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Elliott Bay Connections

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Land Acknowledgement

The Seattle Waterfront is situated on the land of the Coast Salish Peoples, who have resided here since time immemorial and continue to thrive.

With respect and humility, we acknowledge the history of the waterfront, the dispossession of land from the Coast Salish people, and, most importantly, the strength and resilience of the Native people and their culture through this history to the present.

With respect and humility, we acknowledge the history of the waterfront, the dispossession of land from the Coast Salish people, and, most importantly, the strength and resilience of the Native people and their culture through this history to the present.

An old black and white photograph of the Seattle Waterfront showing many canoes docked along the shore, lots of people and wooden houses in the distance.
University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections, A. Curtis 25180, NA698.

Project Overview

Elliott Bay Connections (EBC) is a public–private partnership to connect, restore and revitalize public parks along the Elliott Bay waterfront from Pier 62 (just north of the Seattle Aquarium) to The Beach at Expedia Group.

To accomplish this, EBC will build a pedestrian and bicycle greenway trail on the east side of Alaskan Way, connecting the new Waterfront Park to the Olympic Sculpture Park, and restore and revitalize Myrtle Edwards and Centennial parks. The EBC project, expected to be complete by Summer 2026, is funded entirely by private philanthropic donations.

The Downtown Seattle Association (DSA) is EBC’s private implementation partner in this public-private partnership. DSA will serve as fiscal agent and project sponsor for all necessary agreements, permits and contracts. The City of Seattle Mayor’s Office, the Port of Seattle and the Suquamish and Muckleshoot Indian tribes fully support the Elliott Bay Connections project. EBC will continue to work closely with representatives of the tribes and the Urban Native community to ensure inclusion of Native perspective, knowledge, practices and language in the project design and implementation.

Based in Seattle: Based in Vancouver, BC:
A satellite image of the western shore of downtown Seattle along Elliott Bay with markings for Waterfront Park, Alaskan Way safety project protected bike lane, the Olympic Sculpture Park, and the beach at Expedia Group. Callout boxes point out the how the Elliott Bay Connections project will create a new pedestrian and bicycle greenway trail on the east side of Alaskan Way, between Pier 62 and the Olympic Sculpture Park and will restore and revitalize Myrtle Edwards & Centennial parks.
EBC will connect the parks along the Elliott Bay Waterfront with a new pedestrian and bicycle greenway trail and restore and revitalize Myrtle Edwards and Centennial parks.

Project Goals

Elliott Bay Connections aims to create a continuous, connected experience for people walking, rolling, biking and recreating along the Elliott Bay waterfront by:

  • Connecting the parks of Elliott Bay with a new greenway trail between Waterfront Park and Olympic Sculpture Park.
  • Connecting people to Myrtle Edwards and Centennial parks with the restoration and revitalization of these parks.
  • Connecting people to the Salish Sea and the indigenous communities and culture that have lived and thrived here since time immemorial.
  • Connecting people to each other by helping make the Elliott Bay waterfront a welcoming place for all.

Project Description

Artist renderings in a watercolor style of people sitting on Myrtle Edwards Beach.
Artist rendering of people riding bikes along the new greenway trail.
Artist rendering of plants along Centennial Park.

Pedestrian and Bicycle Greenway Trail on the East Side of Alaskan Way

Elliott Bay Connections will create a new, protected, greenway trail for people of all ages and abilities walking, biking and rolling on the east side of Alaskan Way, between Pier 62 and the Olympic Sculpture Park. The greenway trail will complement the Seattle Department of Transportation’s Alaskan Way Safety Project, which will build a two-way protected bike lane on the west side of Alaskan Way.

New Greenway Trail:
  • A new multi-use path designed for people of all ages and abilities walking, biking and rolling, replacing the obsolete trolley track and sidewalk on the east side of Alaskan Way.
  • Lush landscape areas along the multi-use path will feature native trees, shrubs and ground cover plantings.
  • New directional signage to provide clear navigation for residents and visitors.
  • New and improved lighting.

Before

A photo of the existing greenway trail that has old, exposed train tracks, patchy pavement and some sections of gravel and grass.

After

Artist rendering of the greenway trail with a wide paved path and many people biking and walking.
The pedestrian and bicycle greenway trail will replace the obsolete trolley track and sidewalk on the east side of Alaskan Way with a multi-use path designed for people of all ages and abilities walking, biking and rolling.

Myrtle Edwards and Centennial Parks

Elliott Bay Connections will restore and revitalize Myrtle Edwards and Centennial parks, creating a unified experience for park users of all ages and abilities to enjoy the combined 16 acres of open public park space, extending for more than a mile along Elliott Bay.

Park Improvements:
  • Repair and enhance pedestrian and bike trails in the parks, including adding new lighting.
  • Improve public access to two beach coves in Myrtle Edwards Park, including enhancing shoreline habitat.
  • Refresh park landscapes with abundant native plantings, including new lawns, meadows and trees that flourish in coastal conditions.
  • New public amenities building with restrooms and food concession.
  • Restore and revitalize park amenities, including increasing and improving picnic tables and seating and adding new kid-friendly exploratory play elements.
  • Support the restoration of existing public artwork.
  • Add new wayfinding and directional signage.
  • Honor the Coast Salish people with indigenous design, plantings and interpretive narratives throughout the park.

Before

A photo of the existing Centennial Park showing the bike path, walking path and grass area.

After

Artist’s rendering of Centennial Park with added picnic tables, lighting, improved bike path, and more native plants.
Elliott Bay Connections will add and update park amenities, including paths, picnic tables, seating and lighting.

Before

A photo of the existing Myrtle Edwards Park beach full of driftwood.

After

Artist’s rendering of the beach that has been cleared for people to walk on with some driftwood for bench seating and a walking path for easy access to the beach.
Elliott Bay Connections will restore the beach coves in Myrtle Edwards Park, enhancing habitat and making it easier for people to touch the water.

Project Schedule

The project is currently in the design phase. The EBC project team will share a final design later this year. Construction is expected to begin in early 2025 and be complete by Summer 2026, in time for Seattle to welcome the FIFA World Cup. Construction will be phased to limit impacts and preserve public access to green space and pathways.

A timeline graphic showing the Design Phase from Fall 2023 to Summer 2024, Permitting Phase from Summer 2024 to mid 2025, Construction Phase from early 2025 to June 2026 in time for the FIFA World Cup. Outreach & Community Engagement began before Fall 2023 and continues through the whole project until completion for the FIFA World Cup in June 2026.
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