Here in the Emerald City we are spoiled for choice when it comes to Seattle city parks. There’s always room for improvement, though, which is why plans for several new Seattle parks are in the works. These projects endeavor to take existing, underutilized green spaces in the city and renovate them so that people can get the maximum use out of them while preserving natural habitats and protecting urban wildlife. Although it can be a years-long process due to the limitations of permits, funding, and red tape, we are excited to see these four new city parks opening in Seattle.
Read on for all the details!
1. Lake City Floodplain Park
Located in Seattle’s Lake City neighborhood on NE 125th St near 24th Ave NE, the upcoming Lake City Floodplain Park is designed to be a “new natural area” and a “community green space that supports a healthier Thornton Creek.” Public comments left on the park project website ask for the project to consider including an off-leash dog area, a footbridge over the creek, and safe pedestrian access to the park.
The most recent update in September 2024 on seattle.gov shared the conceptual design, which you can view here.
Opening date: Although there is no official opening date yet, construction is planned to begin sometime around 2025-2026.
Read more about the park and see project updates here.
2. Cayton Corner Park
Cayton Corner Park is intended to be a pocket park located in Seattle’s Central District at 19th Street and Madison. Named after a Black family who settled in the neighborhood in the late 19th/early 20th century, the park is designed to be a community gathering space. It will include a small lawn area, picnic tables, and accessibility features.
Opening date: The most recent update in August 2024, shared that contractors are working to open the park by spring 2025.
Read more about this park on seattle.gov.
3. Gateway Park North
Located in Seattle’s Georgetown neighborhood on the bank of the Duwamish River, the goal for Gateway Park North is to be “a safe and welcoming street end park to view the Duwamish River, learn about local history and launch hand-carry kayaks, canoes or row boats.” Current challenges include lack of parking, industrial activity nearby, and an inaccessible route to the park. Once it is completed, the park will have benches or tables, anti-erosion native plants and trees, and a walkable route with sidewalks (just to name a few planned improvements).
Opening date: Although you can currently visit the site, we haven’t been able to find an exact completion date for this park’s makeover project. We’ll update this once we know more.
Read more about this park on the Seattle Parks Foundation website.
4. 1125 Harvard Avenue East Park
One of the most exciting new city parks coming to Seattle doesn’t have a name yet. Located four blocks west of Volunteer Park in Capitol Hill, the 1.6-acre site at 1125 Harvard Avenue East is comprised of a private yard, garden, and A-frame house designed by Seattle architect Frank Bassetti. The owner and resident of the house, Kay Bullitt, gave the property to the City of Seattle for use as a future park in 1972 but lived there until her passing in 2021.
Now Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) is working to figure out renovation approval after the site (including the house) was designated a city landmark in July 2023. Unfortunately SPR doesn’t expect to have funding for the design and development of the entire site until 2029 at the earliest. That said, SPR said they still “want to provide meaningful access for the public to enjoy part of the park” in the meantime.
Opening date: In an update shared on January 2025, SPR said they plan to open a portion of the park in fall 2025 for people to enjoy the gardens and lawn. The house will remain closed to the public for now.
As for the park’s name, that is still to be determined.
Read more about the plans for this park on seattle.gov.