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City of Seattle
Gregory J. Nickels, Mayor
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NEWS ADVISORY
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| SUBJECT: Seattle Parks to Join Mayor, Community for Grand Opening of I-5 Colonnade
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
12/2/2005 1:35:00 PM |
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Dewey Potter (206) 684-7241
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Seattle Parks to Join Mayor, Community for Grand Opening of I-5 Colonnade
Unique space under freeway provides recreation opportunities!
WHAT:Grand opening of I-5 Colonnade, a Pro Parks Levy-funded Project that offers the Eastlake and Capitol Hill communities great new pedestrian connections and recreational opportunities that include a new off-leash area (Seattle’s 10th!) new public art, John Roloff’s “Climate Zone,” and the upcoming mountain bike course.
WHO: Mayor Greg Nickels, Councilmember Richard Conlin, State Rep. Ed Murray, Parks and Recreation Superintendent Ken Bounds, Seattle Office of Arts and Cultural Affairs Director Michael Killoren, representatives from Citizens for Off-Leash Areas, Backcountry Bicycle Trails Club and Urban Sparks, and representatives of the Eastlake Community Council.
WHEN: Saturday, December 3, 2005, noon to 1 p.m.
WHERE: New I-5 Colonnade, under I-5 south of E Howe Street between Lakeview Boulevard and Franklin Avenue E, accessible from Eastlake Avenue.
I-5 Colonnade is a 7.5-acre open space that results from the collaborative efforts of Parks, the Eastlake and Capitol Hill communities, the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), and the mountain bike, road bicycle, and dog off-leash area communities, to create one of the most unique open spaces in Seattle.
Located on WSDOT property, the space has been converted into a recreation area with pedestrian and bicycle commuter connections between Capitol Hill and Eastlake, a highly specialized mountain bike course, Seattle’s tenth dog off-leash area, and public art. The project evolved from the Eastlake Tomorrow Committee’s Eastlake Neighborhood Plan and from the need for an off-leash area in central Seattle.
The project is funded with 1.8 million from the 2000 Pro Parks Levy. Working with the community to create a vision for the open space, Parks held a series of community meetings in 2003, and Parks and WSDOT worked together to formulate a long-term lease of the property.
The site is covered by the interstate, giving it an almost indoor environment and allowing for a variety of uses throughout the year. It also The property also features dramatic views of Lake Union.
The art project is administered through the Office of Arts and Cultural Affairs. San Francisco-based artist John Roloff has created “Climate Zone” that mimics the weather, as well as sun and moonlight.
Approved by Seattle voters in 2000, the $198.2 million Pro Parks Levy will fund more than 100 projects throughout the city over eight years. Projects include improvements to athletic fields, playgrounds, trails and community centers and parks. Funding will also increase green spaces, support Zoo programs and enhance park maintenance.
For more information, please contact Parks Project Manager Andy Sheffer at (206) 684-7041 or email him at andrew.sheffer@seattle.gov.
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Seattle Parks and Recreation
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