Smith Cove Park Development

Spring 2023

Current stormwater codes have changed since the original design of the park (since it was put on hold due to COVID budget impacts). Construction timing is dependent on what changes will need to be made to the design to meet current stormwater codes.

We are currently negotiating a contract with the design consultant to make the needed adjustments and resubmit to Seattle Department of Inspection and Construction (SDCI) for the building permit. If we can get the building permit this year we will proceed to bidding and construction.    
Estimated Timing:

• 2023 - currently in early stages of getting design consultant back on board. Work this year includes adjusting plans to meet updated stormwater code and submit plans to SDCI for permitting.
• 2024 - complete design and advertise project for construction. Bidding and Construction start will be dependent on timing of receiving permit and acceptable bids.    
• 2025 - Phase 1 Construction complete and grow-in period for grass field.  

Spring 2020

Seattle Parks and Recreation is working to finalize the construction documents and permits for Phase 1 (playfield, picnic perch, and off-leash area) of this project.

View the Smith Cove Park Phase 1 Plan

View the full design for Smith Cove Park

Summer 2018

Thank you to everyone who attended the meeting in December 2017. You can view the 12/5/2017 Presentation and other documents for the meeting below.

Seattle Parks and Recreation is beginning the next phase of the design process for Smith Cove Park. A component of moving the design forward from our public meeting held in February 2017 has been to refine the project budget. To that end, we are proposing to phase the project to maximize investment opportunities. At the meeting, the SPR strategic advisor and the design team, Gustafson Guthrie Nichol, outlined the budget constraints and the proposal to move this project forward by phasing the development. We provided information about the proposed design and the $6.5 million project budget, which includes two grants of $250,000 each from King County and from the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office. The phased approach will develop the west parcel/playfield side of the property first with the existing project budget; Seattle Parks and Recreation is working to secure additional funding to build out the east parcel/shoreline side of the park. The west side will include the dog park and volleyball courts plus field renovation and lawn areas and trails for passive recreation. A new stair down to the water on the east side of the park is also included in this first phase of work.

Pipe Replacement Project
On August 21, 2017 King County's contractor began staging equipment for prep work to replace the 3,200-foot pipe connecting the existing sewer system to a storage tank in Smith Cove Park. The pipe was installed in 2014-15 to keep more of Magnolia's sewage and stormwater out of Puget Sound. It was confirmed to be broken in November 2016. Earlier this year, the pipe break was located about 150 feet below West Galer Street near Thorndyke Avenue West.

For additional information on the pipe replacement project please go to King County's Magnolia Wet Weather Storage Facility at Smith Cove webpage.

Thank you to the over 90 people who attended the second public meeting for the Seattle Park District funded Smith Cove Park project on February 8.  The project planner and designers reviewed design options and we heard input from people representing specific groups (dog-off-leash area, sand volleyball, Little League/youth sports, and habitat groups) and from long-time Magnolia residents. This project develops the 4.9 acre easterly waterfront property recently acquired and makes improvements to the playfield half of Smith Cove Park (west of 23rd Avenue West) used for youth sports. The project could include a restroom, improved beach access, playfield improvements to drainage and irrigation, walking and biking trails, sand volleyball courts, dog-off-leash-area and other passive and active opportunities for all.

Download the presentation from the February 8 meeting.

Thank you for your continued involvement.  

In 2015, the Friends of Smith Cove Park (FoSCP) received a grant from the City of Seattle Department of Neighborhoods to undertake the initial public outreach and conceptual design for the expansion of Smith Cove Park. In early 2016 Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) hired GGN  as the design consultant. They will use the outreach and concept completed by the FoSCP as the starting point for the design of the park.  Amenities may include paths, landscaping, waterfront access points, a play area, and related improvements. Some improvements will also be made to the existing part of Smith Cove Park (west of this site), currently used for sports such as soccer. The improved park will provide waterfront access and ADA accessibility; provide enhanced opportunities for active recreation, increase environmental-sensitivity, and make the park inviting and usable for more people.