Seattle celebrates park project ‘on par’ with Space Needle. 5 things to know
Seattle is celebrating a “bold, decades-long transformation of” its downtown shoreline — and the community is encouraged to turn out, officials said.
A grand opening celebration for the 20-acre Waterfront Park is Saturday, Sept. 6.
Here are five things to know about the project, including details of the grand opening:
1. Seattle Waterfront Park project took years
Transforming the downtown waterfront started “with the decision to remove the aging Alaskan Way Viaduct, paving the way for a revitalized and people-centered space,” the city said on its website.
The park project involved years of public input, planning and construction, and included rebuilding piers 58 and 62, putting in “an elevated connection from Pike Place Market to the waterfront,” and other work, the city said.
The budget totaled $806 million, city officials said.
2. ‘Once-in-a-generation’ achievement
The rebuilt Pier 58 — the last major piece of the park project — opened in July.
In a statement at the time, Mayor Bruce Harrell described the project as “a once-in-a-generation civic achievement” that was “on par with the Space Needle,” referring to the towering Seattle landmark built for the 1962 World’s Fair.
Harrell said the park “is more than a destination — it’s a reflection of who we are, what we value, and a reminder of what is possible when we work together,” per the statement.
3. Prime downtown location
The 20-acre park downtown stretches “from Pioneer Square and the stadiums” — including Lumen Field and T-Mobile Park, homes of pro teams such as the Seahawks, Sounders, Reign and Mariners — “to Pier 62,” the city said.
4. Public art and play area included
The “vibrant” park has “lush gardens, open spaces, and elevated views of Elliott Bay,” plus public art and other amenities, according to the city.
Pier 58, for example, includes a play area with a marine life theme and a 25-foot climbing tower that’s inspired by jellyfish, city officials said.
5. Grand opening celebration
A grand opening to celebrate Waterfront Park is 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sept. 6.
The free event is family friendly and will feature a variety of performances, interactive activities, art installations and more.
Food trucks will be on hand.
Information about downtown parking is available online, plus other options for getting to the waterfront. A free waterfront shuttle runs through mid-September.
This story was originally published September 5, 2025 at 2:20 PM with the headline "Seattle celebrates park project ‘on par’ with Space Needle. 5 things to know."
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