Overview:
Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) is hosting a community ribbon-cutting event on Saturday, April 26, to celebrate the grand opening of South Park Plaza. The new park, located at 8456 Dallas Ave. S, features a play area, a large plaza, seat walls, lighting, and landscaping. It also includes multicultural elements such as Lushootseed etchings, multi-colored tile installations, large metal letters, and Indigenous plantings and story rocks. The .83-acre site was acquired in 2014 and development was made possible by funding from the King County Conservation Futures and the 2008 Parks and Green Spaces Levy.
Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) is inviting the public to celebrate the grand opening of South Park Plaza with a community ribbon-cutting event on Saturday, April 26, from noon to 2 p.m. The new park is located at 8456 Dallas Ave. S, just west of the South Park Bridge.
The free event will feature music, food, and opportunities to explore the new park, meet neighbors, and learn about the community partnerships that brought the project to life. SPR is hosting the celebration in collaboration with the Office of Sustainability’s Duwamish Valley Program, the Duwamish River Community Coalition, Cultivate South Park, and SPR Rec ‘n the Streets.
“The opening of the state-of-the-art South Park Plaza is exciting news for this vibrant neighborhood, giving neighbors a new multi-generational space to gather, play, and forge stronger connections,” said Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell. “I’m pleased that the park incorporates the Lushootseed language and Indigenous plantings, uplifting the historical significance of this neighborhood to our city’s Indigenous communities.”
South Park Plaza brings a new river gateway park to the neighborhood, featuring a play area, large plaza, seat walls, lighting, and landscaping. Designed with input from local residents, the park also reflects the cultural richness of the community through elements such as Lushootseed etchings of the word “river,” multi-colored tile installations, large metal letters spelling out “South Park,” and Indigenous plantings and story rocks.
“This new park clearly demonstrates Seattle Parks and Recreation values with an emphasis on Vibrant Community,” said AP Diaz, Seattle Parks and Recreation Superintendent. “We worked with the community to include multicultural elements throughout the park… It is going to be a great park and I’m looking forward to the opening celebration.”
The .83-acre site was acquired in 2014 through a community-driven initiative, with funding from the King County Conservation Futures and the 2008 Parks and Green Spaces Levy to address a need for more open space in the neighborhood. Development of the plaza was later made possible by funding from the Seattle Park District, approved by voters, and a King County Healthy Communities & Parks Grant.
In a nod to future growth, SPR is working to purchase an adjacent parcel along the river from King County with plans to expand the park.
“I’m grateful for the advocacy and collaboration with the community over the years to complete this park and look forward to the cultural celebrations and neighborhood gatherings that it will host for years to come,” added Harrell.