Licton Springs Park

About

The Restroom Replacement Project info is below.

Licton Springs was once a healing center for Native Americans, who constructed sweat lodges and bathed in the mineral waters of the springs. After pioneer David Denny built a cabin near the springs in 1870, hundreds of settlers drove for miles to immerse themselves in the spring water and the mud.

Today, rustic, natural qualities arise from the sights and sounds of trickling streams, long grasses waving in the breeze, small ponds, and winding paths. The park itself is available for weddings and ceremonies.

The springs site remained a picnic area until 1935, when E. A. Jensen bought the site and built a spa. Then thousands flocked to the springs to take the waters and dunk in the thermal baths. In 1960 Seattle voters approved the site as a park, and the City bought the springs in 1961. Licton Springs still flows through the park. Historically, there were two springs within the park. The larger spring at the park's south end was filled with silt in the early 1960s. The smaller "iron spring" still exists today (somewhat modified) in the northwest corner of the park within the wooded area. 

Licton Springs Public Restroom Replacement Project

Summer 2025 

Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) has some changes to share regarding this project. The SPR Senior Architects and Landscape Architects on staff will take over the remaining design work for the restroom replacement and associated site design. SPR is currently working to complete contracting with all the necessary consultants to complete the project.

During this time of transition, we are still working to make progress! To balance budget and timeline considerations, SPR will be providing 2 all gender restrooms rather than 3 at this site. This will allow for a more compact project footprint, which has positive environmental impacts and allows for a shorter construction timeline. SPR has met with Seattle City Light (SCL) onsite to review existing conditions and review plans for the new electrical service for the new building.  

SPR will continue to work with the Office of Arts and Culture and the artist Diane Bocking-Byrd (Snoqualmie). We are excited to include her artworks at this facility.

Timeline of previous public meetings:

• The first meeting was held on January 18, 2023, and solicited input about the desired location and site features associated with the renovation.
• The second meeting was held on April 19, 2023, and solicited input on three different location options for the restroom.
• The third meeting was held on July 19, 2023, and the design team presented the preferred site plan and layout for the future restroom. 

The fire-damaged restroom has been removed, and the facilities crews have secured the site until construction can begin on the restroom.

SPR  secured $250,000 to develop a pre-design study for rebuilding the restroom. The final pre-design study, along with and cost estimate, was approved by SPR and submitted to the insurance company for a final construction budget.

For more information, please contact Jordan Lewis at Jordan.Lewis@seattle.gov