Seattle Parks Meeting Recap (April 2025)

Notes from April 2nd, 2025 LCC meeting with Seattle Parks & Recreation

Members of the Seattle Parks and Recreation department attended the Leschi Community Council (LCC) monthly meeting on April 2nd. Olivia Reed, a Planner with Parks, provided an update on the Leschi South Marina project. While Reed described the benefits of the project - including removal of toxic creosote from the current pier and protection for boats from the new breakwater - attendees raised concerns about the lack of public involvement early on in the project. LCC’s John Barber explained that five years ago a public notice was posted but residents thought it would be a simple upgrade and not a major project.

The new structure will include two walkways providing access to a fixed platform. The new piles will support floats in an L-shaped configuration. The width will decrease from the current 40 feet to 16 feet wide. This addresses the need to minimize the shadow on the water to make it harder for predators to eat young, migrating salmon. This also helps protect local tribes’ fishing rights.

The new dock is connected to the breakwater and will be all one structure with unrestricted public access (no security gates). Reed confirmed that boats would be able to moor along the pier (on the outside of the L part of the structure). There will be lighting, drinking water, kayak racks, and a sewage pump which can be used by anyone. When asked about additional benches, Reed explained that there will be benches added to the floating structure but none are slated to be added to the shoreline part of the park. The shore will be enhanced with better ramping into the water including a pebble beach.

In late Spring 2025, pending permits, new electrical services will be added through a vault near Leschi market and there will be excavation for sewer and water as well. This might be disruptive for a few days but there is a traffic control plan in place to prevent more than one lane being shut down at a time. In August of this year, the City will focus on cleaning up the debris in the water using barges and professional divers. Offshore barges will also be used for the construction to minimize the impact to the park. In late Summer of 2025, the City will focus on shoreline restoration with removal of blackberries and other invasive species. Thanks to LCC advocacy, the City will be planting shrubs and not trees in order to maintain the view. They will also install a barrier to protect the new plants. Demolition of the existing dock, float, and breakwater will start in Fall 2025.

Because the project is still waiting on permits, there is no projected completion date. To follow progress on the project, go to: https://www.seattle.gov/parks/about-us/projects/leschi-south-marina-wave-attenuator-and-facility-improvements

Sean Hermes, the Southeast/South Central Crew Chief for Parks, provided an update on Leschi park maintenance. Due to the lifting of the hiring freeze, the mowing and routine maintenance schedule will now include evening and weekend shifts. Parks has hired 10 employees for this region including laborers and a senior gardener to help bring Leschi parks up to pre-COVID standards. Now laborers will be able to maintain 3-4 parks a day rather than 6-7. The new employees are currently being trained so residents should start seeing an improvement very soon.

Hermes explained the volunteer inspection program where community volunteers help inspect local parks and then Hermes conducts a walk-through with the volunteers.  He talked about the value of having volunteer eyes on the parks. Hermes also talked about how to organize work parties and other volunteer projects. Parks will bring supplies, equipment and provide safety training. To set up a work party or to learn about the park inspection program, go to https://www.seattle.gov/parks/volunteer.

Questions were asked about the restrooms in the parks. Hermes acknowledged challenges last year without having a seasonal crew to help with maintaining the restrooms. They will now be locking problematic bathrooms at night. Some bathrooms are not winterized and can freeze in cold weather so they will not be reopened until later in the season. Parks is working to winterize 10 bathrooms a year to increase the number of restrooms available during the winter months.

Concerned citizens raised safety issues related to irrigation sink holes, treacherous walking along the cable car bridge, and fallen leaves overwhelming trails. Hermes said he wants to know about these issues so he can address them. He recommended reporting issues with the Find It/Fix It app but to reach out to him if there are delays in getting help. If it’s an immediate safety issue, reach out to him directly (sean.hermes@seattle.gov) as well as to the District 3 Crew Chief, DeWright Brooks (dewright.brooks@seattle.gov). If loitering, drug use, theft, or criminal activities need to be reported, use the non-emergency Seattle Police number, 206.625.5011. If there is an encampment in a park that needs to be reported, go to the Seattle Customer Service Request Portal and search Unauthorized Encampment and then complete and submit the form. You can also submit a request through the Find It/Fix It app.