Volunteer Park Amphitheater Replacement

Updated: June 30, 2022

Grand Opening and Summer Series at the Volunteer Park Amphitheater

Announcing the free Grand Opening & Summer Series at the Volunteer Park Amphitheater, produced by Volunteer Park Trust from July 2nd to August 18th.

In celebration of the completion of the new Volunteer Park Amphitheater, Volunteer Park Trust and Seattle Parks and Recreation are throwing a Grand Opening celebration featuring music and keynote speakers on Saturday, July 2nd from 2:00-7:00pm.

Over the summer, Volunteer Park Trust is also producing the Summer Series at the Amphitheater, hosting six free shows and performances on Thursday evenings, July 14 to August 18, from 6:00-8:30 p.m. Learn more at this Parkways blog page.

Spring 2022 Update

The project is almost complete. The concrete strike delayed final completion. June 2022 is the current anticipated opening date. Work is expected to be completed sooner but portions of the landscape need to establish before we can open it.

Bid documents  for construction were made in accordance with the March 4, Certificate of Approval from the Landmarks Preservation Board (LPB). Because Volunteer Park is a City landmark, we also needed this approval from the Board to demolish the existing brick stage and restroom structure and construct the proposed amphitheater stage with restrooms.

Thank you to everyone who volunteered at the Fall Restoration Day in September 2019 and stopped by our tent to view the design for the new amphitheater. The amphitheater design is based on extensive outreach with the community, and input from the Friends of Seattle Olmsted Parks and the Landmarks Preservation Board. The new amphitheater will be fully accessible, have overhead weather and sun protection for the performers and include public restrooms. Here are the updated images that were presented: 

rendering of proposed amphitheater, daytime

rendering of proposed amphitheatre with audience in the evening

aerial drawing of proposed amphitheater layout in the park

The Volunteer Park Trust is fundraising for this project.  To donate or contact them please visit this link

Thank you to everyone who viewed the updated schematic design package and joined us at the January 31 public meeting to learn about the next steps for the amphitheater. View the meeting presentation and other documents below.

In partnership with Volunteer Park Trust, Seattle Parks and Recreation is replacing the Volunteer Park Amphitheater. This project will replace the current failing Amphitheater with a modern structure meeting community needs for a versatile outdoor performance space. The replacement will enhance the historic Olmsted landscape, improve the quality of space for daily park users, broaden performance diversity, provide full ADA compliance, reduce net maintenance and operating costs for the facility, and improve acoustics, noise control, safety and access.

Location

Volunteer Park, 1247 15th Ave E, 98112

Budget

Seattle Park District provides $900,000 from the Major Projects Challenge Fund toward planning, design and construction. Additional contributions and funding from other sources will fill out the $2.7 million total budget.

Schedule

Planning and Design: 2018 - 2019
Construction: Spring - Spring 2022
Completion: June 2022

Project Description

This project will replace the current failing Amphitheater in Volunteer Park with a modern structure meeting community needs for a versatile outdoor performance space. The replacement will enhance the historic Olmsted landscape, improve the quality of space for daily park users, broaden performance diversity, provide full ADA compliance, reduce net maintenance and operating costs for the facility, and improve acoustics, noise control, safety and access.

Community Participation

Please participate in the public process as we work together to replace the amphitheater.

Public Meeting 1/31/2019

Fall Restoration Day/Open House 9/22/2019

Parks and Recreation

AP Diaz, Interim Superintendent
Mailing Address: 100 Dexter Ave N, Seattle, WA, 98109
Phone: (206) 684-4075
Fax: (206) 615-1813
pks_info@seattle.gov

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