In news that will come as no surprise for anyone who has recently visited Seattle’s newly revamped waterfront, an international organization just recognized it with an award. Seattle’s Waterfront Park was the winner of the 2025 Outstanding New Park Project Award from World Urban Parks. After years in the making, Waterfront Park was officially completed this September—and it’s already garnering global acclaim.
Read on for all the details!
World Urban Parks is an international organization that highlights innovative public spaces around the world. Every year, it recognizes park projects that promote vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable communities worldwide.
This award recognizes the recent transformation of Seattle’s central waterfront into a major civic space that connects Pioneer Square and the sports stadiums to waterfront attractions such as Pike Place Market and Pier 62. Opened in phases over recent years, Waterfront Park just celebrated its official grand opening in September 2025.
The 20-acre park features a pedestrian promenade with a bike path along Elliott Bay, a new public restroom, landscaped gardens, nine public art installations, rebuilt piers, a scenic elevated connection to Pike Place Market, and two new play areas. It also prioritized design elements aimed at sustainability, such as plantings that filter stormwater and support shoreline habitat restoration. Seattle Parks and Recreation stated in an Instagram post that Waterfront Park is a “true testament to the power of parks to connect communities and celebrate nature.”
“This award is a testament to the power of parks to connect us to nature and to each other,” said Seattle Parks and Recreation Superintendent AP Diaz in a statement shared in the announcement on parkways.seattle.gov. “Waterfront Park embodies our commitment to building places where everyone feels welcome and inspired.”
The park is operated through a partnership between the City of Seattle and Friends of Waterfront Park, a nonprofit that organizes free public events year-round including concerts, festivals, fitness classes, and art installations. Seattle Center also works to keep the park welcoming and accessible, overseeing maintenance, operations and safety.
To see upcoming events and programming at Seattle’s Waterfront Park, visit waterfrontparkseattle.org.