West Seattle, Washington
30 Thursday
If you’re one of the almost-250 Night Out block/building-party hosts signed up with SPD, swag bags are ready for you to pick up at the precinct Monday, the day before Night Out. The update and photos are from the precinct’s Crime Prevention Coordinator Jennifer Satterwhite:
Today, with the help of the SW Precinct Captain, interns, and Before the Badge recruits – we have prepped 800 swag bags for our community. Pickup day is on Monday, and Night Out is Tuesday!
Jennifer says almost 1,000 Night Out parties are registered citywide – and a fourth of those, 247, will be in the Southwest Precinct area (West Seattle and South Park). Swag pickup time on Monday at the precinct (2300 SW Bebster) is noon-2 pm; party time on Tuesday (when you’ll find many side streets closed to through traffic) is 5-9 pm.
Morning dawned early for the tribal canoe families who arrived at Alki Beach on Wednesday for an overnight stopover along this year’s Canoe Journey. Thanks to everyone who sent photos from the morning departure; the one above, and the two below, are from Greg C:
Next, Dave White spotted canoes passing the Fauntleroy ferry dock:
And Chris Frankovich saw canoes in the distance from The Arroyos, plus a passing tug:
Tonight’s host is the Puyallup Tribe; the final destination of this year’s journey is hosted by the Nisqually nation, which will host the canoe families through Wednesday.
11:54 AM: If you’re in the Lincoln Park vicinity, watch for a humpback whale; Kersti Muul reports a sighting off Point Williams (where Colman Pool is). Not clear yet whether it’s southbound, northbound, or just hanging around.
11:56 AM: Just as we published that, she had an update: “Breaching in the Vashon/Fauntleroy ferry lane now, so must be southbound.”
(Photo by Gary Pro – a visit from ‘three young Cooper’s Hawks’)
Now that this morning’s big outage is resolved, we can bring you our daily list of what’s up around West Seattle in the hours ahead, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar (where you’ll find even more – thanks to everyone who sends events for us to share!):
MOUNTAIN TO SOUND OUTFITTERS SALE: In honor of Seafair, sale through Monday! (3602 SW Alaska; WSB sponsor)
SUMMER FOOD FOR KIDS: Local sites are open – see our story for locations and other information.
SOUTH SEATTLE COLLEGE GARDEN CENTER: 10 am-3 pm, plant sales featuring and supporting students’ work. North end of SSC campus (6000 16th SW).
NO PRESCHOOL STORY TIME: Not happening today at West Seattle (Admiral) Library.
BLUE ANGELS TODAY: According to a Seafair spokesperson, “The Blue Angels will perform two practice runs on Thursday, July 30th from approximately 11:00 AM-1:00 PM and 3:30 PM-4:40 PM.” You’ll likely see/hear some West Seattle flyovers, and particularly during the second session, you’re likely to see area airports’ traffic re-routed, which usually means more commercial jets over West Seattle.
SPRAYPARK SEASON CONTINUES: Daily splashing season continues at the Highland Park Spraypark (1100 SW Cloverdale), 11 am-8 pm.
WADING POOLS: The regular three Thursday pools will be open today – Lincoln Park (noon-7 pm, 8011 Fauntleroy Way SW), Delridge (4501 Delridge Way SW) and Hiawatha (noon-5:30 pm, 2700 California SW).
WEST SEATTLE UKULELE PLAYERS: From newbie to pro, all levels welcome at this weekly 1 pm gathering. Email westseattleukuleleplayerswsup@gmail.com to see where they’re playing today. (Even if you just want to know so you can go listen!)
NOURISHING MINDS: 1 pm service-learning opportunity at Southwest Library (9010 35th SW).
‘THE DISABILITY PARADOX’: Documentary screening at the Center for Active Living (4217 SW Oregon), 1 pm.
STRESS REDUCTION & CALMING TECHNIQUES: 1:30 pm SummerQuest event at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond), learn about ways to have more calmness in your life.
