A. B. Ernst Park Addition
Updated: August 26, 2025
Summer 2025
Please join the project team for an open house on September 30, from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. at the park, 723 N 35th St, Seattle, WA 98103.
In the summer of 2020, the City of Seattle turned its focus on essential functions to address the pandemic and economic crisis, which required a significant reprioritization of resources. Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) suspended many capital projects, including the development of the A. B. Ernst Park Addition site. In September 2022, the Seattle City Council, acting in its role as the Seattle Park District Board, passed a new six-year funding plan for the 2023-2028 Park District cycle, which includes funding for this project and many more.
The project was restarted at the end of 2024, with an intent to bid in mid-late 2025 and targets construction start in late 2025-early 2026. Unfortunately, with the project on pause for several years, some issues must be newly addressed and readdressed on-site, creating impacts on the overall budget.
The park design was previously permitted before 2020, but the permits have since expired. Additionally, the stormwater and tree codes were updated while the project was on hold, and the full project requires redesign before re-permitting. A small pocket of contaminated soil was also confirmed on the expansion parcel that requires additional permitting and care when handling.
Due to the nature of these new constraints, the site design is being revised to fit within the available funding.
Location
719 N 35th St Addition to A. B. Ernst Park, 723 N 35th St, 98103
Budget
$1.9 million from the Seattle Park District, for the planning, design, permitting, and construction of the project.
Schedule
Re-permitting and Construction Documents Completion: Late 2025
Construction start: Early 2026 - Early 2027
Project Description
In December 2010, Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) purchased the vacant 0.10-acre lot immediately west of the park. Subsequently, SPR and the design team worked with the community to integrate the park addition and develop both design and accessibility upgrades. With the project's restart, a minor value engineering effort is underway to ensure the park is constructed within the available funding.
Thank you to everyone who participated in the public process. With input from the community, the design below was developed and includes a small slide, pathway, gathering area, landscaping, and irrigation. View the design with proposed play elements here.
As part of the re-permitting efforts in 2025, the park's design was updated to meet the new requirements and constraints. View the new A. B. Ernst Site Plan Design.
Community Participation
Please join the project team for an open house on September 30, from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. at the park, 723 N 35th St, Seattle, WA 98103.
Open House and Input Opportunity - 6/26/2016
Public Meeting - 8/16/2016
Public Meeting and Open House - 10/24/2016