Enjoy Waterfront Park’s new features this summer!

People enjoy new swings on Seattle’s central waterfront on a sunny day.

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Editor’s Note: This is a blog post from the Waterfront Seattle Program. The Waterfront Seattle Program is a collaboration between the Office of the Waterfront and Civic Projects and other Seattle departments including the Mayor’s Office, the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT), Planning and Community Development, and Parks and Recreation.

At-a-glance:

Warmer days have arrived and it’s a perfect time to enjoy Waterfront Park’s many new features.
The park will be fully open later this summer, but no need to wait!
Come enjoy (links jump to specific topics):
Learn more about the overall Waterfront Seattle program here.

New features to explore

If you haven’t been to the waterfront in a while, chances are there are new (and free!) amenities for you to enjoy, including swings, bike lanes, seating, a public restroom, and more. The waterfront is buzzing with activity every day.

Swings

A woman smiles will sitting on a large swing outdoors on a cloudy day. Buildings are in the background. — *A smiling park-goer enjoys the swings near Colman Dock.*

The waterfront is often referred to as Seattle’s front porch and it has been improved with the addition of eight new swings. You can try out the recently-opened swings, located between Marion and Madison streets, for a playful way to take in the views of Elliott Bay.

1.2-mile protected bike lane

Many people bike along a protected bike lane in the city. — *People biking on the protected bike lane.*

The 1.2-mile-long protected bike lane, which opened in early-March, now provides a connection between Pioneer Square and Belltown like never before, supporting the vision for a greener, more connected city.

People biking can use this new connection to get to and from a different destination or bike along Waterfront Park. For bicyclists looking to enjoy the park, there are over 30 new bike racks spread throughout the park to support access to local destinations and amenities.

Public art

Large wooden carvings travel over a protected bike lane and plantings next to a wide sidewalk, with buildings in the background. — *Tyson Simmons and Keith Stevenson’s (Muckleshoot Indian Tribe) carving on Oscar Tuazon’s To Our Teachers deqʷaled (Houseposts).*

Stretching across three blocks with a rhythm of burnished fir posts, forming a scaffold for carvings by Coast Salish artists, the newest public art project defines space and reminds visitors that Indigenous peoples and cultures are an integral aspect of the waterfront and Seattle, as they have been since time immemorial.

To Our Teachers deqʷaled (Houseposts) by Oscar Tuazon and two Indigenous cedar carvings by Randi Purser of the Suquamish Tribe and Tyson Simmons and Keith Stevenson of the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe can be enjoyed by Waterfront Park visitors.

Boardwalk

While the expansive pedestrian space next to the piers has been open for some time, the new boardwalk on the Park Promenade between Spring and Union streets recently opened. This provides space for a more serene stroll along our busy waterfront and a way to enjoy the native landscaping up close.

Benches

A cityscape on a partly cloudy day with a large wheel to the upper right and buildings nearby. — *A Waterfront Park visitor takes a break on a bench near Pier 57.*

A person sits on a bench outdoors on a cloudy day. — *A Waterfront Park visitor takes a break on a bench near Pier 57.*

Permanent seating features are available on the waterfront and provide a space to relax at Waterfront Park. Take a break, enjoy a snack, admire the views and appreciate the daily bustle on one of the many benches at the park.

Public restroom

A person washes their hands at a restroom. — *Waterfront Park visitors using the new public restroom.*

An important component for ensuring a visitor-friendly experience at Waterfront Park is access to a restroom. The new public restroom, centrally located in Waterfront Park between Union and University streets, is now available to the public. Hours of operation are 8 AM to 7 PM and are currently extended to 10 PM through Labor Day.

Seattle Center provides daily maintenance and security, and thanks to Friends of Waterfront Park, restrooms have a concierge continuously during open hours who help maintain the space, assist people and support a positive visitor experience.

Water fountains

An outdoor drinking fountain in the city. People walk on a sidewalk to the left. — *New drinking fountains at Waterfront Park with a water filling station.*

On a warm spring or summer day, it is important to have plenty of water. Seven new drinking fountains throughout the park are up and running. Take a sip, refill your water bottle or help your dog stay hydrated.

Railings made from the original seawall

A handrail next to a walkway on a sunny and cloudy day. Trees above. — *New permanent railing along Pioneer Square Habitat Beach.*

While it might not be the most prominent addition to the waterfront, the new permanent railings have been designed with your safety and experience in mind. The railings along the western edge of the park allow visitors to safely get close to the bay and maybe spot some of our marine neighbors, keep views open with a mesh backing and honor the history of our waterfront by using reclaimed wood from the original seawall.

Interpretive signage coming this summer

An interpretive sign with graphics and images. It says Habitat Beach to the left side. — *An example of an interpretative panel to be installed on the handrail at Pioneer Square Habitat Beach, which explains the environmental remediation efforts that informed the creation of the beach.*

Installation of new signage at Waterfront Park is underway. The signs currently being installed will help visitors navigate the park, make their way to other popular destinations and be aware of park rules.

More interpretative signs will follow later this summer. Both freestanding and integrated onto new infrastructure elements, the interpretative signs will describe the natural and cultural histories of the waterfront, and the physical and social forces that have shaped the shoreline and the nearby cityscape.

Advised by a working group that includes representatives of tribal partners and community members, content was developed to use both text and imagery to share a wide range of information about the central waterfront and the surrounding region.

If you visit the waterfront in the coming months, you may see installation of this signage taking place, but the park will remain open and accessible during this work.

Summer celebrations and activities for all

A large event on a waterfront pier on a sunny day. — *Friends of Waterfront Park event on Pier 62 in summer 2024. Photo by Erik Holsather, courtesy of Friends of Waterfront Park.*

While finishing touches on Waterfront Park continue, preparations are also underway for a few exciting celebrations. Pier 58 will open this summer with a family-friendly community event to commemorate this transformative milestone. Later in the summer, Waterfront Seattle and Friends of Waterfront Park will mark the completion of the full park with a grand opening celebration that will welcome all to Waterfront Park for a day full of activities. Stay tuned for more details to come.

In the meantime, Waterfront Park events have already kicked off with several months of summer festivities. Friends of Waterfront Park, a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization responsible for fundraising, stewarding, and programming at Waterfront Park alongside the community, is hosting over 270 free public events as part of a season-long celebration leading up to the much-anticipated Grand Opening Celebration in late-summer 2025. To see the full calendar, plan your visit, or learn how to get involved, visit www.waterfrontparkseattle.org/events.

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