Be’er Sheva Lake Access
Creating an advanced schematic design for Be’er Sheva Park that improves lake access, expands green areas, improves sightlines and views, and improves safety
Project Description
Be’er Sheva is a relatively large park next to an urban farm and a boat launch and near a high school and a low-income housing community, but it is severely underused. In fact, looking toward it from the end of South Henderson Street, it is not even obvious that it is a public park. It offers little for families to do, with only one small play feature for young children and nothing at all for older ones. Limited sightlines, existing park furnishings, and vehicle parking along the water attract undesirable activity and crime, driving away families who do not feel safe at the park.
The Rainier Beach Link2Lake Open Space Steering Committee is seeking Department of Neighborhoods funding to support a community-driven process that will include hiring a landscape architect to produce an advanced schematic design for park improvements. Engaging the neighborhood’s diverse population will be paramount. Plans include opening up views of Lake Washington from the end of South Henderson, expanding the green area east of the intersection at Seward Park Avenue South and South Henderson by reconfiguring one end of the parking lot, and adding walkways and possibly outdoor art that celebrates the community’s diversity and history.