Rainier Valley Neighborhood Greenway

Updated July 20, 2023

What's Happening Now?

Construction for Phase 2 of the Rainier Valley Neighborhood Greenway, focusing on the North Section, is underway.

Our planning team worked with community members to determine the best north – south route in Rainier Valley. Hundreds of people gave feedback through public meetings, site visits with community members, an online survey, and direct communication. Based on that input, we selected residential streets that have lower car volumes and speeds, aren’t too steep, and connect people to destinations like schools, libraries, local businesses, community centers, and parks.

Map the North Section Route of the Greenway:

Map showing an orange line that is the north end connection of this greenway

Project Overview

The Rainier Valley Neighborhood Greenway is a route over 6 miles long stretching all the way from Mount Baker to Rainier Beach. The route includes small improvements like crosswalks, curb ramps, speed humps, stop signs, and pavement repairs that go a long way to make walking and biking around the neighborhood easier.

Since 2014, we've been gathering community input on the greenway route to select streets that aren't too steep and connect people to neighborhood destinations like light rail, parks, grocery stores, schools, and more.

More about neighborhood greenways

Neighborhood greenways are safer, calmer residential streets for you, your family, and neighbors. We make people walking and biking the priority.

Neighborhood greenways can include:

20 mph speed limit signs
Speed humps to calm traffic
Stop signs for side streets crossing the greenway signs and pavement markings to help people find their way
Easier crossings of busy streets with crosswalks,
Flashing beacons, or traffic signals

Once built, neighborhood greenways can:

Create safe pathways for students to walk to school
Strengthen communities around safer streets
Create neighborhood placemaking
Connect you and your neighbors to popular destinations such as schools, parks, business districts, and the city-wide bicycle network
Provide alternative options of getting around your neighborhood by walking or biking

Visit our neighborhood greenways home page or a language to learn more about neighborhood greenways.

Art along the route

In coordination with the Office of Arts & Culture, we commissioned 7 emerging public artists to create temporary art installations along the Rainier Valley Neighborhood Greenway as part of Art Interruptions 2018. Look for the art between Rainier Beach Playfield and Othello Park. View the specific art locations.

Example of art on the greenway
Example of public art along the neighborhood greenway

Schedule

2018/2019: Curb ramps installed along microsurfaced streets
Late summer 2017 to summer 2018: Neighborhood greenway construction - phase 1
Mid-August 2017: Microsurfacing work
Mid-May to mid-July 2017: Tree pruning along whole neighborhood greenway route
Spring/Summer 2017: Filled potholes and patched streets to prepare for microsurfacing
July 2023: Neighborhood Greenway construction begins, North Section

Materials

Event materials

Construction materials (2017-2018)

Start of Construction Mailer (October 2017)
Construction update Fact Sheet, North Section (October 2017)
Construction update Fact Sheet, Central Section (October 2017)
Construction update Fact Sheet, South Section (October 2017)

Design materials (2015-2017)

Final Route mailer (March 2017)
Final Route North Section (July 2016)
Final Route Center Section (July 2016)
Final Route South Section (July 2016)
Draft Most Promising Route Alignment Change Letter (December 15, 2015)
Draft Most Promising Route Alignment Change Letter (December 7, 2015 )
Draft Most Promising Route Alignment Change Letter (December 3, 2015)
Draft Most Promising Route Alignment Change Letter (November 2015)
Open House #2 Summary Meeting (September 2015)
Hillman Collaboratory Open House #2 Presentation (September 2015)
Hillman Collaboratory Open House #2 Boards (September 2015)
Open House Comment Sheet (September 2015)
North End Meeting Announcement (September 2015)
Mid-Section Meeting Announcement (September 2015)
Note: *The original version of this flier was updated after it was mailed to reflect the latest proposed improvements at Rainier Ave S & S Mead St.
2015 South End Meeting Announcement (September 2015)
Meeting Announcement (July 2015)
Open House Presentation (November 2014)
North End Meeting Announcement (November 2014)
Mid-Section Meeting Announcement (November 2014)
South End Meeting Announcement (November 2014)

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