STUFF THE BUS FOR WESTSIDE BABY: Help local babies/toddlers by bringing packages of diapers to “Stuff the Bus” that WestSide Baby will have parked outside Junction QFC (4550 42nd SW), 2-6 pm.
DROP-IN CHESS: The regular High Point Library Thursday event is sheduled today – players under 18 can drop in 4-5:30 pm to play. (3411 SW Raymond)
HPCS FOOD-TRUCK VISIT: First of two Thursday night events at HPCS – this week and every Thursday, 4-8 pm, Highland Park Corner Store (7789 Highland Park Way SW) hosts a food truck. Tonight it’s Pizza Maniac.
WINE TASTING WITH CLARK: Another regular Thursday event at HPCS, 5-7:30 pm – info here.
HELP HARVEST FOOD: Puget Ridge Edible Park (18th/Brandon) needs volunteers to help harvest fresh food that will be donated to food banks – you can take some home too. Just be there 5-7 pm!
WEST SEATTLE TOOL LIBRARY: Open 5-8 pm for your tool-borrowing needs. (4408 Delridge Way SW, northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center)
VISCON CELLARS: This West Seattle winery’s friendly tasting room/wine bar is open Thursdays, 5-9 pm (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor), for wine by the glass or bottle.
POKEMON LEAGUE: 6 pm Thursdays at Fourth Emerald Games (4517 California SW, upstairs) – bring your own console.
WESTIES RUN CLUB, WITH PICKLE PARTY: 6 pm, starting from Good Society (California SW and SW Lander), you’re welcome to join the Westies Run Club‘s Thursday night community run – tonight, bring your favorite pickles too, for a “pickle party” afterward.
DUSTY THURSDAYS AT TIM’S: 6-9 pm, The Dusty 45s preceded by Cami Voss & Fricken Chickasee, outdoors, all ages, no cover, donations accepted for the musicians. (16th SW and SW 98th, White Center)
ADMIRAL MUSIC IN THE PARKS: 6:30 pm showtime for the third and final free concert in this year’s Admiral Music in the Parks series, with Driftwood Drive, at Hamilton Viewpoint Park (1120 California SW). Bring your own chair/mat/etc.; special parking for bikes and strollers, plus other special features including board-game library, crafts, knitting circle.
TRIVIA AT ADMIRAL PUB: 7 pm trivia at Admiral Pub. (2306 California SW)
TRIVIA AT THE VOID: 7:30 pm, with prizes, at The Void (5048 California SW).
AT REVELRY ROOM: Tonight, at Revelry Room (4547 California SW) featuring DJ Baby Van Beezly starting at 8 pm.
KARAOKE AT MAX’S TRIANGLE PUB: 9 pm to closing time. (9454 Delridge Way SW)
Planning an event that should be on our calendar and in our daily preview list? Please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
(SCROLL DOWN/REFRESH FOR UPDATES, INCLUDING REPAIR PROGRESS AND BUSINESS CLOSURES)
5:08 AM: Thanks for the tips. Power has gone out for more than 4,400 homes and businesses, according to the Seattle City Light outage map. Updates to come.
5:13 AM: If you’re hearing sirens, there are police responses for businesses where alarms were set off because of the outage.
5:32 AM: Finally hearing word of the apparent cause – tree trouble in North Admiral, per police radio. Texter elaborates that it’s near 47th SW and SW Holgate, “a couple of tree limbs down in alley … One limb on the ground. Big one on the wires.”
5:56 AM: A texter in The Junction reports power restored. The map should show soon the extent of that. … And a moment later, it’s updated to show 1,980 customers still out; we’ll add the map screenshot shortly. … Here it is (we do this for the record, as outages vanish from SCL’s site once they’re over):
6:19 AM: WSB senior contributor Christopher Boffoli has gone to the scene and talked with City Light. First, here’s the tree:
Christopher says they have to call in a specialized crew to reach the problem, so they’re guessing it might take a few hours to resolve the rest of the outage (11 am-ish, though that’s an estimate, so could be sooner, could be later). Meantime, he’s also been through the heart of the Admiral business district and says it looks like power is on there – signals working too – but further north is where signs of the outage are apparent.
