Community, students helping shape future of King County’s Skyway Park

The future of King County’s Skyway Park is in good hands – a lot of good hands.

The West Hill community that surrounds this 23-acre park in unincorporated King County near Renton is fully engaged in an ambitious redevelopment effort that includes improving accessibility, increasing recreational opportunities, and addressing safety concerns in the park.

Even though the park is centrally located within the community, it is an under-utilized asset, mainly due to accessibility and safety concerns.

Earlier this week, ground was broken on one of many new public amenities that are planned for Skyway Park – a plaza and picnic area that will be covered with a “green” roof that will absorb rainfall to reduce runoff.

It’s the latest step in an ongoing effort to fulfill the community’s vision of the park, which offers many recreational opportunities including ballfields, a playground, sports courts, and restored wetlands.

King County Parks, the University of Washington’s Restoration Ecology Network and the University of Washington’s landscape architecture design-build class, the Pomegranate Center and the Skyway Boys and Girls Club are among the groups that are working in concert with the community’s Friends of Skyway Park and contributing to the rebirth of Skyway Park.

“Bringing Skyway Park back to life is an excellent example of King County Parks’ approach to partnering with communities in King County to provide recreational services and amenities that improve the quality of life,” said King County Parks Director Kevin Brown. “The partnership that has been formed through this redevelopment effort is proof-positive that collaboration is the key to success.”

The partnership’s guiding principles to rehabilitating Skyway Park include:

• Restoring native habitat and improving sightlines and public safety in the park’s central wetland;
• Creating a gathering place featuring green building elements and public art;
• Connecting Boys & Girls Club youth to science training and career development opportunities; and
•  Fostering a sense of ownership of the park with “gateways,” which are uniquely designed signature entrances to the park

About King County Parks
King County Parks - Your Big Backyard - offers more than 25,000 acres of parks and natural lands, including such regional treasures as Marymoor Park and Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park, 175 miles of regional trails, plus pools and a world-class aquatic center. By cultivating strong relationships with non-profit, corporate and community partners, King County Parks enhances park amenities while reducing costs. Learn more at http://www.kingcounty.gov/parks/.

Related information

Skyway Park

King County Parks