A 20-acre new public park stretching north-south from Belltown to Pioneer Square that will serve as an invitation to reconnect to the water, to the mountains, to our city, and to one another and a place to share the stories that illuminate the multiple histories and cultures that define Seattle and must shape its future.
This safe and welcoming public space is created through active programming, 24/7/365 on-site public safety team to support a positive park experience, and by compassionately connecting people in need to social services and resources. This new green waterfront will add hundreds of new trees and native plants to support the nearshore ocean habitat and to serve as a massive filtration system to remove pollutants from stormwater before it enters the sound.
Emerging out of 10 years of public comment, the completed design of Waterfront Park emphasizes connectivity — between people and place, past and present, sea and shore. This is a park for Seattle locals and visitors alike, with lively gathering spaces and year-round educational and recreational park programs celebrating the diverse cultures that define the Pacific Northwest.
A salmon-friendly seawall and expansive natural landscaping with biofiltration support a sustainable nearshore environment, building lasting connections between the city and Elliott Bay and creating an accessible and inspired new waterfront district. This extraordinary park is a tribute to the people, landscapes, and traditions that define Seattle.
More details about the park:
- Designed by James Corner Field Operations, Waterfront Park stitches together Seattle waterfront landmarks including the historic Pike Place Market, the Seattle Aquarium, Colman Dock, and the Olympic Sculpture Park.
- Waterfront Park introduces new bicycle and walking trails along the shoreline, expanding Seattle’s robust network of bike- and pedestrian-oriented corridors.
- The shoreline ecosystem and innovative, sustainable design is a key focus for Waterfront Park, helping support the environmental health of Seattle’s waterfront.
- Throughout its history, Seattle’s waterfront has been shaped by its uses including ship building, fishing, canning, trading, and transportation. Waterfront Park represents the latest chapter in the history of this working waterfront as it evolves to meet a new cultural need for the larger Seattle community.
- The first piece of Waterfront Park, Pier 62, is open. Construction will continue on the rest of Waterfront Park with completion in 2025.
For details on Waterfront Park’s project delivery and construction information, visit waterfrontseattle.org.
Timeline
A New Era For Seattle & Its Waterfront
With Waterfront Park, Seattle’s residents are making a conscious choice about how to improve the waterfront to best serve the community and the environment. Shaped by tens of thousands of voices gathered through a rigorous public process, Waterfront Park fulfills the community’s vision for a central waterfront for all of Seattle.
The design for this 20-acre linear park responds to the public’s overwhelming call for an open, accessible waterfront — one that reconnects the city to its coastline just as it restores the health of the nearshore environment. Through years of unprecedented collaboration between government officials, community leaders, tribes, businesses, and the public at large, Seattle’s new waterfront is taking shape to be more than a park. It is a welcoming, engaging framework that can meet the ever-evolving needs of the communities it serves.
For details on Waterfront Park’s project delivery and construction information, visit waterfrontseattle.org.
The 1950’s
The viaduct was built in three phases from 1949 through 1959, with the first section opening on April 4, 1953
December 2009
The Central Waterfront Committee (CWC) is formed by a City ordinance to advise on public spaces and framework for Seattle’s waterfront design.
September 2010
James Corner Field Operations (JCFO) wins international competition to work with the City to design Seattle’s waterfront park (also designed the Highline in NYC).
January 2011
Seattle City Council creates Central Waterfront Committee (CWC) adopts guiding principles to advance the project (co-chaired by former Seattle Mayor, Charles Royer, and Maggie Walker). Broad public outreach with wide-ranging community participation to design waterfront park begins.
July 2012
Informed by community input, Waterfront Park Concept designed by JCFO and CWC Strategic Plan rolls out.
August
City Council adopts JCFO concept design and CWC strategic plan.
November
77% of Seattle voters approve $290M seawall bond to replace the Elliott Bay Seawall.
November 2013
Seawall construction begins.
August 2014
Metropolitan Park District (MPD) approved by Seattle voters: designates $3.5M in annual support for waterfront park operations and maintenance.
September
Friends of Waterfront Seattle (now Friends of Waterfront Park) established. Friends and City open Waterfront Space, a public project showroom, event space, and Friends’ headquarters.
Early 2019
Viaduct closes / Tunnel opens.
City Council enacts Local Improvement District to fund park.
Fall
Alaskan Way Viaduct is removed; waterfront park construction begins.
An aerial photo of Pier 62. Photo by Erik Holsather.
Fall 2020
Rebuilt Pier 62 opens to public.
December 2022
Union Street Staircase opens, connecting downtown and Pike Place Market to the Waterfront. It features two large scale art installations by Norie Sato.
May 2023
Elliott Way opens with the honorary name Dzidzilalich which means “little crossing-over place” in the Lushootseed language of the Coast Salish People
July 2023
Pioneer Square Habitat Beach, south of Colman Dock, is now OPEN daily from 7am to 10pm. The man-made beach supports the waterfront ecosystem, including enhancing the salmon corridor by adding rocks and nearshore vegetation. The plantings on the shoreline restore the function of a natural shoreline and improve ecosystem productivity.
2023 to 2025
In 2023, look forward to the plazas at the south end of the park opening in the fall to be used for sports fan celebrations and other cultural activations. Other parts of Waterfront Park that will open in 2024 and 2025 are,
- The Historic Washington Street Boat Landing Pergola
- The Park Promenade, Bike Lane and Public Restrooms
- Pike and Pine Street Improvements
- Pier 58
- Overlook Walk
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