Parkways Seattle Parks and Recreation

Seattle Parks and Recreation, CHAMPS Resource and Service Center and Parents for Skateparks encourage the Rainier Beach community to participate in upcoming design forums for a new Rainier Beach Skate Park.  Please join us online on January 19, April 20, and July 20 from 6 – 8 p.m. on Zoom.  To register for the online meeting please visit https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdRjiwHO2qUNYAkmwH5qpwZ1xrpV5jwei3gJ0QYS0HC2iDtBA/viewform.

For the last four years, CHAMPS has been hosting events to discuss a new skateboard park in southeast Seattle that would attract youth and provide a safe gathering place. They are partnering with Parents for Skateparks and are excited to work with the community on the design. 

This project includes a feasibility study, conceptual design, and cost estimate for a new skateboard park at Rainier Beach Playfield.  It is funded by the Department of Neighborhoods, Neighborhood Match Fund. This is a community-led project and construction is not currently funded. The design will naturally integrate skateboarding into the surrounding landscape and feature a mix of street and transition-style terrain, with elements for all age groups and ability levels. It will draw local users to the skatepark, and challenge both beginners and experienced users.

The new skatepark at Rainier Beach Playfield will be a great addition to the Rainier Beach Community Center, local sporting activities schools, “Where’s the Beach” Link2Lake Project, the new Rainier Beach High School and the many multi-family units coming to the neighborhood.

For additional information please visit https://www.seattle.gov/parks/about-us/projects/rainier-beach-playfield-skatepark or contact Pam Kliment at Pamela.kliment@seattle.gov.

Seattle Parks and Recreation and McClung Construction have reached a milestone with the Lowman Beach Park seawall and beach restoration project. Two main components of this project are complete: demolition of the existing failed concrete seawall, as well as drilling and installation of the steel piles that provide structural support for the new seawall.

The next critical phase of work involves installation of the new precast concrete seawall. This work will occur between January 11 – 24, 2022 and must be performed at night to take advantage of the low tides. The installation of the precast concrete seawall must occur before February 15 when the in-water work window that protects fish and shellfish habitats closes. The time limitation for work is a requirement of Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and the workable low tides in January and February occur outside normal working hours.

Two night work windows at low tides will occur for:

1. Preparing for the permanent installation of new seawall segments which will require up to four nights of work, however, could possibly be completed in one or two nights.
2. Installing the precast wall panels which is expected to take another three to four work nights.

Our Temporary Noise Variance Permit is currently approved for work between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. starting Tuesday, January 11, 2022, and must be completed by Monday, January 24 at 7 a.m. Although the permit allows for 14 nights of work, we expect to work a maximum of eight nighttime shifts.

McClung Construction will do what is feasible to minimize noise levels as much as possible.

Thank you to the neighbors for their patience and cooperation during the Lowman Beach Park seawall and beach restoration project.  

The seawall and beach restoration project will substantially improve the natural coastal process at the park while also improving the beach access opportunities for all. Lowman Beach Park, in West Seattle just north of Lincoln Park at 7017 Beach Drive SW, 98136.

For more information, please visit https://www.seattle.gov/parks/find/parks/lowman-beach-park. If you have questions about the project please contact Seattle Parks and Recreation at lowmanbeach@seattle.gov.

Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) is happy to announce many elements of the Lakeridge Playground renovation project are complete. The new play area in southeast Seattle is open.  It features slides, swings, climbing opportunities, and play structures. Also open is the multi-sports court (futsal/basketball) and pickleball/badminton courts. Temporary striping is down on the courts and in spring 2022, an additional color surface coating and new permanent striping will be applied to courts.  Lakeridge Playground, 10145 Rainier Ave S. 98178, is in southeast Seattle.

Fencing will remain around the playfield to allow for the new grass to establish. We anticipate opening the playfield and the comfort station in summer 2022. SPR will work with the community and our partners on a community celebration at that time. 

Additional funding became available, and this project grew to include priorities for the community such as the renovated comfort station, a loop pathway, accessible play area surfacing and roofs for the baseball dugouts. The project is a collaboration of private and public funding. The Seattle Park District funded the original base project. RAVE Foundation, the official charitable arm of Seattle Sounders FC, in partnership with Seattle United and Seattle Youth Soccer Association, is contributing funding for the futsal (soccer) and basketball court, and will provide free programming to community youth starting next summer, and the Laurelhurst Pickleball Group through the Seattle Metro Pickleball Association contributed funding for the pickleball courts. The project was also the recipient of a King County Youth Sports Grant.

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.

Construction on two new public assets to begin in 2022, adding critical greenspace to South Seattle neighborhoods

On December 15, Seattle City Light (SCL) received approval from the Seattle City Council Transportation & Utilities Committee to transfer a 46,000-square foot plot of land, known as the Georgetown Flume site, to Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) and Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) to develop a new off-leash area and pedestrian thoroughfare in the Georgetown neighborhood. This connection will provide an acre of green space including 80 new trees, and is a critical part of the Georgetown to South Park Connection project, which, when completed, will create a walkable, bikeable connection between Georgetown and South Park.

