Victor Steinbrueck Park

March 2025

Construction at Victor Steinbrueck Park is complete, but the Certificate of Approval from Pike Place Market Historical Commission requires the totem poles to be reinstalled before the park reopens. We have been working with the Historical Commission to reopen the park before the poles are reinstalled and the park will now open on March 14, 2025. The condition of the poles requires significant repair and restoration will begin this spring, and is estimated to continue through spring/summer 2025. We anticipate the poles will be repaired and reinstalled in late 2025.

This improvement and maintenance project provides public safety improvements that include better sight lines in the park, the renovation of the seating area, the renovation of the former children’s play area, the improvement and expansion of lighting, and the upgrading of landscaping. The project will provide circulation updates, creating a connection to MarketFront (honoring Victor Steinbrueck’s vision that the park be an extension of the Market), and an improved connection to the Tree of Life area.

The waterproofing membrane on the westerly portion of the park between the parking garage below and the park is failing. In addition to the park improvements, the replacement of the waterproofing membrane is the primary goal for this project.

During the public and stakeholder outreach process, Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) and the design team heard from the community the importance of honoring the significance of the park to Seattle’s Native American communities, specifically the Urban Native community. Coast Salish welcome text at the entrance walls, special concrete path paving with a Coast Salish basket-weave pattern, a Coast Salish map, and Coast Salish column wraps at the Pavilion are elements that have been included in the park improvements. These design elements support the original design intent of the park as a place that welcomes all people, recognizes Seattle’s Native American communities, and reflects the local Coast Salish culture. 

We received the Certificate of Approval from the Pike Place Market Historic Commission for the proposed improvements in September 2019. See the park improvements design, site features, and furnishings.