to share how the input has helped shape the schematic design, floor plan and programming spaces.

The new center will be a welcoming space for all and visible from the street with easy access for pedestrians, cyclists and people traveling by mass transit. Key features of the center include a full-size basketball court, fitness area, and childcare. The project is a private-public partnership that will develop a Lake Union neighborhood community center operated by SPR and located on the ground floor of a private development.

For more information, please visit www.seattle.gov/parks/about-us/current-projects/south-lake-union-community-center  or contact David Graves at david.graves@seattle.gov or 206-684-7048.

Seattle Parks and Recreation is moving forward with a three-part planning process at Magnuson Park that will:

• develop a Circulation Plan and identify future improvements for all modes of transportation to, from and through the park
• identify the preferred location and layout for a future comfort station (a.k.a. restrooms)
• recommend updates to the existing wayfinding system within the park and historic district

SPR encourages the community to participate in the second online meeting for the Magnuson Park Circulation Plan and Comfort Station Feasibility Study on Tuesday, June 22, 2021 from 6 to 7 p.m. Please join us online! To register for this meeting: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJwtc-irqjkpEt2r8DiGtCcl-pAwk-a4lO1w

During the online presentation by SPR and our consultants, Heffron Transportation and MIG, the community can learn about and provide input on:

• preliminary recommendations for high-priority circulation improvements throughout Magnuson Park and the Sand Point Historic District
• recommended improvements to existing signage
• recommended placement and estimated costs for a new comfort station

If community members are unable to participate online SPR the meeting will be recorded and posted on the project website. Additionally, SPR  will host a pop-up event in the park.  Please join us Monday, June 21, from 5 – 7 p.m. on the south side Building 30 Hangar (6310 NE 74th Street). If you attend this event in the park please observe all Covid protocol. Social distance and if you are not vaccinated, wear a mask.

Magnuson Park is located in the Sand Point neighborhood at 7400 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115.

To learn more about the project please visit http://www.seattle.gov/parks/about-us/current-projects/magnuson-park-circulation The online event offers interpretation and for in person interpretation in the park please contact: Kevin.Bergsrud@seattle.gov 48 hours or more in advance of the event in order to secure supporting services.

Large, covered performance pavilion and reopened play area ready for summer in Seattle

One of downtown Seattle’s oldest public plazas is ready for year-round activity in the heart of Pioneer Square. Occidental Square is now home to a brand-new pavilion, a large timber structure topped with a glass roof, producing a 90-foot-wide covered area at the south end of the square. At the north end, the Occidental play area has reopened after being closed for more than a year during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Managed and programmed by the Downtown Seattle Association and Metropolitan Improvement District since 2015, Occidental Square has provided a vibrant hub of activity to the Pioneer Square neighborhood. The park’s growing popularity with free games, café seating, art installations and regular free events led to partners and donors investing in amenities that will enhance the park’s aesthetics and expand the way this space can be used.

The best urban parks are the ones that can utilized year-round and invited a variety of activities. With this large, covered area, the pavilion provides that multi-season use in Occidental Square,” said DSA President & CEO Jon Scholes. “The pavilion also adds to the ways in which we can program this space and produce a wider array of activities in all seasons. Our partners and generous donors have truly enhanced this park.”

“The Alliance for Pioneer Square is excited for this beautiful addition to Occidental Square, and for the opportunity for locals and visitors to experience the park in a new way as we recover from the pandemic,” said Alliance for Pioneer Square Executive Director Lisa Howard. “We are grateful to our project partners for their investment in making this space even more welcoming and vibrant as we all rediscover Pioneer Square.”

“Today is a momentous day with Seattle leading the country in vaccinations. 70% of residents are now fully vaccinated and our downtown public spaces and businesses are ready to welcome us back,” said Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan. “The Occidental Square Pavilion will serve as a space for residents and visitors to gather for cultural events, sit and eat take out from Pioneer Square restaurants, or meet friends before a Sounders, Seahawks, or Mariners game. Thank you to our community leaders in Pioneer Square, the Downtown Seattle Association, and Parks for their vision and dedication to create this vibrant public park space.”

