Seattle Parks And Rec Continues Lake Washington Boulevard Renovations

Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR), in partnership with the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) and community members, is moving forward with Phase 2 of the Lake Washington Boulevard Renovations Project. Construction for this phase is scheduled to begin in mid-July or early August 2025 and continue through the fall.

Phase 2 will build upon improvements completed during Phase 1 to further enhance safety, accessibility, and enjoyment along the popular corridor.

Key upgrades planned for this phase include:

• Pathway repairs from Mount Baker Beach to Genesee Park, where asphalt pavement will be fixed to address tripping hazards caused by tree roots, improving safety and comfort for walkers, runners, and cyclists.

• New benches near the Lake Washington Fishing Pier, adding seating options in the northern mile of the corridor and filling a critical “bench gap” to offer pedestrians more places to rest.

• A new walkway connection along 43rd Avenue, creating a direct pedestrian route from Lake Washington Boulevard to South Genesee Street and linking with the marked crossing installed in Phase 1.

• A new walkway connection from South Adams Street, providing an accessible path from the South Adams Street intersection to the existing Lake Washington Boulevard pathway, enhancing connectivity to the waterfront.

• Curb extensions at the 51st Avenue South intersection, designed to visually narrow the intersection, encourage slower vehicle turning speeds, improve sightlines, and reduce pedestrian crossing distances.

• A new marked crossing at South Dawson Street, adding painted crosswalks to alert drivers to pedestrian activity at this southern segment intersection.

These improvements reflect priorities identified by community members during extensive outreach. Project summaries and final design reports are available for those interested in learning more about the planning process.

Looking ahead, a third phase of upgrades is planned for summer 2026. SDOT is currently monitoring traffic volumes and speed data at locations studied as part of the Rainier Avenue South Vision Zero and Lake Washington Boulevard Keep Moving Street Data Analysis. Findings will inform the design and implementation of Phase 3 improvements.