Dr. Jose Rizal Park Renovation
Updated: September 18, 2025
Fall 2025
The restroom construction contract is currently being finalized, with the Notice to Proceed expected in Fall 2025. During construction, the upper portion of the park and the parking lot will remain closed to the public for the duration of the restroom renovation.
Beginning in September 2025, the Seattle Conservation Corps will also be doing maintenance to the off-leash dog area by fixing the stairs, resurfacing the trails, and adding new benches and trash cans.
Location
Jose Rizal Park (Dr.), 1007 12th Ave S, 98144
Budget
A total of $2.8 million has been secured by Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) for planning, design and construction of both project phases. In July 2025, SPR was awarded a $1 million King County Parks Levy grant to support playground improvements.
The off-leash area maintenance is funded by a $150,000 Community Development Block grant.
SPR is actively pursuing additional funding opportunities to implement comprehensive site upgrades to the upper portions of the park.
Schedule
Phase 1: Restroom Renovation
Planning, Design, and Permitting: 2022 - 2025
Construction: Fall 2025
Completion: Summer 2026
Phase 2: Park & Playground Renovation
Planning and Community Engagement: Fall 2022 - Spring 2025
Design and Permitting: 2025 - 2027
Construction: 2027 - 2028
Project Description
The Dr. Jose Rizal Park project will renovate the public restroom, replace playground equipment, and improve accessibility. Phase One will focus on the restroom renovation, followed by Phase Two, which will upgrade the play area, further enhance accessibility, and make improvements to the upper portion of the park near 12th Avenue South.
Community Participation
Thank you to everyone who joined us in our community engagement meetings and provided feedback on the project.
Please follow this webpage for updates on construction and completion.
Public Meeting - 11/2/24
- Event Flyer: Traditional Chinese - 中國語文, English, Spanish - Español, Vietnamese - Tiếng Việt; Tagalog
- Event Mailer
- Design Concepts Survey Results
- Design Concepts Video Presentation
Public Meeting - 4/13/24
- Event Flyer: Traditional Chinese - 中國語文, English, Spanish - Español, Vietnamese - Tiếng Việt
- Meeting presentation video
- Survey Results
Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) has determined that the Dr. Jose Rizal Park Renovation Project does not have a probable significant adverse impact on the environment. An environmental impact statement is not required under RCW 43.21C.030(2)(c). This decision was made after a review of a completed environmental checklist and other information on file with SPR. This information is available to the public on request.
The Determination of Non-Significance (DNS) was issued on August 29, 2024, under 197-11-340(2). The lead agency, Seattle Parks and Recreation, will not act on this proposal for 14 days from the date of issuance (August 29, 2024).
Download the DNS document for additional information.
Elevate Initiative 2022
Dr. Jose Rizal Park renovations are the first Seattle Park to use our Elevate Opportunity. Elevate is a Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) initiative to elevate, diversify, and widen the platform of opportunity for everyone. It aims to strengthen the connection between park design and the community it serves by rewarding vision and purpose and providing support throughout the creation of new and vital park designs.
Part 1: Statement of Interest and Shortlist
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Design Opportunity Documents for Part 1: (Amharic; Chinese Traditional; English; Japanese; Korean; Spanish; Tagalog ; Vietnamese)
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Timeline/Deadlines for Part 1 Submissions: Questions – October 28, 2022; Submissions – December 5, 2022; Six participants received stipends and moved on to Part 2.
Part 1 - Questions and Answers: (Amharic; Chinese Traditional; English; Japanese; Korean; Spanish; Tagalog; Vietnamese)
Part 2: Design Brief, Interview, and Selection
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Elevate: Design Opportunity for Part 1 shortlisted participants
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Timeline/Deadline for Part 2 Submission: February 13, 2023.
Part 2: Questions and Answers
The Elevate initiative is complete. View the final announcement here.