February 27, 2025

New details outlined for improvements at Westlake Park

Photo via city of Seattle [enlarge]

The fountain will be demolished and replaced with new landscaping and seating areas.

The DJC first reported in November on Seattle Parks Foundation and Seattle Parks and Recreation's project to improve and significantly upgrade Westlake Park.

Landscape architecture firm Berger Partnership is the designer. A building and land use pre-application was recently filed for the work, which offers new details about the upgrade of the urban park at 401 Pine St.

The improvements will address aging infrastructure and overall maintenance. The park's existing fountain and arch will be demolished, with water and sewer connections capped for future use. The fountain is broken and not currently in operation. New landscaping, irrigation and seating areas will be installed in place of the fountain and an existing stage that is also set to be removed.

Image via Seattle Parks Foundation [enlarge]

The concept plan for the upgraded park calls for a new play area and improved lighting.

A new permanent play area will be added. That could include a large slide.

Electrical infrastructure will be brought above ground into a new cabinet, and new lighting will be installed throughout to improve the park experience and safety.

Granite pavers will be restored, and tree wells will be expanded to extend the life of existing trees that are currently heaving the pavement. Planters and/or bollards will be installed at the park property line.

The goal is to have the upgrades finished next spring, ahead of the start of FIFA Men's World Cup events in the city next summer.

Construction should begin in August. The general contractor is yet to be selected. An RFP for the construction work was issued earlier this year. The deadline for firms to submit proposals was Feb. 12.

The project team also includes Pine Street Group.

Project partners are Downtown Activation Plan, Downtown Seattle Association (which has managed and programmed the park since 2016), and FIFA World Cup 26 Seattle.

Westlake Park, which currently is more of a plaza, is often colloquially referred to as Seattle's town square and sits at the nexus of transit, shopping and connections to Pike Place Market, the waterfront and the Seattle Convention Center. It was built in 1988 and hasn't seen any significant improvements since then.

As per its 2025-2026 budget, SPR plans to invest $1.3 million to improve the park this year and $2.3 million next year.