Debuting in fall 2019, the play area was designed by Berger Partnership and constructed by Venture General Contracting. The second playground coordinated by DSA/MID (along with the play area in Westlake Park), this structure provides much needed recreational space for visitors and the nearly 4,800 children living in downtown.             

The new pavilion, designed by Olson Kundig and built by general contractor Schuchart, replaced a smaller kiosk at the south end of the square with a larger information and concierge center for enhanced park activation. Paid for entirely by private contributions, the pavilion’s glass roof stretches 90-feet wide and 30-feet deep, providing ample space that can serve as an outdoor classroom, a performance space, a dining area and generally a much-needed covered space for use by the public.

“This is a tremendously significant project, for me personally and for Olson Kundig, as well as the City of Seattle,” said Tom Kundig, FAIA, RIBA, Design Principal, Olson Kundig. “The history of Pioneer Square is long and complex, from the First Nations cultures who originally settled here to the timber industry that later shaped the region. This pavilion draws on those influences and introduces a new amenity and place of shelter for every visitor to the park.”

“We appreciate the collaborative efforts of the private and public sectors to deliver this wonderful amenity to our city,” said Schuchart Partner and President Casey Schuchart. “The legacy of the pacific northwest is represented through the high design of the timber pavilion. Our company is honored to have played it’s part in supporting the delivery of this project for all to enjoy.”

Funding for the pavilion project has been provided by donors to Seattle Parks Foundation in partnership with the Alliance for Pioneer Square, Seattle Parks and Recreation and the Downtown Seattle Association.

“Occidental Square is the center of downtown Seattle’s rich and diverse cultures. From the early days as a first nation’s community to the historic establishment of Seattle’s industry, Occidental is the heart of our city,” said Seattle Parks Foundation CEO Rebecca Bear. “The completion of the beautiful Timber Pavilion celebrates the past and evokes an exciting future for Occidental and Pioneer Square – a thriving park filled with people listening to music, painting, shopping, playing, celebrating, and supporting our local teams and neighborhood businesses.”

This new public amenity officially opens on Wednesday, June 9 at 11 a.m. with a public ribbon-cutting and opening remarks. The community is invited to attend. Additionally, we encourage people to visit the park and the new pavilion on Friday, June 11 and Saturday, June 12 and enjoy free family friendly games, music, giveaways and fun.

For more information about the project please visit https://www.seattle.gov/parks/about-us/current-projects/occidental-square-park-projects.

ABOUT DOWNTOWN SEATTLE ASSOCIATION (DSA)

Established in 1958, the Downtown Seattle Association (DSA) is a nonprofit membership organization whose mission is to create a healthy, vibrant downtown. By advocating on issues including transportation, economic development and the urban experience, DSA works to ensure that downtown remains a great place to live, work, shop and play. DSA also manages the Metropolitan Improvement District, a business-improvement area spanning 285 square blocks downtown.

ABOUT THE ALLIANCE FOR PIONEER SQUARE

The Alliance for Pioneer Square is a 501(c)(3) that works to help preserve what makes Pioneer Square the most authentic, engaging and dynamic neighborhood in Seattle. We do this by effectively implementing programs in the following areas: business development, communications and marketing, advocacy, public realm, and leadership.

ABOUT SEATTLE PARKS FOUNDATION

Founded as a nonprofit partner for Seattle Parks and Recreation and fueled by the energy of civic leaders whose efforts to build a 60-acre “Seattle Commons” were twice thwarted at the ballot box in the mid-1990s, Seattle Parks Foundation became an independent nonprofit in 2001. Its first endeavors included supporting the acquisition and development of Lake People (Xacua’bs) Park near Columbia City, the restoration of Schurman Rock at Camp Long in West Seattle, field and play area enhancements at Maple Elementary on Beacon Hill, and early planning for Lake Union Park. Donors have contributed over $59 million through Seattle Parks Foundation to support more than 200 community-led park projects spanning almost every neighborhood in the city.

