Seattle’s Pier 58 To Reopen July 25 With Family Celebration

Seattle’s waterfront will welcome back a beloved landmark this summer when the newly rebuilt Pier 58 opens to the public on Friday, July 25 2025. Marking a major milestone in the city’s reimagined 20-acre Waterfront Park, the Office of the Waterfront, Civic Projects, and Sound Transit will host a free community celebration from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Originally opened in 1974, Pier 58—once known as Waterfront Park—was a familiar part of the Seattle waterfront before it was removed in 2020 for safety reasons. Now, it returns as the final major addition to the revitalized park system. The pier adds nearly 50,000 square feet of new public space between Union and Pike streets, next to the Seattle Aquarium. Designed with families in mind, Pier 58 blends play areas, art, open spaces, and ecological features to create a vibrant destination for both residents and visitors.

“Since 1974, Pier 58—once known as Waterfront Park—has been part of so many waterfront memories,” said Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell. “Now, we celebrate its return as yet another incredible piece of our reimagined, expanded 20-acre Waterfront Park, and a one-of-a-kind play space for our kids.” Harrell praised the redesigned pier for honoring Seattle’s past while providing a future rooted in safe, welcoming, and accessible public space for all.

The July 25 celebration will include music, dancing, games, and appearances by local mascots. The event is free, family-friendly, and open to all. Marine-themed costumes are encouraged. Visitors can reach Pier 58 via the free Waterfront Shuttle at Stop D.

Pier 58’s features invite visitors to play, relax, and learn about the marine environment. Its central playground reflects ideas gathered from hundreds of community members through an online survey. Parents and kids requested tall slides and climbing structures—and the result is a whimsical, marine-themed play area.

At the heart of the playground stands a 25-foot-tall jellyfish-inspired climbing tower with flowing tentacle-like elements and an 18-foot slide. Around it, visitors will find crab wobble boards, kelp forest elements, and magnetic bead panels for accessible play. Fun fact—thanks to the Seattle Aquarium, visitors can learn that jellyfish, or “jellies,” are 98% water. If stranded on a sunny beach, they can evaporate almost entirely. And while hermit crabs might sound solitary, they often gather in groups of 100 or more in the wild. Though Pier 58 doesn’t feature that many wobble boards, visitors will find them in playful clusters.

The elevated lawn offers nearly 3,000 square feet of artificial turf—an ideal spot for picnics, lounging, or simply enjoying waterfront views. Artificial turf was chosen for its durability and year-round accessibility. Surrounding the lawn are more than 400 native plants and built-in benches, creating a comfortable, scenic gathering space.

Nearby, a tree grove planted with Frontier Elm trees provides welcome shade and vibrant maroon fall foliage. These hardy trees thrive in both wet and dry conditions, making them a perfect fit for the pier. The grove includes a variety of seating options, from built-in benches to movable tables and chairs, encouraging visitors to relax, eat, or play games under the canopy.

Pier 58 also supports marine habitat restoration. On its north side, near the Park Promenade and Seattle Aquarium, a 5,000-square-foot open water section allows sunlight to reach the shallow water below. This light encourages the growth of aquatic plants that feed fish and other marine life. Additionally, light-penetrating grating on the bridge’s west side helps juvenile fish safely navigate nearshore waters where there are fewer predators.

A flexible plaza space offers room for community gatherings, events, and everyday enjoyment. Like nearby Pier 62, Pier 58 will host a range of activities—from fitness classes and live music to markets and family events. Friends of Waterfront Park will manage programming and daily operations.

“This new family-friendly space—with its playful design and stunning views—is an open invitation to gather, explore, and build lasting memories,” said Joy Shigaki, president and CEO of Friends of Waterfront Park, as she emphasized the organization’s long-term commitment to creating a vibrant, welcoming waterfront through community partnerships and diverse programming.

Adding a layer of learning, Pier 58 features metal inlays that illustrate underwater topography, or bathymetry. On the south side, inlays mark water depths beneath the pier. On the north side, near the playground, others display names of sea creatures linked to different water depths. Visitors can explore how marine life changes from shallow to deeper waters.

Public art also plays a key role at Pier 58. The historic Waterfront Fountain by James FitzGerald and Margaret Tomkins returns to its original location after restoration, now accompanied by a new basin. Installed in 1974, the fountain is one of two historic water features returning to the waterfront, along with the Joshua S. Green Sr. Fountain by George Tsutakawa near Colman Dock.

Across from Pier 58 on the Park Promenade, a new installation by Coast Salish artist Qwalsius—Shaun Peterson—will welcome visitors. His work, Family, features three carved figures that honor the Coast Salish people and their tradition of greeting guests through sculpture. Both the fountain and Peterson’s installation are funded by the Central Waterfront 1% Funds in partnership with the Office of Arts & Culture.

With its blend of history, art, play, and ecological design, Pier 58 is set to become a vibrant centerpiece of Seattle’s evolving waterfront.

For additional details about the July 25 celebration, transportation options, and upcoming events at Pier 58 and throughout Waterfront Park, visit waterfrontseattle.org.