Smith Cove Park Development

Location

Smith Cove Park, 23rd Ave W, between the Magnolia Bridge and the Elliott Bay Marina

Budget

The total budget for the construction of Phase 1 is $3.3 million, funded by the Seattle Park District.

A grant from the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office supported the project planning and design.

Schedule

Planning & Design: Fall 2016 - Fall/Winter 2019
Project On-Hold: 2020 - 2023 (Due to COVID-19 budget impacts)
Project Restarts: 2023-2026

• Investigation Phase (2023-2024): The design team has updated the construction documentation to meet the most current stormwater codes for re-permitting. Stormwater Code changes affected the calculations for On-Site Stormwater Management (OSM), resulting in an overall reduction of about 50% in the area of the required bioretention. The project team updated the stormwater calculations and adjusted to right-sizing the bioretention area for the project. A landscape management plan was also developed to achieve maximum bioretention reductions.
  The bioretention area will be planted with 100% native planting supporting wildlife. Planting in the area adjacent and immediately north of the bioretention (used to be more bioretention in the previous design) is updated to work with the new grading and stormwater conditions. The newly proposed 100% native planting includes added diversity in plant types and species, supporting a broader range of insect and bird habitats. The path loop and log zone along the north edge of this planting area are widened to provide additional places for visitors to walk, sit, interact, and enjoy the park.
• Re-permitting (2024 - Spring 2025): Update the design and submit plans to SDCI for permits.
• Bidding & Construction (Spring 2025-2026): Advertising the project for construction is dependent on obtaining permits. Construction will begin once permits and bidding are completed. Anticipate phase 1 construction to be complete in 2026 and the grow-in period for the grass field begins.  

Project Details

In 2015, the Friends of Smith Cove Park (FoSCP) received a grant from the City of Seattle Department of Neighborhoods to undertake the initial public outreach and conceptual design for the expansion of Smith Cove Park. The FoSCP developed a concept in 2015, with input from the Queen Anne and Magnolia communities, which organized potential uses across the site. In early 2016, SPR hired GGN  as the design consultant who designed both portions of the park with great amenities. 

Due to budget constraints and permitting complexity, SPR is constructing the park with a phased approach.

The phased approach will first develop the property's west parcel/playfield with the existing project budget. The east parcel/shoreline side will be developed when additional funding is identified. The Phase I/west parcel has traditionally been used by the Magnolia Youth Soccer Club. The intent is to maintain this active use and incorporate other active recreational activities such as lacrosse, ultimate frisbee, baseball, and softball.

Improvements will include:

• Natural-turf playfield with an underdrain system
• New off-leash dog area
• Bioretention basin with native planting promoting biodiversity and supporting local habitat
• Landscape features, log zones and widened accessible trails for passive recreation

View the Smith Cove Park Phase 1 Plan

Phase 1 was put on hold during the pandemic. SPR resumed the project in 2024 with the passing of the Seattle Park District Cycle 2 (2023- 2028) and updated construction documents to meet the current stormwater code for re-permitting. 

The future Phase 2 renovations at Smith Cove Park will provide improvements at the east parcel/shoreline side. This parcel contains the original Smith Cove Park, a narrow portion at the south end of the site adjacent to Elliott Bay. Phase 2 will be developed around a King County facility and will include shoreline restoration, access to Elliott Bay, and other park amenities per the 2018 Smith Cove Park Vision Plan.  

View the full design for Smith Cove Park

Community Participation

Design Principles - 8/26/2016

• Design Principles

Public Meeting - 10/6/2016

• Meeting Poster
• Presentation

Public Meeting - 2/8/2017

• Meeting Poster
• Presentation
• Meeting Notes

Public Meeting - 12/5/2017

• Meeting Poster
• Presentation
• Meeting Notes

Seattle Design Commission

• 1/19/2017 Presentation to Seattle Design Commission
• 10/4/2018 Schematic Review Presentation to the Seattle Design Commission