ABOUT OLSON KUNDIG

Now in its sixth decade of practice, Olson Kundig is a collaborative design practice whose work includes cultural and museum projects, exhibition design, commercial and mixed-use design (including wineries and sports facilities), private and multi-family residential, hospitality projects, places of worship, interior design, product design and landscape design. With deep roots in the Pacific Northwest, the firm and its staff of over 200 work with clients around the world. More information at olsonkundig.com.

Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) will continue the integrated weed management program at selected lakefront properties on Lake Washington starting in early June and lasting through August 2021. This project is achieving comprehensive control of the most prevalent aquatic weeds in Eurasian milfoil, fragrant water lily, purple loosestrife, and garden loosestrife.

Controlling these weeds improves water quality and recreational access and safety at freshwater beaches, swim areas, moorages and other high-use recreation locations along the lake. This weed control creates a more natural, aesthetically appealing environment that nourishes native plant growth and aquatic species with the proper water temperature and oxygen level.

Mowing, hand cutting, and removal of the weeds will continue as in past years. SPR will complement this work by using selected aquatic herbicides. This use is permitted by Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology). These herbicides have been screened and endorsed by Ecology as an effective solution to control these noxious and invasive weeds.

SPR has contracted with AquaTechnex, LLC to apply the selected non-glyphosate aquatic herbicides along the shore of Lake Washington at the following locations: 

• Matthews Park beach
• Magnuson Park beach
• Magnuson Park boat ramp
• Madison Park beach
• Madrona Park beach
• Stan Sayers Pits
• Lakewood Marina
• Seward Park beach
• Prichard Island Beach

Informational signs will be posted near the treatment locations prior to treating the plants and appropriate safety precautions will be taken to ensure that there will be no exposure to park visitors, pets, and wildlife. 

The work is being performed under a permit from the Washington State Department of Ecology. AquaTechnex, LLC will manage an online webpage with information and updates on the program. Information here: https://seattleparksmilfoil.wordpress.com/

For more information please contact Brian Willis, Brian.Willis@seattle.gov.  For information about aquatic noxious weed control permits visit: https://ecology.wa.gov/Regulations-Permits/Permits-certifications/Aquatic-pesticide-permits/Aquatic-noxious-weed-control.

Seattle Parks and Recreation is happy to announce the opening of the Loyal Heights Play Area, 2101 NW 77^th St. and completion of the renovation project.

The play area renovation project installed new play equipment from Landscape Structures with slides, swings, and climbing features. Included in the play area design is a new plaza with picnic tables, benches, water fountain, and accessible pathways connecting the play area to the community center. This renovation brings the site into compliance with current play area safety standards and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards for accessibility.

Green Tech Excavation began construction in January 2021 and completed the project this week. Orange plastic fencing will remain in place around the turf areas until the grass establishes.

For more information on the play area project, please visit http://www.seattle.gov/parks/about-us/current-projects/loyal-heights-play-area-renovation. If you have questions about the project please contact Shannon Glass, Seattle Parks and Recreation, at Shannon.glass@seattle.gov or 206-733-9319. 

Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) awarded the construction contract to A-1 Landscaping for the Lakeridge Playfield and Playground renovation project. They will mobilize onsite the first week of June and the entire park will be closed during the renovation. 

Thank you to everyone who participated in the public process. We appreciate your patience and cooperation while we construct your new park. Construction will be completed in fall 2021.  Lakeridge Playground, 10145 Rainier Ave S. 98178, is in southeast Seattle.

This project includes renovation of the play area with new play equipment, new ballfield grass turf, irrigation and drainage renovation, basketball court resurfacing, replacement of tennis courts with new pickle ball courts, retaining wall replacement, and access improvements to meet Americans with Disabilities (ADA) standards.  Additionally, accessibility improvements to the comfort station have been added to the project.