6:58 AM: Now there’s a transformer fire at 47th/Genesee – and we had a flicker all the way down here in Upper Fauntleroy. No idea if this is related. … But the outage has just grown again.
7:11 AM: Above is a screenshot of City Light’s map for the newly expanded outage zone – which appears to be the same as the original outage zone.
8:11 AM: No updates since then but now that we’re getting further into the day, please remember that dark signals = all-way stops. Also, any information on business status would be appreciated. Via text, Carl just reported that in the heart of The Junction, the west side of California is out but the east side is on. … This comment suggests same situation for at least part of The Admiral District.
8:50 AM: The newest photos are from Bill, who reports that the City Light truck shown above is now on scene. He also sent this view of the tree limb on the wire.
Still 4,400+ out.
9:19 AM: Our crew in The Junction reports California/Alaska’s signals are still out but California/Oregon is working (California/Edmunds too). Back in the outage zone, Bill reports the City Light crew “is making good progress” and sent this photo:
Back to The Junction, our crew says most east-side-of-California businesses ARE open, with power, and is checking the west side next.
9:44 AM: The entire west side of California between Alaska and Edmunds is out, including Bakery Nouveau, Top Pot, and Husky Deli, per our crew. Headed north next.
9:56 AM: West side of California between Alaska and Oregon – most are closed BUT while Easy Street’s café is closed, they’re open for shopping, cards and Venmo only. … Traffic-signal updates from Admiral – out at 47th/Admiral.
9:59 AM: Looks like at least some of the power is back – our crew says the California/Alaska signal just came back on. SCL map should update shortly. … Map shows 1,565 homes/businesses still out, Admiral area.
10:21 AM: And now it appears everybody’s back on.
Global Smoke and Vape just got robbed again, less than an hour ago. That’s according to police radio, after officers were sent to the 35th/Roxbury store to check out a report that someone there had pushed the panic button. Officers told dispatch the victim(s) described two robbers, one a Black man, in his 20s, 5’5″, wearing a black ski mask, armed with a gun with an extended magazine, the other described only as being 5’9″, wearing a black ski mask and all-black clothing. They were last seen running southbound on 35th.
Two daytime coyote sightings reported this week:
SUNRISE HEIGHTS: Received tonight from Ivy at 31st/Elmgrove:
wanted to report a coyote sighting this morning ~8:45 am, coyote was seen trotting northbound on 31st, on the sidewalk on the east side of the street, then turned right to head east on Elmgrove. I took the video from my car; it was unfazed by my vehicle as well as the person walking their dog on the west sidewalk of 31st.
This appears to be the same coyote that I saw the morning of July 12th, headed northbound on 31st just north of Elmgrove, trotting directly on the street, sadly with a small black dog in its mouth. It turned on Kenyon and headed east.
PIGEON POINT: From a texter on Monday morning:
Saw a coyote on the 3000 block of 21st.
What’s your best course of action if you see one? Here’s what the experts say.
(Photos by Oliver Hamlin for WSB)
While dozens of canoe families leave Alki Thursday morning to continue this year’s Tribal Canoe Journey, the Duwamish Tribe‘s canoe family will be heading out from Blake Island on the second day of their journey. As previewed here, they left Don Armeni Boat Ramp on Wednesday afternoon.
15 people were aboard the canoe Kikisoblu as they headed out.
After they took off, the canoe family passed a group of paddle boarders who raised their paddles in the air, “paddles up,” as a sign of peace and respect.
Then after passing Duwamish Head, they headed into open water and out of sight.
