As we mentioned the other day, there are over 400 parks and open areas around the city. But that doesn't mean Seattle is done growing new green spaces for everyone to enjoy. There are a whole bunch of new parks and public spaces that are under construction right now. For Outdoors Week, we perused the upcoming projects and parks and found new spots popping up in North Seattle, West Seattle and South Seattle, ensuring that our city stays green no matter what part you're in. Here are five upcoming projects we're most excited to start spending the day in.
↑ The long-gestating Troll's Knoll Park in Fremont is finally taking shape. The Department of Neighborhoods and Harrison Design are holding a meeting July 16 at the Fremont Abbey Arts Center to see how public input guided the schematic design. Utilizing existing public land to create a new, sustainable park space, Troll's Knoll will include a P-Patch community garden and a critical pedestrian link connecting the two halves of Fremont. It's about time The Troll got some greener surroundings.
↑ The Denny Triangle Urban Center Acquisition Pro Parks Project sure is a mouthful but the 8,722 square-foot property at 2100 Westlake Avenue (currently home to Enterprise Rent-A-Car) could end up being a significant park in Seattle. As towers and skyscrapers grow up all around this space, Denny Triangle needs to hold to whatever greenery it can, even creating some new spaces to fit in-between. Mock-ups have shown possibilities such as a water area, hill-climb and sitting lawn.
↑ Given how important the Yesler Terrace Redevelopment is to Seattle, you can bet the Yesler Neighborhood Park project is right up there as well. The goal is to develop a 1.7 acre neighborhood park that is part of the Yesler Terrace community with areas for children as well as adults. The project is currently in the Planning Phase.
↑ The people of First Hill demand a public area to walk their dog and roll their bocce balls. That's the hope behind the proposed 9,000 sq. ft. open space tentatively called First Hill Park at 800 Columbia Street. Seattle Parks and Recreation is currently working with Alecta, the real estate developer who acquired the property, on making it happen.
↑ No Seattle neighborhood could use a boost of green space quite like South Park. Recently re-connected to the rest of the city, the next logical step would be to follow through on the creation of South Park Plaza, a planned 1.3-acre space that would provide a civic center and gathering space for community gatherings as well as attract visitors. While not entirely a park, it would include green spaces, park amenities and access to the Duwamish River. The Parks department is currently in negotiations to secure future park space.
· All Outdoors Week coverage [CS]
· All Seattle Parks coverage [CS]