This park project is made possible by the voter-approved Seattle Park District, which provides more than $47 million a year in long-term funding for SPR, including maintenance of parklands and facilities, operation of community centers and recreation programs, and development of new neighborhood parks on previously acquired sites.

For more information please visit http://www.seattle.gov/parks/about-us/current-projects/lakeridge-playground-improvements or contact Mike Schwindeller at mike.schwindeller@seattle.gov or 206-305-6369.

Seattle Parks and Recreation is happy to announce that the first of five Olmsted restoration sites, Schmitz Park Boulevard, is moving into construction. The Seattle Conservation Corps will work with Seattle Parks and Recreation’s carpentry, concrete, and metal shops to create a permanent pathway up the hill at SW Stevens St. and 52nd to 58th Ave. SW near the park entrance closest to the Alki Community Center. This project will include a stairway and habitat restoration. The project construction will begin in mid-May and be completed by the end of the summer.

The following other projects are moving forward with design and construction:

• Lake Washington Boulevard park – Colman Park
  • Improves the drainage and landscape of the area near the upper bridge.
• Magnolia Boulevard   
  • Restoration and revegetation of the historic Madrone trees at Magnolia Boulevard.

Scoping and early design work is commencing for:

• Lake Washington Boulevard
• Lower Woodland Park

These five historical Olmsted parks and boulevards were selected out the Olmsted Park Study and prioritized on community feedback received in early 2019 as well as on a set of criteria that included feasibility, equity, recent improvements, and fundraising potential. Funding for the projects is provided by the Seattle Park District Major Maintenance Initiative.

Thank you to the Friends of Seattle’s Olmsted Parks and the over 1,300 people who participated in the online survey that helped us prioritize the ten sites (Magnolia Blvd., Queen Anne Blvd, Lake Washington Blvd. parks (Lakeview Park, Colman Park, Mount Baker Park), Hiawatha Park, Volunteer Park, Schmitz Park, Woodland Park, and Washington Park Arboretum) for funding allocation. 

Seattle’s Olmsted Parks and Boulevards began as a dream the City of Seattle had in the late 1800’s for a beautiful system of landscapes among urban growth. This vision was implemented in the form of parks throughout the city designed by the Olmsted Brothers landscape architecture firm. The basis of design for these parks was to allow access to attractive open spaces to provide peace and respite for all.

To review the survey results and stay up to date on the projects please visit please visit http://www.seattle.gov/parks/about-us/current-projects/olmsted-parks-and-boulevards-restoration-project

For additional questions please contact Michelle Whitfield, Capital Project Coordinator at michelle.whitfield@seattle.gov or 206-465-8492.

While we cannot meet in person right now, your input is important to us! Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) invites the community to participate in the future of South Park Plaza site by reviewing the schematic design and taking this short survey https://seattle.surveymonkey.com/r/SouthParkPlaza2021.

The oxbow/round design for the plaza site, 8456 Dallas Ave. S, offers a play area, plantings, gathering area for community events, seating terraces, picnic area and open lawn.

The success of this community park is dependent on community input and participation. If you would like to participate in planning for future activation and incorporating cultural elements in the design we encourage you to participate in the survey and sign up for a focus group.

In 2014, as part of a community-initiated acquisition, SPR purchased the .83-acre site at 8456 Dallas Ave. S, just west of the South Park Bridge to provide the community more open space. SPR is ready to move this new park and plaza project forward and we are excited to work with the South Park neighborhood to develop a design for the community gathering space.

This project was made possible by the voter-approved Seattle Park District, which provides more than $47 million a year in long-term funding for SPR, including maintenance of parklands and facilities, operation of community centers and recreation programs, and development of new neighborhood parks on previously acquired sites.

For more information about the project or translated version of the press release please visit http://www.seattle.gov/parks/about-us/current-projects/south-park-plaza-landbanked-site-park-development.

For additional questions or if you need an interpreter or accommodations please contact Jay Rood at Jay.rood@seattle.gov.