Garfield Super Block - Play Area, Promenade & Restroom Renovation
Updated: June 6, 2025
Spring 2025
Please join us for a Ceremonial "Groundbreaking" event on Wednesday, June 11 from 4-5 p.m. at Garfield Playfield! Thank you to all our partners and funders on the project. We are excited to kick-off the project!
Seattle Department of Transportation's (SDOT) right of way (ROW) improvements on E Cherry and 25th Ave, near the Garfield Superblock Site, are making great progress! The ramps at 25th and Jefferson are complete, and work continues on the east and west sides of 25th Ave. Work along Cherry Street has not yet begun. This SDOT work is funded by the Neighborhood Street Fund. Learn more here: https://www.seattle.gov/transportation/projects-and-programs/programs/neighborhood-street-fund/garfield-superblock-enhancements-
Other exciting scope elements that will be included in this project are the Garfield Playfields – G1 Returf & G3 Conversion. Please scroll down to the bottom of this page to learn more!
Did you know the park will be home to some amazing artwork via a separate capital campaign? Learn more about the new art coming to Garfield Superblock, and how you can donate here: https://www.garfieldsuperblock.org/art-at-gsb
Location
Garfield Playfield Campus, 537 25th Ave, 98122
Budget
The project has secured over $9.4 million. Funding for this project has been a partnership with successful fundraising efforts from the Garfield Super Block Coalition. Funding Sources include:
Recreation and Conservation Office Grants
- 1.9 million - National Park Service LWCF Legacy Program
- $248, 000 - Planning for Recreation Access
Washington State Department of Commerce
- $2.9 million - Department of Commerce Local Community Projects
King County:
- $209,000 - Healthy Communities & Park Fund
- $800,000 - Parks Capital & Open Space
City of Seattle
- $2.83 Million - Seattle Parks and Recreation (REET I, II, and Metropolitan Park District Equity Fund)
- $500,000 - Seattle Public Schools 2022 Levy
Thank you to all of our funders!
Schedule
Design, Permitting & Bidding: 2023-Spring 2025
Construction: Summer 2025 (Funding and Permitting Contingent)
Project Description
The community-initiated Garfield Super Block Project will enhance the Central Area’s community gathering place by providing renovations such as a new restroom building, renovated playground, addition of basketball courts to the existing tennis courts, an accessible 0.34-mile walking loop, a new accessible ramp to enter the site at the southeast (SE) corner, along with renovations of other existing accessible routes already onsite. Other improvements include a nature play pocket, a climate adaptive garden, as well as updated plantings and site lighting throughout. Depending on the contractor’s bids for construction, the project could add a covered picnic shelter, parkour park and park furnishings.
During construction, the contractor will need to close the park. SPR and the contractor hired for the project will work to minimize the impact on the neighborhood. We anticipate construction to last from spring 2025 to early 2026. We are committed to maintaining access to the playfields for previously scheduled field users (softball and baseball teams, little leagues, and soccer organizations). This will be included as a requirement for the contractor. During practices and competitions, the spectator portion/seating will be limited or unavailable.
Once the project has a contractor on board, we will develop a phasing plan to better describe construction impacts. The closures are necessary to construct the park safely. Thank you for your patience and cooperation as we make great improvements to the park.
Community Participation
Thank you to everyone who participated in the community engagement process! Please follow this page for construction and completion updates.
60% Design Open House - 2/1/24
- Meeting Presentation
- Event Flyer
- Event Flyer Translations in Amharic - አማርኛ; Traditional Chinese - 中國語文; Somali - Af-Soomaali; Spanish - Español; Tagalog; Vietnamese - Tiếng Việt
Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) has determined that the project does not have a probable significant adverse impact on the environment. An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is not required under RCW 43.21C.030(2)(c). This decision was made after a review of a completed environmental checklist and other information on file with SPR. This information is available to the public on request.
The Determination of Non-Significance (DNS) was issued on January 8, 2024, under 197-11-340(2). The lead agency, Seattle Parks and Recreation, will not act on this proposal for 14 days from the date of issuance (January 8, 2024).
Download the DNS document for additional information.
Garfield Playfields – G1 Returf & G3 Conversion
Spring 2025
G1 is the existing synthetic turf field in the southwest corner. The synthetic turf is at the end of its lifecycle and will be replaced during the larger Superblock Construction.
G3 is the existing clay softball field in the northeast corner. Thanks to the community advocacy, this infield will be converted to synthetic turf to increase playability and solve ponding and other water drainage issues.
Budget
The G3 infield conversion project has secured $1.5 million in funding from the Seattle City Council.
Thank you to the Seattle City Council for this investment.
Schedule
Design, Permitting & Bidding: Late Spring 2025 – Late Summer 2025
Construction: Late 2025 - Early 2026 (Permitting Contingent)