King County Parks celebrated the end of construction on major updates to Skyway Park with a community re-opening on October 9. Executive Dow Constantine, Councilmember Girmay Zahilay, and Director Warren Jimenez came out for the gathering, along with Andrew Bloom from the Seattle Kraken, Honorable Richard A. Jones and Mari Horita from One Roof Foundation, Rebecca Berry from Skyway Coalition, and community members. White Center Teen Program coordinated a variety of interactive games, activities, and information tables, while the Mobile Engagement Team and Volunteer Program were on hand to welcome and engage with park visitors.
Major improvements to Skyway Park’s north end include:
- A new playground and mini turf soccer arena.
- A rehabilitated infield of an existing softball field.
- Installation of a paved pathway with solar security lighting.
- Two new ADA parking spaces.
- Improvements to overall ADA access throughout the park.
- Upgraded wooden post and rail fencing replaces chain-link fencing between the parking lot and park.
On the park’s south end, the improvements include:
- Installation of two updated basketball hoops.
- Repairs to existing paved pathway.
- Addition of ADA access from parking lot to park.
- Installation of solar security lighting.
- Removal of existing playground area (new playground to be built in north end) and rehabilitation with grass
- Installation of new 6-foot chain-link fencing along park boundary connecting existing chain-link fencing sections
For a full list of improvements, visit the Parks Capital Improvements webpage for Skyway Park.
These improvements are the culmination of much community input and support. King County Parks met with the community from 2015 to 2021 on proposed park updates, gathering feedback about the project through strategy meetings with the West Hill Community Association and Skyway Solutions, a community park tour, a series of public meetings, and ongoing collaboration with Skyway Coalition. None of this would have been possible without the Skyway community’s contribution over the years.
Community feedback has led to the significant progress that has already been made, and more improvements to Skyway Park are coming soon.
- Four new convertible hoops for basketball and hockey will be installed in November to make the court a multi-sport play zone.
- Four new on-demand lights will also be added to the basketball court to enhance safety and visibility.
- A new swing set at the north end of the park will help meet the needs of younger kids ages 2-5.
- Parks will also add benches and seating to the playground area for parents and park visitors.
- In response to community requests around restrooms, two Portland Loos are currently on order and will be installed by the end of 2023.
- Upgraded fencing for northern ballfield will be installed in 2024.
The majority of planned updates will be completed by January 2023. King County Parks is working with Seattle Kraken to plan a separate event at the beginning of 2023 to debut the hockey goal posts which will feature artwork by a local artist.