Lower Mapes Creek Restoration Project
The Lower Mapes Creek Restoration Project moves the creek from a storm drain into a parallel, dedicated pipe and then restores approximately 350 feet of the creek into an open, natural channel through Beer Sheva Park to Lake Washington. It will increase the quality and amount of habitat for threatened juvenile Chinook salmon by creating additional stream and riparian habitat. It will also provide an environmental amenity in the park for visitors to enjoy and experience.
Project Schedule
The Lower Mapes Creek Restoration Project and Mapes Walkway/52nd Ave. S. CSO Project schedule is shown below:
| Phase | Timeline |
|---|---|
| Project Design & Permitting | 2012 – June 2013 |
| Public Meetings & Engagement | July 2012 – July 2013 |
| Construction | August 2013 – November 2014 |
| Plant Establishment & Monitoring | 2015 – 2017 |
October 11, 2012 Update
SPU has completed the 60% design for the 52nd Ave. S. CSO Reduction and Lower Mapes Creek Restoration Projects. View plans (pdf).
The Department of Planning and Development (DPD) “Notice of Proposed Land Use Action” sign was installed at Beer Sheva Park for several weeks, with the comments period ending on October 12, 2012.
And, finally, you may have seen bright yellow signs attached to several trees in the project area for a while. These trees in the public right-of-way and will have to be removed for the work; nearly half of the 34 trees are less than 3 inches in diameter. When the work is completed, we will plant 24 new trees to replace them.
August 14, 2012 Community Meeting
Rainier Beach community members and interested neighbors gathered at the Rainier Beach Library on Tuesday, August 14th, to learn more about the design for restoring Lower Mapes Creek through Beer Sheva Park; the underground utility work along the Mapes Walkway, 52nd Ave. S. and S. Henderson St. next summer.
View SPU’s presentation (pdf)
Community comments and questions (pdf)
Back2School Bash
On Saturday, August 11, SPU set up an information table at the “Back 2 School Bash” in Beer Sheva Park from noon to 4 p.m. The event, sponsored by the Rainier Beach Community Empowerment Coalition, drew hundreds of attendees, mostly families with children.
Many visited SPU’s table to learn more about the project that will bring a new creek channel through the park. “Before and After” graphics were displayed and project brochures were distributed in English, Spanish, Chinese, Somali and Tagalog. View the project brochure (pdf) English
The outreach team also promoted the community meeting on Tuesday, 8/14th, at Rainier Beach Library.
Artist Selected – John Grade
The combined Lower Mapes Creek Restoration Project and 52nd Ave. S. CSO Reduction Project will receive $200,000 in Percent for Arts funding. Accordingly, the Seattle Office of Arts & Culture issued a call for artists’ proposals in the spring. A panel of artists, Rainier Beach community members, Seattle Parks & Recreation staff and SPU staff ultimately selected Seattle artist John Grade to create a permanent, site-specific design for the project. John attended the community meeting on August 14th, where people had a chance to meet him and talk briefly about his approach to the commission. Learn more about the artist >
SEPA Status
Seattle Public Utilities has determined this project does not have a probable significant adverse impact on the environment. The Determination of Non-significance (DNS) was signed and issued on February 16, 2012. Comments must be submitted by March 1, 2012, and an appeal must be filed no later than March 8, 2012.
Please see the documents below for more details:
- Addendum to SEPA Checklist (pdf)
- SEPA Checklist (pdf)
- Determination of Non-Significance (pdf)
Links to other sites
Beer Sheva Park
Lake Washington Watershed
Mapes Creek 52nd Ave Walkway