Thanks for the tip and photo. That police response in the 2800 block of SW Raymond this afternoon led to recovery of a stolen car, taken in an armed carjacking north of Columbia City. According to police-radio archives, the carjacking happened at MLK Way and South Adams around 2 pm; at 3 pm, some sort of tracking showed the car’s location and indicated it wasn’t moving. Police went to the location and found the car, which was empty; they deployed a K-9 to try to track whoever had been inside, but so far as we can tell, no one was found. The recovered car, described only as a “gray SUV,” was impounded. We’ll follow up with police tomorrow.
7:03 PM: Avoid the West Seattle low bridge – SDOT has just announced it’s out of service right now because of “mechanical issues.”
7:26 PM: It was one month ago today, the same time of the evening, that the bridge was out of service for about two hours because of “malfunctions.”
8:36 PM: Not fixed yet, and no updates.
9:04 PM: SDOT says it’s “operational” again. However, the live camera still shows red lights and gates down (could be a maritime opening).
9:22 PM: Now the camera shows green lights. We’ll ask SDOT tomorrow what went wrong this time.
The King County ballot drop box in front of the administrative building at South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) is one of four official drop boxes in West Seattle, the best places to turn in your ballot before 8 pm next Tuesday (August 4). This is the primary election for most of the people on your ballot, with a few exceptions, including the Seattle Public Library levy, which will be settled in Tuesday’s election. Here’s info about who and what else you’ll see on your ballot.
(First four photos by Anne Higuera for WSB)
1:41 PM: If you’re interested in watching the Native canoe families arrive for the Alki stop on the 2026 Tribal Canoe Journey route to Nisqually, they’re landing now.
More than 20 have come ashore.
3:10 PM: Though dozens of canoe families are here, a few are still on the way. Two canoes from the Suquamish Tribe – who hosted last night’s stopover – and one canoe family identifying themselves as from “Alaska’s only Indian reservation – are the newest arrivals. The canoes will remain on the beach overnight – guarded by uniformed security from the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe, which is transporting the visiting canoe families to Auburn.
(Photos from here down are by Torin Record-Sand for WSB)
3:29 PM: The landings have concluded, with the Muckleshoot’s own canoe family paddling in, and the Samish arriving too.
The canoe families will depart tomorrow morning, headed for Puyallup, and then this year’s Canoe Journey destination, Nisqually.
(Backstory in our preview.) If you go see the canoes while they’re here, don’t touch, but do look for details like this:
(WSB photo, 2025 AMP concert crowd at Hamilton Viewpoint Park)
One more chance to enjoy outdoor music in a local park, presented by the Admiral Neighborhood Association! Tomorrow (Thursday, July 30), this year’s Admiral Music in the Parks series closes out with Driftwood Drive bringing classic tunes to Hamilton Viewpoint Park (1120 California SW)! As with this year’s two previous AMP concerts, there’ll be a bike/stroller corral for easy parking, plus a knitting circle, board-game library, and crafts. Show starts at 6:30 pm (and don’t forget to bring a chair, mat, etc.). WSB is a community co-sponsor of the series again this year; we’ll see you there!
(Photo by Bob Burns – players with disc instead of volleyball on Alki)
Here’s our list for the rest of today/tonight, with highlights mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar – which you can preview any time:
SUMMER FOOD FOR KIDS: Local sites are open – see our story for locations and other information.
READING WITH TODDLERS: 10:30 am at Paper Boat Booksellers (4522 California SW; WSB sponsor).
SPRAYPARK’S OPEN: Daily-splashing season at the Highland Park Spraypark (1100 SW Cloverdale), 11 am-8 pm.
SWIMMING POOL’S OPEN: Daily operations also continue at Colman Pool on the shore at Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW), noon-7 pm.
WADING POOLS: Two are scheduled today in West Seattle – Delridge, 12-5:30 pm (4501 Delridge Way SW) and Lincoln Park, 12-7 pm (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW).
BETTER COMMUNICATION = BETTER CARE: 1 pm workshop at Center for Active Living (4217 SW Oregon).
