South Lake Union Park Development

Our Work / Water Access / South Lake Union Park Development

Category Overview

Washington is famous for its gorgeous and abundant waterways, from the Salish Sea to the Nisqually River, but many communities lack open public beaches and waterfronts where everyone can enjoy picnicking, swimming, paddling, boating, and angling. Water Access projects fund public shoreline access, boat launches, and fishing docks to create more opportunities for water recreation.

Project Highlights

Seattle used this grant to redevelop a 12-acre park at South Lake Union by creating pathways and a bridge over the inlet. Work included demolition, landscaping, and other site enhancements. The grant helped enhance the recreation experience and improved shoreline and bulkhead alignment, car circulation, parking, park accessibility, and pedestrian circulation. The redeveloped park features a terraced edge on the shore, a historic ships wharf, look-out points, a model boat pond, and interactive fountains.

Quick Facts

WWRP Applicant: Seattle City of Category: Water Access WWRP Grant: $500,000.00 Applicant Match: $2,500,000.00 Project Type: Development County: King Legislative District: 43 Status: Closed Completed RCO Project # 06-1620

Location Details

The Park is located in Seattle at 860 Terry Avenue North, on the south end of Lake Union, northeast of the intersection of Westlake Avenue and Valley Street. FROM I-5 SOUTH: Bear right on the ramp at the sign that reads "Exit 167 to Mercer St./Seattle Center and go southwest for .5 miles. Turn right on Fairview Avenue North and go north 500 feet. Turn left on Valley Street, staying in rightmost lane and go west two blocks (approximately 600 yards). Directly after passing the Center for Wooden Boats on your right, turn right into the park, on Terry Avenue North.

What is the WWRP

The Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program (WWRP) is a state grant program that creates and conserves local and state parks, wildlife habitat and working farms. The Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office administers WWRP grants, and the legislature funds the program.