BELLEVUE, Wash. — The southern half of Bellevue's Downtown Park will close in mid-July for construction of both the last segment of the circular promenade and a play area for children of all abilities.
Bellevue Mayor John Stokes said the projects will complete a 30-year-old vision of the park.
"We look forward to inviting everyone back next summer to enjoy the completed circle and to play in the universally accessible playground,” said Stokes.
Key elements of the project include:
- Completion of the circular canal and tree-lined promenade
- Creation of a "grand entrance" and water feature at the south end of the park
- Terraced seating, stairways and accessible paths
- Closing the current parking lot off Northeast Second Street and expanding the parking lot off 100th Avenue Northeast
- Removal of the city-owned former Ballet Arts building
- Additional landscape plantings
The existing play area will be expanded to include an "Inspiration Playground" through a partnership with the Bellevue Rotary.
"The playground will accommodate the needs of all children -- those who are typically developing, and those with physical, cognitive or sensory disabilities,” said Pat Naselow, co-chair of Inspiration Playground with Bellevue Rotary.
When the city bought most of what is now Downtown Park over 30 years ago, the plan for the park called for a circular promenade and a grand entry on the south side. But two phases of construction were done before the city had the money and land to complete the circle.
In 2008, Bellevue voters passed the Parks and Natural Areas Levy, which included funding for the project and for replacement of the parking lot off Northeast Second Street with an expanded lot off of 100th Avenue.
Cox Media Group