BLUE ANGELS’ ARRIVAL: According to a Seafair spokesperson, the support C-130 “Fat Albert” will arrive at Boeing Field around 1 pm, with the Blue Angels’ main performing jets 1-6 due in around 2:30 pm. (If you think you hear them sooner, it’s likely Blue Angels #7, which was scheduled to arrive Tuesday for advance flights today.)
CANOE JOURNEY ARRIVALS: As we’ve been reporting, dozens of tribal/Indigenous canoe families will be landing on Alki Beach as part of this year’s regional Canoe Journey. Most are expected to land 1-3 pm but the time’s approximate so it could be earlier and/or later.
DUWAMISH TRIBE CANOE SENDOFF: Also as reported here, the Duwamish Tribe‘s canoe family will launch this afternoon as part of the Canoe Journey, expected to leave Don Armeni Boat Ramp (1222 Harbor SW) around 2 pm.
PLAY AMERICAN MAH JONGG: Play indoors this afternoon! 2-4 pm, join players at Missing Piece (4707 California SW).
SUMMER QUEST: Today, 3-5 pm at Delridge Library (5423 Delridge Way SW), learn about keeping a nature journal.
CLIMB AT CAMP LONG: Two special climbing sessions, 5 and 6:30 pm! Our calendar listing has details. (5200 35th SW)
FREE YOGA FOR 12-STEP RECOVERY: Wednesdays this summer, 5-6:30 pm at Inner Alchemy Studio and Sanctuary (3618 SW Alaska), no registration but MUST arrive no later than 4:55 pm.
FIX-IT WORKSHOP: The free (donations appreciated), 5:30-7:30 pm workshop is happening at West Seattle Tool Library (4408 Delridge Way SW, northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center), and the library is open for borrowing.
WEST SEATTLE URBANISM: Talk about Seattle’s growth – current and future – at the weekly 6 pm meetup – location change this week, the future park site on 40th SW north of SW Edmunds.
WEDNESDAY NIGHT RUN: Join the weekly 6:15 pm group run with West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) tonight – all welcome, all paces.
PRACTICE YOUR SPANISH SPEAKING: New local group of Spanish-language learners, dedicated to practicing it, gathers 6:30-8:30 pm at Mission Cantina (2325 California SW) – details in our calendar listing.
LIVE MUSIC AT THE LOCOL: 6:30 pm. 21+. Rotating performer lineup. (7902 35th SW)
MAD CRAFTY: Bring your project to Revelry Room (4547 California SW), 7-9 pm.
MUSIC BINGO: Weekly music bingo at at The Good Society (California/Lander), 7 pm.
TRIVIA x 5: Five West Seattle trivia venues – Seaside Grill (2820 Alki SW) has 7 pm trivia on Wednesdays, tonight’s theme is “Glee” … Admiral Pub has trivia at 7 pm (2306 California SW) … Larry’s Tavern (3405 California SW) has Wednesday trivia at 7:30 pm … Quiz Night at 8 pm at Beveridge Place Pub (6413 California SW) … And trivia starts at 8:30 pm at Talarico’s (4718 California SW).
SKYLARK OPEN MIC: West Seattle’s longest-running open mic! 7:30 pm signups for the weekly event at The Skylark. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
SWING IT WEDNESDAY! Swing dancing and live music at 8:15 pm at South Park Hall (1253 S. Cloverdale, South Park).
KARAOKE X 2: In the south end, Megastar Karaoke with KDJ Mythikal at Max’s Triangle Pub (9454 Delridge Way SW), pm … In the north end, sing at Admiral Pub starting at 9, after trivia. (2306 California SW)
Planning an event, class, workshop, etc., that’s open to community participation/observation/visitation? Please send us info so we can add it to West Seattle’s only comprehensive event calendar! westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
The photo, report, and request are from Victoria:
This is what I picked up on a single walk in Lincoln Park (last night).
This is the second time in the last week that I’ve gone for a walk in Lincoln Park and, instead of staying on the main path, walked closer to the shoreline. Both times I ended up collecting this much garbage.
