May 21, 2026

Upgraded Myrtle Edwards, Centennial parks to reopen June 4

Rendering by Walker Macy [enlarge]

Expanded beaches, diverse native plantings and new gathering spaces combine to create an entirely reimagined public space across 16 acres.

The remaking of more than a mile of public shoreline north of Seattle's new waterfront is nearly complete.

On June 4, the remaining elements of the Elliott Bay Connections project are set to open to the public, including significant upgrades to two staple waterfront parks and a signature restroom and concessions building east of Pier 86.

The $45 million public-private project's new three-quarter-mile pedestrian and bicycle greenway along Alaskan Way from Pier 62 to Pier 70 opened in April, connecting Waterfront Park to the Olympic Sculpture Park (along with SDOT's nearby Alaskan Way Safety Project).

Now the fences through the 16-acre stretch of public parkland and beaches between the Olympic Sculpture Park and the Beach at Expedia Group (just before Pier 91 at Smith Cove) are set to come down so the public can enjoy the full undertaking.

That includes expanded beach coves at Seattle Parks and Recreation's Myrtle Edwards Park, the new amenities building at the Port of Seattle's Centennial Park, and thousands of new diverse native plants throughout, creating pollinator pathways and meadows where once there was mostly grass.

The effort also includes 200 new resilient coastal trees (along with most of the existing 700, and improved soil conditions for all), colorful new seating and gathering spaces, and new signage, lighting and other design elements. Indigenous design, plantings and interpretive narratives are included throughout the park.

Sellen is the general contractor for Elliott Bay Connections. Walker Macy is leading the overall design, and MIG collaborated with Walker Macy on civil engineering for the parks and design, and engineering of the new greenway.

EBC is a public-private endeavor from the city of Seattle, Port of Seattle and a group of private donors including philanthropists Melinda French Gates and Mackenzie Scott, the Diller-Von Furstenberg Family Foundation and the Expedia Group. The project is fully funded by private donations, with the Downtown Seattle Association serving as the implementation partner.

CENTENNIAL PARK'S NEW AMENITIES BUILDING

A signature undertaking of the effort is the open semi-circle-shaped 1,600-square-foot restroom and concession building at the north end of the project in Centennial Park.

Photo by Brian Miller [enlarge]

Cafe Hagen will open in the new concessions/restrooms building east of Pier 86 at Centennial Park in early June, shown here nearly complete this spring.

Designed by Formline Architecture + Urbanism of Vancouver, B.C., to honor the traditions and culture of the Coast Salish people, the building is inspired by a traditional longhouse and oriented toward the water.

Local Scandinavian coffee shop Cafe Hagen (of Queen Anne, SLU, and beyond) is slated to open in early June in the building that also includes new restrooms to replace the old ones at the pier.

The building also has a covered picnic area and a gathering space. The roof was designed to double as a natural waterfall feature powered by the rain. Tahoma Peak Solutions designed an ethnobotanic planting area next to the building with landscaping honoring traditional Coast Salish spaces.

REIMAGINING MYRTLE EDWARDS' BEACHES

Two coves at Myrtle Edwards Park have been significantly expanded and restored, including regrading the beaches and enhancing shoreline habitat, and upgrading accessible pathways to bring everyone closer to the water.

Photo from EBC [enlarge]

Regrading and habitat restoration work underway on this Myrtle Edwards Park beach in January.

New nature-focused children's exploration areas are included in the design.

EBC's construction was phased around sensitive fish and wildlife needs, business and cruise schedules, and maintaining pedestrian and bike access through the parks. The project also included repairs, repaving and utility work; demo of the old bathroom building and old trolley tracks along Alaskan Way; and restoration support for existing public artwork.

The EBC project team also includes EnviroIssues, community engagement and outreach; Studio Matthews, signage; Shiels Obletz Johnsen, project management; Dark Light Design; Headwater People Consulting; and Luminosity PR.

Both parks, including the shared use path, will be closed overnight ahead of the reopening, from 7 p.m. on June 3 to 7 a.m. on June 4.