Project Overview
TBD
Project Update
The park will be closed during construction beginning early October 2025 through Spring 2026. Access will be maintained to all businesses and properties adjacent to the park.
December 2025 Update:
Improvements at Westlake Park have expanded to include the removal of the Seven Hills art sculpture located at the south end of the park. This art consists of seven sculptural elements, including a pink granite column and the six cubic pieces, that symbolize the seven hills of Seattle. They are part of the City’s public art collection and were funded by Seattle Parks and Recreation Forward Thrust 1% for Art funds.
The removal will require additional fencing and closure around the south end of the park. The sculptures are scheduled to be removed in early 2026. The art will be taken off site and stored by SPR with the plan to re-install at a new location and at a later date. In their place at Westlake Park, the Coast Salish basketweave pattern tile will be extended to create a continuous design throughout the plaza. Together, SPR and Seattle Parks Foundation will host a public meeting in early 2026 to provide an update.
Join us for the next public meeting on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 from 5:00 to 6:00pm on the 4th floor of the Seaboard Building, 1500 4th Avenue, Seattle, WA 98101. If you can not attend the meeting but would like to share feedback on the project design update, please email us: info@seattleparksfoundation.org
SPR will coordinate closely with the Downtown Seattle Association (DSA) to ensure their ongoing programming in that area of the park continues without interruption.
Goals for the Project
- Improve guest experience – foster human connections
- Create a more cohesive park space and experience
- Address safety needs
- Address aging infrastructure
- Identify new facilities to support park programming
- Set the stage for longer term adjacent improvements
Project Partners:
Project Description
Westlake Park is at the heart of Seattle’s downtown core and an important gateway to the city. It serves as a critical transit hub for downtown offices, residents and tourists and connects to important regional assets including the Seattle Center (via the Monorail), the new Summit Convention Center, Pike Place Market, the new Seattle Waterfront Park, and the busy South Lake Union tech corridor. Recent investments in the Pike and Pine corridor allow for pedestrian access between all of these regional investments and the mass transit hub of Westlake Station. Westlake Park, the center hub of this system of public assets, however, is suffering from a lack of investment and attention and in some cases has attracted problematic behavior. The Park is often the first introduction to the city for tourists, an important neighborhood asset for downtown residents, and the center of the downtown retail core.
Compared to the rest of the city, the physical infrastructure and design characteristics of the park are dated. The park was built in 1988, and the city has grown up around it. Its current design no longer meets the needs of the community, businesses or residents.
Seattle Parks Foundation, in partnership with Seattle Parks and Recreation, has convened a cross section of residents, public agencies, businesses, property owners and community service providers to improve Westlake Park and reinvigorate Downtown Seattle’s community commons. This project has the opportunity to serve families, tourists, locals, businesses, and property owners by creating a more open gathering space, and providing needed amenities to encourage people to spend more time in the heart of the City.
Seattle Parks Foundation and Seattle Parks and Recreation are working with Berger Partnership to rapidly advance the design process at Westlake Park. Our goal is to complete the project by Spring 2026.
Project Schedule
Phase 1: July 1, 2024 – November 1, 2024
- Fundraising for Planning and Design
- Planning and Concept Design
- Public Outreach and Community Steering Committee Engagement
Phase 2: November 2024 – August 2025
- Public Open House
- Design, Engineering and Permitting
- Construction Documents and Contracting
Phase 3: October 8, 2025 – May 2026
- Construction
- The park will be closed during construction beginning early October through Spring 2026. Access will be maintained to all businesses and properties adjacent to the park.
Project Design and Public Engagement
The project design includes the following elements as illustrated in the design below.
The design includes:
- Electrical upgrades for improved site lighting and seasonal events
- Improved conditions for existing trees
- Leveling of existing pavers throughout the site
- Removal of outdated features including the fountain and arch
- Improvements to the stage for accessibility
- Addition of vehicle barriers using crash rated bollards and deterrents
Click the images below to enlarge:
Join us for the next public meeting on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 from 5:00 to 6:00pm on the 4th floor of the Seaboard Building, 1500 4th Avenue, Seattle, WA 98101.
If you can not attend the meeting but would like to share feedback on the project design, please email us: info@seattleparksfoundation.org
Past Stakeholder Meeting Notes:
- July 15, 2024
- October 16, 2024
- November 18, 2024
- March 5, 2025
- April 16, 2025: image 1, image 2, image 3, image 4, image 5, image 6
Construction Updates
Visit Sellen’s website for the most recent construction updates. It will be updated monthly!
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Contact Us
Design, schedule and general project questions: info@seattleparksfoundation.org
Construction questions: westlakepark@sellen.com