Do you frequent Green Lake Park’s Inner Loop? Every year, thousands of people use the loop, and we’d love to hear about your experience and your suggestions on how to improve it.
For the public to voice their opinions on the rules for using this shared use trail, Seattle Parks & Recreation (SPR) has arranged six hearing events.
The Inner Loop’s usage has changed significantly since it was first constructed in 1969. In the past, this road has been shared by non-motorized wheels of all types and walkers, with distinct lanes for each.
Under the Superintendent’s Emergency Rulemaking Authority in 2020, SPR banned wheels (apart from those for strollers and ADA access) to give users more room to spread out in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. Building on the recently finished Green Lake and Wallingford Multimodal Paving Project, the Seattle Department of Transportation started researching the viability of a complete outer Green Lake bike and walking circle at the same time.
The Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners held a public hearing in October 2021 and made a recommendation to continue restricting wheels (aside from ADA devices and strollers) on the inner loop and to provide an update in nine months because this project had the potential to lessen crowding on the inner loop. When this update was submitted in July, the Board requested further details, alternatives, and even a staff recommendation.
SPR is now looking for feedback to help inform alternatives. Should wheels be permitted to resurface the path? Work the present directional marks and signs? How can we make sure that park visitors have fun and are safe while using the inner loop? What relationship do you see between the inner and outer loops?
On September 7, 8, and 9, between noon and 6:00 p.m., we’re holding six online listening sessions that you’re welcome to join. Bikes, tiny wheels, and pedestrians are the three user groups that each will concentrate on. On September 22, SPR intends to make a presentation to the Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners. Visit www.seattle.gov/parks/inner-loop for further details, including meeting links.