Counterbalance Park: An Urban Oasis
Location: 2 Roy St. (at Queen Anne Ave)The name “Counterbalance Park” pays homage to the old counterbalance trolley system that transported people in the area along Queen Anne Ave until 1940. This 12,000 square foot lot sits at the corner of Queen Anne Ave and Roy St and has had many identities over the years. The park area was once the entrance to the “counterbalance” tunnel, a home to gas stations, and neighbor to the infamous “blob” building. Today the area is a unique community plaza.
In the late 1990s The City of Seattle alongside with the community developed a neighborhood plan featuring the development of a neighborhood park within walking distance of nearby businesses, the thousands of residents of Lower Queen Anne, and the many visitors to the nearby Seattle Center.
The City of Seattle successfully acquired the site in 2004 with funds from the Pro Parks Levy to renovate the site. Seattle Parks Foundation assisted with additional fundraising and partnered with the Uptown Alliance to raise more than $1 million to complete the project. With significant community input, the park today is a peaceful tree-lined plaza, featuring innovative lighting elements and performance spaces.
Counterbalance Park provides a place for the community to gather within one of Seattle’s densest neighborhoods – and is truly an Urban Oasis.
For more information, contact us.