I’m hoping it’s mostly being left by visitors to our beautiful Lincoln Park. If it’s from West Seattle residents… shame on you.
I’d like to encourage everyone to keep an eye out and pick up any litter they see before it makes its way into Puget Sound. Every little bit helps. And the best part: there multiple garbage cans in Lincoln Park. It’s that simple!
Next time you’re out for a walk, bring a glove or bag and pick up a few pieces of litter. If enough of us do it, we can make a big impact. And keep our waters clean!
8:05 AM: Crash reported at 26th/Roxbury.
Earlier:
6:02 AM: Good morning. It’s Wednesday, July 29, 2026.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET
The forecast says we’ll see sunshine today with a high in the low 70s. Sunrise was at 5:43 am today; sunset will be at 8:47 pm.
(Tuesday photo by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)
TRANSIT TODAY
Metro buses – Regular weekday schedule; one stop change for the eastbound C Line in The Junction this week as curb-ramp work continues on the southeast corner of California/Alaska (photo above, Tuesday concrete pour).
West Seattle Water Taxi – Regular summer schedule, with extra Friday/Saturday/Sunday runs including later-night schedule Fridays and Saturdays.
Washington State Ferries – Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth route is on the regular three-boat schedule, with one note from the alert page:
Eagle Harbor Welders will return Wednesday, July 29, from 08:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. to complete their work. During this time we will go back to single lane load/offload at the Fauntleroy Terminal.
This is a followup to unspecified maintenance at midday Tuesday.
BRIDGE TRAFFIC CAMERAS
Here are four bridge views from the SDOT map:
High Bridge – Here’s the main camera, followed by the Fauntleroy-end camera:
Low Bridge – Here’s the westward view. Also note, maritime-opening info is available via X (ex-Twitter):
1st Avenue South Bridge:
See a problem on the bridges/streets/paths/water? Please text or call our hotline (when you can do it safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if they’re not already on scene) – 206-293-6302. Thank you!
(WSB photo, Duwamish canoe family launching for 2024 Canoe Journey)
While dozens of canoe families from around the region are arriving at Alki on Wednesday afternoon, the Duwamish Tribe‘s canoe family will be heading out, though their ultimate destination is the same. You’re invited to the sendoff at 2 pm at Don Armeni Boat Ramp (1222 Harbor Avenue SW). Here’s the tribe’s announcement of what’s ahead:
Tomorrow, July 29, marks the beginning for the Duwamish headed to Canoe Journey 2026, Paddle to Nisqually Medicine Creek Potlatch, which continues an inter-tribal celebration and annual gathering of Northwest Indigenous nations. After preparing and training for months, the Duwamish Tribe Canoe Family is poised to join and celebrate the annual canoe journey, Healing Through Our Waters By Honoring Our Ancestors, from July 29 to August 5.
Canoe Journey is an annual Indigenous cultural event, held in the Pacific Northwest, where Native Nations from Washington, Alaska, British Columbia, and beyond travel by traditional-style canoe along the Salish Sea and surrounding waterways to reach the host Nation, this year the Nisqually, for a week-long gathering. This final landing is one of the most powerful parts of the experience — canoes arriving one by one, crews announcing their Nation, and being formally welcomed ashore.
The annual tribal journey in the Pacific Northwest region was sparked by the Paddle to Seattle in 1989, hosted by the Duwamish and Suquamish Tribes and spearheaded by Quinault Elder Emmett Oliver, as part of Washington State’s Centennial celebration (see image of inaugural event T-shirt on display at the Duwamish Longhouse and Cultural Center). Each year, the Tribe reflects on the first Paddle to Seattle and the strength of those who came before us, grateful to our elders and especially to our Chairwoman Cecile Oliver Hansen for setting the tone for future generations. We are still here and we are blessed to pull together. The Canoe Journey has grown to include over 100 canoes and the participation of Canoe Families from other native canoe cultures, including Native American tribes, First Nations peoples, Alaska Natives, Inuit, Maori, Native Hawaiians, and other indigenous peoples from across the world.
