Garfield Super Block - Play Area, Promenade & Restroom Renovation
Updated: March 6, 2025
Spring 2025
Exciting Construction Notice from Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT)
SDOT will start right of way (ROW) improvements on E Cherry and 25th Ave, near the Garfield Superblock Site as early as this weekend, Saturday, March 8. Please view the SDOT notice for more info.
This SDOT work was funded by the Neighborhood Street Fund. Learn more here: https://www.seattle.gov/transportation/projects-and-programs/programs/neighborhood-street-fund/garfield-superblock-enhancements-
For the Garfield Superblock Renovation, we have secured our Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections (SDCI) building permit! Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) is completing final review of the construction documents, and anticipates going out to advertise and bid soon!
Did you know, the park will be home to some amazing artwork via a separate capital campaign? Learn more about the new art coming to Garfield Superblock, and how you can donate here: https://www.garfieldsuperblock.org/art-at-gsb
Location
Garfield Playfield Campus, 537 25th Ave 98122
Budget
The project has secured over $9.4 Million. Funding for this project has been a partnership with successful fundraising efforts from the Garfield Super Block Coalition. Funding Sources include:
- $2.83 Million from Seattle Parks and Recreation (REET I, II, and Metropolitan Park District Equity Fund)
- $500,000 from Seattle Public Schools 2022 Levy
- $994,000 - Various King County Grants
- $2.16 Million - RCO Federal Grants
- $2.95 Million - Washington State Department of Commerce
Thank you to all of our funders!
Schedule
Design, Permitting & Bidding: 2023-Early 2025
Construction: Early 2025 (Funding and Permitting Contingent)
Project Description
The community-initiated Garfield Super Block Project will enhance the Central Area’s community gathering place by providing renovations such as a new restroom building, renovated playground, addition of basketball courts to the existing tennis courts, an accessible 0.34-mile walking loop, a new accessible ramp to enter the site at the southeast (SE) corner, along with renovations of other existing accessible routes already onsite. Other improvements include a nature play pocket, a climate adaptive garden, as well as updated plantings and site lighting throughout. Depending on the contractor’s bids for construction, the project could add a covered picnic shelter, parkour park and park furnishings.
During construction, the contractor will need to close the park. SPR and the contractor hired for the project will work to minimize the impact on the neighborhood. We anticipate construction to last from spring 2025 to early 2026. We are committed to maintaining access to the playfields for previously scheduled field users (softball and baseball teams, little leagues, and soccer organizations). This will be included as a requirement for the contractor. During practices and competitions, the spectator portion/seating will be limited or unavailable.
Once the project has a contractor on board, we will develop a phasing plan to better describe construction impacts. The closures are necessary to construct the park safely. Thank you for your patience and cooperation as we make great improvements to the park. 
Community Participation
Thank you to everyone who participated in the community engagement process! Please follow this page for construction and completion updates.
60% Design Open House - 2/1/24
- Meeting Presentation
- Event Flyer
- Event Flyer Translations in Amharic - አማርኛ; Traditional Chinese - 中國語文; Somali - Af-Soomaali; Spanish - Español; Tagalog; Vietnamese - Tiếng Việt
Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) has determined that the project does not have a probable significant adverse impact on the environment. An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is not required under RCW 43.21C.030(2)(c). This decision was made after a review of a completed environmental checklist and other information on file with SPR. This information is available to the public on request.
The Determination of Non-Significance (DNS) was issued on January 8, 2024, under 197-11-340(2). The lead agency, Seattle Parks and Recreation, will not act on this proposal for 14 days from the date of issuance (January 8, 2024).