The Discovery Park Environmental Learning & Visitor Center Accessibility and ADA Improvement project is being worked on by Seattle Parks and Recreation, and a construction contract will soon be awarded (ELC).
The ELC will be shut down beginning on Monday, October 3, 2022, and for the length of the construction. In June 2023, construction is expected to be finished.
On the Seattle Barrier Removal Schedule, this project removes around 160 accessibility obstacles that have been reported.
The project consists of:
- accessible parking spaces and a zone for loading and unloading buses
- Accessible routes from the parking lot to the tourist center, the amphitheater, the tennis courts, the playground, the admission kiosk, and the trail network
- A fresh pond with infiltrating bioretention
interior modifications here and there to eliminate ADA obstacles from restrooms, kitchens, classrooms, etc.
The ELC east parking lot will also be closed during renovation to serve as a staging area and construction access. The visitor’s usage of the bottom, little parking space will continue. Visitors are recommended to utilize the sidewalk on Discovery Park Blvd. to reach the trails if they are parked in this area since many trail connections in the area will be closed off owing to the size of the construction zone. We highly suggest all guests to park in the north or south entrance parking lots, where bathrooms are also present, due to the restricted parking spaces around the Visitor Center.
The play area, basketball court, and tennis courts will all be accessible during development. During paving repair and drainage construction, the paved junction next to the play area will be temporarily blocked. The play area will only be accessible through a diversion route, and a comprehensive timetable will be given.
In order to minimize disruptions to the park and trail, Seattle Parks & Recreation will collaborate with the contractor. We appreciate your understanding as we strive to make this facility more accessible.
Visit https://www.seattle.gov/parks/about-us/projects/discovery-park-environmental-learning-center-ada-improvements for more information on the project and to explore detour routes, or contact Janice Liang at 206-507-3058 or Janice.Liang@seattle.gov with any questions.