Update: Deadline for submitting names extended to June 30

Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) invites the public to submit potential names for three new parks in the Phinney/Greenwood, University District, and Denny Triangle neighborhoods. The deadline for submitting names to the Parks Naming Committee has been extended to June 30.

Phinney/Greenwood

To support the Greenwood/Phinney Urban Village, SPR purchased two property sites between N 81st and N 82nd streets on the east side of Greenwood to develop a park. SPR and Cascade Design Collaborative worked with the community in late 2016 and 2017 on the design and have made numerous presentations to the Design Commission. The project will be constructed this summer and we anticipate completion in late fall. The design is a multi-use space that includes natural play elements, an open lawn, a gathering/plaza space with seating, a loop path, and planted areas. The project also includes low-impact design strategies featuring amended soils, porous concrete, and increased infiltration created by the new open space. In addition, better community connections will be provided through street improvements and a raised crosswalk connecting the Greenwood branch library to the park. These elements were identified by the community during the design phase of this project. To stay up to date on the project please click here.

Portage Bay Park

Portage Bay Park is the site of the former UW Police Station and Bryants Marina, on the shore of Portage Bay in the SE corner of the UW campus. The existing buildings will be demolished to make way for the shoreline park development. The park will include historical elements, water access for people and hand-carried boats, shoreline restoration, open lawn space for passive recreation, and opportunities for interpretation and education. The project also includes cleanup of site contamination, building demolition, potential partial re-use of building elements, shoreline enhancement and right-of-way improvements. SPR recently awarded the construction contract to Orion Marine. We anticipate the park will be completed in 2019. More information on the project can be found at http://www.seattle.gov/parks/about-us/current-projects/portage-bay-park.

Westlake and Lenora

In December 2008, Seattle Parks purchased the 8,722-square foot property at 2100 Westlake Ave. for a new neighborhood park in the Denny Triangle Urban Center Village. This project redevelops the previous Enterprise Car Rental site into park land that will serve downtown businesses and residences. Planning for the project was completed in 2014 in conjunction with other neighborhood growth to provide a seamless transition between the park and the adjacent development. The design includes an open lawn, new central play structure, seating edge, lighting, ADA access, places for vendors, landscaping, and other park elements. SPR is finalizing design and permitting and anticipates construction beginning summer 2018. More information on the project can be found here.

About the Parks Naming Committee and how to submit suggestions

The Parks Naming Committee is comprised of one representative designated by the Board of Park Commissioners; one by the Chair of the City Council Civic Development, Public Assets and Native Communities Committee; and one by the Parks Superintendent. Criteria the committee considers in naming parks include: geographical location, historical or cultural significance, and natural or geological features. The Park Naming Policy, clarifying the criteria applied when naming a park, can be found here.

The Parks Naming Committee will consider all suggestions and make a recommendation to Interim Seattle Parks and Recreation Superintendent Christopher Williams, who will make the final decision.

Please submit suggestions for park names in writing by Saturday, June 30, 2018, and include an explanation of how your suggestion matches the naming criteria. Send to Seattle Parks and Recreation, Parks Naming Committee, 100 Dexter Ave. N, Seattle, WA 98109, or by e-mail to paula.hoff@seattle.gov.