“The transfer of the Georgetown flume site from Seattle City Light to the Seattle Department of Transportation and Seattle Parks and Recreation is a perfect example of what we can accomplish when we work together. Thanks to this inter-departmental collaboration, the City of Seattle will be able to deliver much need park space in South Seattle and a critical pedestrian connection between the South Park and Georgetown neighborhoods,” said Mayor Jenny Durkan. “As we reviewed all underutilized properties, we knew the transfer of the Georgetown flume site from Seattle City Light to the Seattle Department of Transportation and Seattle Parks and Recreation would create a valuable public asset for generations to come.”

“This environmental infrastructure project is an amazing example of multiple departments under Mayor Durkan’s leadership as well as three branches of government working collaboratively to implement an ambitious vision for a lengthy pedestrian and bike pathway, additional tree canopy, and a dog park for neighborhoods most in need of such investments,” said Councilmember Alex Pedersen, Chair of the Transportation & Utilities Committee, who shepherded multiple pieces of legislation for the complex project culminating with Council Bill 120230. “I have appreciated working collaboratively with both Councilmembers Lisa Herbold and Tammy Morales whose districts will most directly benefit from this project – as well as with all my Council colleagues, because success required key investments from our City budget.”

The Flume site, which is located between the Aero Motel and the nearby Boeing campus, was the historic site of the conveyance that transported water from City Light’s Georgetown Steam Plant to the Duwamish River, until the plant ceased operation in 1975.

Seattle City Light is transferring the eastern piece of this property to Seattle Parks and Recreation and the western piece to Seattle Department of Transportation as part of a public benefit package. As part of the transfer, Seattle City Light will receive a ‘street vacation’ in this area. Street vacations are a mechanism to allow a private use of the right-of-way, based on public benefit.

“This is a win-win situation – the street vacation allows City Light to meet our operational needs at the South Service Center while the land we’re transferring will support these long sought-after improvements for the Georgetown and South Park communities,” said Debra Smith, General Manager and CEO of Seattle City Light. “Today’s vote wouldn’t have been possible without the cooperation from our fellow City departments, support from City Council, and robust community involvement.”

“We’re grateful for the close coordination by Seattle City Light, Seattle Parks & Recreation, and Seattle Department of Transportation to make this land transfer happen” said SDOT Director Sam Zimbabwe. “Neighbors advocated for both the dog park and the walking and biking connection between Georgetown and South Park and we’re glad to share that both projects are getting built.”

“Working with our partners in City government and community leaders has brought a critical addition of open space to the Georgetown neighborhood,” said Jesus Aguirre, Seattle Parks and Recreation Superintendent. “We look forward to continue this partnership with community and SDOT as we create a multifunctional space that will provide access to recreation, community gathering, and transportation connections.”

The new off-leash area will join 15 existing dog parks in Seattle, which together provide 25 acres of space for Seattle dog owners to let their furry friends run, play, and exercise.

“Creating an off-leash dog park in Georgetown and walking/biking trail that connects Georgetown and South Park has long been a goal of the Georgetown community. We are excited that this land transfer, in addition to the funding agreed to by Seattle City Light, Seattle Parks Department and SDOT, will allow these to become a reality in our neighborhood.” –Kate Kohler, Georgetown resident and Co-Chair of the Georgetown Open Space Committee

Construction on the new 20,000 sq ft off-leash area is expected to take place from summer 2022 through spring 2023; construction on the new walk, roll, and bikeway is expected to begin in Summer 2022 and open to the public in 2023.

Seattle Parks and Recreation is closing the Regrade Park Off-Leash Area (OLA) from Tuesday, December 14 through Wednesday, December 22 to make park improvements. Crews will remove failing trees and branches, renew surfacing, and make accessibility improvements.

Regrade OLA is located in the Belltown neighborhood, 2251 3^rd Ave, Seattle, WA 98121. The nearest OLA’s are Denny Park-100 Dexter Ave N, 98108; Plymouth Pillars Park- 1050 Pike St., Seattle, WA 98101 and Kinnear Park- 899 W Olympic Pl., Seattle, WA 98119. Please visit http://www.seattle.gov/parks/find/dog-off-leash-areas for other off leash area opportunities.

The Seattle Park District Maintaining Parks and Facilities funding initiatives provided $100,000 in 2021 to Improve Dog Off-Leash Areas throughout Seattle. The People, Dogs and Parks Plan  provides the scope and prioritization of major-maintenance capital projects.

For more information please visit https://www.seattle.gov/parks/about-us/current-projects/dog-off-leash-areas or contact, Peggy Tosdal, Seattle Parks and Recreation at  Peggy.tosdal@seattle.gov  or 206-419-3136.

Seattle Parks and Recreation will repair Volunteer Park Drive directly in front of the Seattle Asian Art Museum. The work will occur from December 15, 2021 to January 14, 2022 and is marked with a redline below.

