South Park Plaza will open soon and all are invited to the ribbon cutting celebration on Saturday, April 26 from noon to 2 p.m. The plaza is located at 8456 Dallas Ave. S, just west of the South Park Bridge. The free community celebration is an opportunity for the community to meet their neighbors, enjoy some music and food, and explore the new park. SPR is hosting the opening celebration in collaboration with Office of Sustainability’s Duwamish Valley Program, Duwamish River Community Coalition, Cultivate South Park and SPR Rec ‘n the Streets.

“The opening of the state-of-the-art South Park Plaza is exciting news for this vibrant neighborhood, giving neighbors a new multi-generational space to gather, play, and forge stronger connections,” said Mayor Bruce Harrell. “I’m pleased that the park incorporates the Lushootseed language and Indigenous plantings, uplifting the historical significance of this neighborhood to our city’s Indigenous communities. I’m grateful for the advocacy and collaboration with the community over the years to complete this park and look forward to the cultural celebrations and neighborhood gatherings that it will host for years to come.”

The river gateway park design offers a play area, large plaza, seat walls, lighting, and landscaping. Many cultural elements have been embedded throughout with Lushootseed language etching of “river” walk, tiled surfaces, large colored letters spelling out South Park, Indigenous plantings, story rock and different cultural paving patterns.

“This new park clearly demonstrates Seattle Parks and Recreation values with an emphasis on Vibrant Community,” said AP Diaz, Seattle Parks and Recreation Superintendent.  “We worked with the community to include multi-cultural elements throughout the park including a large “South Park” sign made up of colorful 6ft metal letters, multi-colored tile installations, and Indigenous plantings which all demonstrate the strong diverse community in the neighborhood.  It is going to be a great park and I’m looking forward to the opening celebration.”

In 2014, as part of a community-initiated acquisition, SPR purchased the .83-acre the site with funding from the King County Conservation Futures and the 2008 Parks and Green Spaces Levy to provide the community more open space. The park development was made possible by the voter-approved Seattle Park District and King County Health Communities & Parks Grant. SPR is working to purchase a parcel to the north of the plaza on the river from King County and expand the park.

For more information about the project please visit http://www.seattle.gov/parks/about-us/current-projects/south-park-plaza-landbanked-site-park-development. For additional questions please contact Jay Rood at Ja******@*****le.gov.