LAST CALL: Bids for Hiawatha Play Area project close Wednesday

(Hiawatha Play Area, as seen when project first surfaced in 2019)

As reported here a month ago, the Hiawatha Play Area moving-and-renovating project has gone out to bid; now that the community center has reopened, the playground project is in the spotlight. Tomorrow (Wednesday, March 4) is the deadline for interested contractors to submit bids. The contract is estimated at $600,000 to $700,000, according to this brief description on the city’s bid site:

Project Description: This project relocates and replaces the play area at Hiawatha Playfield. Additives are Accessible Asphalt Paving, Site Furnishings, and Play Equipment; and Alternate is Synthetic Safety Surfacing and We-Go-Round.

Engineer’s Estimate: $574,916, Additive#1: $16,729, Additive#2: $15,700, Additive#3: $13,077, Alternate#4: $118,617.

Seattle Parks says it expects construction to start in “late summer/early fall.” The play area will move to a site south of the wading pool, as shown when the design was finalized five-plus years ago.

questions March 4, 2026 (5:56 am)

Educate me: a construction project without plumbing, electric, waste water, wood other than wood chips maybe. Why does this cost so much. It seems lots of the project will be prefabricated and installed. What am I missing? A house remodel can cost less than this which does involve the above and concrete pour. The project at Lincoln Park was as high a cost and took years to build.

My two cents March 4, 2026 (9:52 am)

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The link included (city bid site) will lead you to a 803 page document which should provide you with the requirements of the project. This goes beyond the “it’s just moving some stuff” to a formal project plan methodology. Who inspects the work? Does anyone need to? What are the qualifications? That resource needs to be accounted for in the project. It is frustrating that something so relatively simple should be so complicated, but how do you ensure attributes that the community wants and expects (fair bidding process, safety of the end-users, licensed workers, union negotiations potentially). Not making a value assessment on this thought just the environment that we live in.
K March 4, 2026 (10:11 am)

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Why shouldn’t it cost that much? Comparing it to a house is silly. A 100 lb. child doesn’t need to safely swing from a door frame. And a house remodel certainly doesn’t cost that, at least not with a contractor that knows what they’re doing. Maybe 15 years ago. Nowadays, $600,000 is a small addition to expand your kitchen. I’m curious what background or expertise you have in construction or kids’ play structures that lead you to the conclusion it should be cheaper.
- Questions March 4, 2026 (2:09 pm)
  
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  Chill. I have no expertise and that is why I am asking.
- Rob March 4, 2026 (2:23 pm)
  
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  K says “Nowadays, $600,000 is a small addition to expand your kitchen….” Please PLEASE call me for all your home repairs. PLEASE!!!
Ok March 4, 2026 (11:43 am)

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You’re welcome to bid if you can do it for less.

Stan March 4, 2026 (8:53 am)

What is the point of this project? Why? I live nearby and see happy kids playing every day on the current equipment.

Gen March 5, 2026 (7:42 am)

We didn’t live in WS 5 years ago but we do frequent this park with our 3 and 1 year old.HOW is it better to move the play structure closer to the street when Seattle can’t seem to manage to put safety fences around children’s play structures. Does anyone planning these things actually have small children? Budget for a fence and a gate.