Bitter Lake Reservoir Park

Spring 2025

Thank you to everyone who shared their time and thoughts about the design of the additional open space around the new reservoir! The project design consultant completed a preferred schematic design and a construction cost estimate at the end of May 2024. Many site elements and features identified during the public engagement process are reflected in the design and will make the fully reconstructed park a great community resource. However, the planned city funding to date will only cover a small fraction of the estimated construction cost. Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) has been reviewing the design and cost estimate and determining how elements of the park may be phased.

The preferred schematic design includes an expanded p-patch, two outdoor plazas, two play areas for kids, an information kiosk, a picnic shelter, an outdoor classroom area, a food forest, a dog off-leash area, an elevated boardwalk, a restroom, and spaces for outdoor games. There are also several land art opportunities in the new design, for which the Office of Arts and Culture (ARTS) is contracted as the arts planner. 

Please view the Preferred Schematic Plan, May 2025

SPR is anticipating hiring a design consultant in late 2026 or early 2027 to review the 2024 preferred schematic design and develop detailed designs to move towards construction drawings and the permitting process. Construction of the open space improvements may begin in early 2029 after the completion of the Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) reservoir project. 

To align the park construction timeline with reservoir construction, the timeline as well as funding for this project is phased out over 7 years. SPU is currently preparing to go out for a construction bid for the reservoir to start construction in 2026. To learn more about SPU’s construction timeline, please visit their project page. The Bitter Lake P-Patch will remain open to gardeners throughout the construction of the new reservoir and park.