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’s proposal will develop the former Kurtzer property, which the city acquired in 1993 with the assistance of an IAC Grant awarded in 1991, into a major waterfront park. Development of this 1.2-acre site will provide direct public access to Lake Union and opportunities for water recreation activities, including passive viewing, canoeing and small non-motorized boating. The new design will improve the loading dock, pedestrian path and walkway along the waterfront, open space, and landscaping. The park is an important phase of the overall South Lake Union Masterplan, an 11 acre regional park that will be a compliment to the Maritime Heritage Center, which preserves and displays boat/water related history of the region. The park provides outdoor spaces for large community gatherings as well as waterfront access for workers, visitors, and residents of the South Lake Union Park neighborhood.