This year, the Duwamish Tribe Canoe Family will depart Alki Beach [Don Armeni Boat Ramp] around 2:00 pm on July 29, paddle to Blake Island and host camp for the night, and then continue to Puyallup on July 30 and, after a stop at Steilacoom, paddle toward Nisqually on July 31 (see map). The Duwamish protocol, where Tribal Canoe Families share their songs and dances, is estimated to happen on August 4 or 5.
Duwamish Tribe Canoe Family has spent months preparing — training crews, practicing song and dance, and planning routes. This year’s journey began in mid-July with canoes making their way from further out toward Nisqually, where each canoe is welcomed at every stop by host communities with food, songs, and protocol that honor safety, respect, and shared responsibility on the water.
Last year’s Canoe Journey was hosted by the Elwha on the Olympic Peninsula, so when the Duwamish canoe family headed out, they were northbound.
(Old south-restroom building, photo courtesy Kay Kirkpatrick)
Also from the city today, an update on the Westcrest Park south restroom project. Seattle Parks is planning two info-sessions – the main one will be Saturday August 8, 10 am to noon at the south parking lot entrance (8th/Barton). City staff also plans to be at the Westcrest P-Patch work party on Wednesday, August 5 at 5 pm “for a quick briefing to share the designs directly with you in the garden.” The project is described as follows:
SPR is replacing the south restroom with a prefabricated facility that meets Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements. The SPR team will present the preferred location and design for the new restroom along with restoration options for the old play area footprint left after the former south play area was relocated in 2013. This is an opportunity to provide feedback on the preferred design before announcing the final design in the coming months.
The project team told HPAC in January, as we reported here, that they were looking at a “Portland Loo” type of restroom for the site. The project website also reiterates the same budget numbers mentioned then – $1.35 million total, $823,517 for the restroom, $527,689 for the play-area site. They expect to start construction next spring.
Tribal canoe arriving at Suquamish yesterday.
By Anne Higuera
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
With nearly perfect conditions forecast on the water, more than 100 tribal canoes are expected to arrive at Alki Beach tomorrow afternoon. It’s the second-to-last stop on the 2026 Tribal Canoe Journey, an annual event that brings together Pacific Northwest tribal canoes to join in a paddle-powered journey to a hosting tribal nation, which this year is the Nisqually Tribe.
Most of the canoes will be coming to West Seattle from the Suquamish Tribe’s Port Madison Indian Reservation along Agate Passage in North Kitsap, a distance of about 13 miles. Some canoes started their journeys from the Washington coast or Northern Vancouver Island more than 2 weeks ago to get to central Puget Sound in time. (see map) If the forecast holds true, canoes will have a 7mph wind at their backs and temperatures in the high ‘60s under sunny skies. The tide will be coming in as they make their way across the sound, with expected arrival on the beach in front of the Alki Bathhouse sometime between 1-3 pm.
Canoes staged today on shore at Suquamish ahead of departure to Alki in the morning.
As we reported in a June preview, the Muckleshoot Tribe is hosting the West Seattle stop on the journey and will welcome canoes to shore and provide overnight camping, food and an opportunity to share culture at their tribal campus in Auburn. They will also provide security for the canoes, many of which will stay on the beach awaiting the next leg of the journey to the Puyallup Tribe of Indians landing in Tacoma on Thursday.
The Muckleshoot are providing event parking and shuttles for participants and the general public at a Port of Seattle parking lot (2949 SW Florida Street) next to Jack Block Park. Expect increased traffic in the area, but the Seattle Police Department tells WSB that they don’t have any officers assigned to the event.
The last time canoes landed at Alki as part of the tribal journey was in 2023, when the Muckleshoot welcomed 126 canoes. There is no departure ceremony per se, but canoes are expected to begin leaving Alki between 6 am-8 am on Thursday morning. The Nisqually Tribe will host the Medicine Creek Potlatch journey celebration, with 6 days of camping and protocol, starting with the ceremonial landing at Sequalitchew Creek in DuPont on Friday.