Through traffic during the repairs will be blocked and traffic re-routed. Traffic entering from 15^th onto E. Highland Drive will be re-routed to continue on E. Highland Drive to the Prospect Street Exit/Entrance.  Traffic entering the park from Prospect Street will be blocked at area of repairs and need to exit at Prospect Street Exit.   

Access and operation hours of the park will remain the same.

For additional information or questions please contact Kelly.Goold@seattle.gov.

Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) is excited to be starting the process to renovate Carkeek Park play area in northwest Seattle at 950 NW Carkeek Park Rd.  The community is encouraged to participate and provide input.

Please participate in a short survey https://seattle.surveymonkey.com/r/CarkeekPG and join us online December 9 from 6 to 7 p.m. The meeting link is https://bit.ly/CarkeekPlayAreaMeeting1 and no registration is necessary. Additionally, we will post the recording of the online meeting and after viewing people may email the project planner with input. The recorded presentation will be posted on the website the week of December 13.

This project will renovate the existing play area which will include replacement of equipment and improvements to accessibility. The Salmon Slide will be evaluated for any necessary maintenance or restoration. At this meeting the design team will be sharing a site analysis along with potential play area styles and equipment. We look forward to hearing how the existing play area works for you and your family as well as, what improvements you would like to see.

For more information please visit http://www.seattle.gov/parks/about-us/projects/carkeek-park-playground-renovation or contact Colin Campbell at colin.campbell@seattle.gov or 206-256-5604.

Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) is happy to announce we have awarded the construction contract for the new Lake City park at 12510 33rd Ave. NE to Ohno Construction. We anticipate Ohno Construction mobilizing on site the week of November 29 and the park opening to the public by summer 2022.

SPR purchased the property in 2010 with funding from the 2008 Parks and Green Spaces Levy to provide additional open space for the Lake City community.  SPR demolished the building on the property and worked with the community on the design for the park. The new park will offer a multi-generational appeal with a wide range of activities and green space in this urban neighborhood. The park will include play structures, an accessible pathway, new benches, picnic areas, open lawn, P-Patch garden plots, and bike racks. The park will include public art sculptural work by artist Elizabeth Gahan funded from the 1% For the Arts program.

Thank you to everyone who participated in the public process. 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/projects/lake_city_uv/ . For additional questions please contact Shannon Glass, project manager at Shannon.glass@seattle.gov.

Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) is happy to announce we have awarded the construction contract to LW Sundstrom for the B.F. Day Playground renovation project. The contractor will mobilize on site on Monday, November 22, 2021 and anticipates the play area opening back up by summer 2022. The playground is located in Fremont at 4020 Fremont Ave. N. on the north side of the elementary school.

This play area renovation project will replace the play equipment and improve the adjacent picnic area, including replacing the drinking fountain and making accessibility improvements in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and national safety standards.  The play equipment reflects a “nature play” theme and includes slides, swings, and balancing equipment.

Funding for this park project is provided by the Seattle Park District. Approved by voters in 2014, the Seattle Park District provides more than $47 million a year in long-term funding to tackle the $267-million major maintenance backlog for Seattle Parks and Recreation as well as other facilities including the Aquarium and Zoo. In addition, it provides funding to improve and rehabilitate community centers, preserve the urban forest, perform day-to-day maintenance of parks and facilities, provide more recreation opportunities for people from underserved communities, provide programs for people of all ages and abilities, and acquire and develop new park land.

For more information about the project please visit

http://www.seattle.gov/parks/about-us/current-projects/b-f-day-playground-play-area-renovation

For questions about the project please contact Michelle Whitfield at michelle.whitfield@seattle.gov or 206-465-8492.   

Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) is installing new netting on holes 11 and 12 at Jefferson Park Golf Course to reduce golf balls travelling out of the park. The plans for the new poles and netting system have been submitted to the Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections (SDCI). Permitting will require a height variance, which will take nine to twelve months for City Council approval. As such, construction is estimated to begin in fall 2022.

During the Golf Master Plan process the errant ball issue around holes 11 to 12 at Jefferson Park Golf was identified.  SPR worked with Premier Golf and originally planned to reroute holes form a counterclockwise pattern to a clockwise pattern, but as the design and permitting was further developed, we concluded that permitting requirements, loss of trees, extensive course closure to complete this work, loss of revenue and overall project costs outweighed the option of installing netting. 

We are now planning to install new higher netting on poles along a portion of holes 11 and 12 to reduce golf balls travelling out of the park. Netting and poles will be installed along 24^th Ave S. and S. Spokane St. 

For more information about the project, please visit https://www.seattle.gov/parks/about-us/current-projects/jefferson-park-golf-course-holes-10-13-renovation or contact Shannon Glass, Project Manager, at Shannon.glass@seattle.gov or 206-733-3319.

To learn more about Jefferson Park Golf Course or schedule a tee-time please visit http://www.premiergc.com/jefferson.