Pathways Park - Burke-Gilman Playground Renovation
Updated: January 8, 2024
Early 2024
Pathways Park (previously known as Burke-Gilman Playground Park)
Bayshore Construction mobilized at the park in April 2023 and the renovation is more than 50% complete! Over the past few weeks, some exciting highlights include:
- Construction of the play cave
- Installation of structural supports for various play equipment (swings, net climber, slides)
- Renovation of the existing restroom building
- Prep and pouring of the many concrete pathways throughout the park.
The project is on schedule to be open in Spring 2024. The park will remain closed during construction. Check back for details about a community construction update and an opening event as we get closer to completion! The north portion of the site along the Burke Gilman Trail and Metropolitan Market remains open.
Construction activities will adhere to all SMC code (25.08C) requirements.
We have heard from our community that there were concerns about access to the Burke Gilman Trail. SPR has installed signage along construction fencing and various points along the trails to indicate site closure and alternate routes. An image of of this sign can be found below. If you are not seeing this sign out at the park, please let us know!
Check out a few of our other nearby parks during the closure:
Bryant Neighborhood Playground Park
Laurelhurst Playfield Park
Magnuson Park
Ravenna Park
Ravenna-Eckstein Park
SUN Park
Location
Pathways Park (Burke-Gilman Playground Park), 5201 Sand Point Way NE, 98105
Budget
The approximately $4.8 million project was funded through a combination of private and public contributions. These include but are not limited to the King County Parks Levy, REET I and Washington State Local Community Projects, and the Seattle Parks Foundation.
Please visit the Eli's Park Project website www.elispark.org for the most current information and to donate.
Schedule
Design: Summer 2018 - Spring 2022
Construction: Beginning Mid-April 2023
Completion: Spring 2024
Project Description
The purpose of this project is to renovate the Burke-Gilman Playground Park into a nature-based park for people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities. The upgrades are in response to community engagement efforts by Eli’s Park Project which highlighted the desire for a park that is welcoming and accessible to all abilities.
Here is the Illustrative Site Plan. The renovation includes improvements to the comfort station, parking, pedestrian lighting, storm water management, irrigation, new plantings, art elements, new play equipment, site furnishings, barbeques, bike racks and more.
As part of the renovation, the community wanted to ensure the park had a name that reflected the vision for this park, which was to create an accessible, inclusive, nature-based park space where people of all ages, abilities and identities can find play and peace.
The community approached Seattle Parks and Recreation in 2017. In 2018, they received a Neighborhood Matching Fund award from the Department of Neighborhoods for the purpose of renovating the park at Burke-Gilman Playground Park into a space that will provide access to nature and community for our diverse community.
Community Participation
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 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 was issued May 27, 2021.
Download the DNS document for additional information
Download the Analysis and Decision of SPR
View the SEPA Environmental Checklist document here
Public Meetings for Eli's Park Project - A community initiated project
• Informational Flier
View the Playground Site Renovation Plan
Hear from Jesús Aguirre, Superintendent of Seattle Parks and Recreation
In the news!
Seattle's new inclusive park to be made in memory of boy with down syndrome - KOMO News
Family wants to renovate park in memory of special toddler - King 5 News
All are welcome and wanted on our journey to design a park for all. The more diverse our interactions, the more inclusive our world can become. To receive notifications about upcoming meetings, please join the Eli's Park Project mailing list.