While dozens of canoe families are arriving at Alki, the Duwamish Tribe‘s canoe family will be leaving Don Armeni Boat Ramp at 2 pm Tuesday, heading to Blake Island to host a camp there; we’ll have a separate preview later tonight.
That map is from an SDOT announcement this afternoon that the department has finalized the design of the much-discussed Highland Park Way hill lane-conversion project and could start construction early next year. To describe the final design, SDOT offers these overview points:
Updated Design Highlights
-The curb will not be shifted along the full downhill section
-Semi-permanent concrete barriers will be used instead of a full curb shift to allow flexibility during emergencies
-Improved bike and pedestrian connections throughout the corridor
-New lane layout that maintains traffic flow, slows vehicle speeds, and reduces congestion near W Marginal Way SWFeatures That Remain from Previous Design
-One downhill lane removed beginning at SW Holden St
-Wider, repaved shared-use path with upgraded lighting
The SDOT map above shows the final design for the northeast end of the project zone, the intersection with West Marginal Way SW, which SDOT says now includes:
-Protected bike lane extends all the way to the intersection
-Downhill lane expands to three lanes (left-turn lane and two through-lanes)
-Center median removed to fit the new lane configuration
-One westbound left turn lane removed on W Marginal Way SW
Other sections of the project are detailed, each with a map, on this webpage – here’s one of them, in an area that had been the subject of much discussion, where a residential street meets the downhill lanes:
SW Othello St Area
-Widened shared-use path
-Downhill protected bike lane with jersey barrier opening and bike pavement markings at intersection
-Single downhill travel lane
-Advanced warning signs for intersection
-No centerline markings to indicate turning movements
SDOT says construction will “begin as soon as February 2027.” The idea of removing a driving lane to install a bicycle lane dates back six years, though at the time it was proposed for the uphill side; it was eventually shelved, but resurfaced in a proposal for federal funding in 2022.
That photo is from one of multiple readers who have messaged us to report a sighting of ICE officers at Alki Beach this afternoon. The sender, who also sent this video, said the officers, in unmarked vehicles, converged on that vendor stand along the sidewalk, then left apparently without detaining anyone.
We’ve been going by the future location of Glassyard Commons – the northeast West Seattle site planned to hold 72 RVs and 20 tiny houses – every few days, looking for signs that construction was finally starting. This afternoon, we saw it, with several pieces of heavy equipment in operation and a portable toilet in place. This is line with what Glassyard Commons operator Low-Income Housing Institute told us for our most-recent update a week ago, saying they expected to start work by month’s end. When we first reported in January on the plan to build the site on government-owned land at 7201 2nd Avenue SW, LIHI and the city had hoped to have the site open before the Seattle World Cup matches that ended three weeks ago; now LIHI says they’re aiming to have Glassyard Commons open in November.
You’ve probably heard about the Chilly Hilly bike ride. One of your West Seattle neighbors is inviting you to join in the second annual Warmy Flatty!
Maggie organized it as a way to raise money to fight gastrointestinal cancer, in honor of her mom Janet Osborn, a teacher at Pathfinder K-8 for almost 20 years:
My mom always told my dad that she’d never ride the Chilly Hilly on Bainbridge with him, but she’d be happy to do a Warmy Flatty!
Last year we had our inaugural Warmy Flatty and we are looking forward to this year’s event! We ended up raising over $10,000 for gastrointestinal cancer research at Fred Hutch. Join us for the Second Annual Warmy Flatty on Alki on August 22nd. We’ll ride, scoot, walk, or run to raise some money for Fred Hutch and their research into gastrointestinal cancers.
It’s a casual event, starting at 9 am on Saturday, August 22 – no preregistration required, just show up (though Maggie hopes you’ll donate via the fundraising page – even if you’re not going! (If you want to join an email list for updates, though, go here.)
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