The new pier at the end of 24th Ave NW is open to pedestrians through the end of the summer.

The pier was restored as part of Seattle Public Utilities’ Ship Canal Water Quality Project, which still has several years before completion. In addition to the restoration, the new pier also has an art inlay created by artist Christian French.

The opening comes as something of a surprise, thanks to nudge from a Ballard Landmark Senior, “who, like her colleagues, intends to live forever, but at 80 years old and in a wheelchair admits that you never know,” Colleen Coghlan from the Ballard Landmark tells My Ballard.

“Having the freed Pier as a walker destination will surely lead to our better health and maybe, longer life in Seattle,” she writes.

The new pier will stay open to pedestrians until the end of August. It will remain closed to vehicles and boaters until 2024.

Photo: Collen Coghlan