Washington Park Arboretum Waterfront Trail
Updated: March 6, 2025
Spring 2025
The timeline to finalize project design drawings has experienced significant setbacks due to delays with state and federal permitting reviews. This review process is now underway, and we hope to have approval to move the project forward by late spring. We do not have enough funding to renovate the entire trail, so we plan to construct improvements in phases as the budget allows. The first phase of work will focus on the design and construction of the Foster Island section of the trail and the floating walkway. Once additional funding is secured, phase two will focus on improvements to the Marsh Island section of trails.
Design and permitting efforts began in 2016, but the lack of funding was a huge issue and together with the community we were able to secure state grant funding to enhance and preserve the Arboretum Waterfront Trail and waterfront access.
Budget
$2 million total
$475,000 - The 520 Bridge Mitigation for design and permitting.
$855,000 - Aquatic Lands Enhancement Account and WWRPA Trails.
$670,000 - The Seattle Parks District Fund
This funding was secured by the Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) grant team and project manager. The funding will not allow us to renovate the entire trail, we will permit the entire trail and construct improvements in phases as budget allows.
Schedule
Design and Permitting: 2018 - 2024
Construction (Phase 1): Summer 2025 - Winter 2026
Construction (Phase 2): TBD
Community Participation
Thank you to the over 1200 people who participated in our online survey for the Waterfront trail and helped to secure this funding. Please see the survey results below.
Grant Presentations