Bitter Lake Reservoir and Park Improvement Projects Update

Bitter Lake Reservoir and Park Improvement Projects

What’s next for the projects?

Since our latest public engagement period earlier this year, Seattle Public Utilities (SPU), Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR), the Office of Arts & Culture (ARTS), and the Department of Neighborhoods (DON) have been using the feedback received from the community to continue designing the new reservoir and park space. You can learn more about the feedback we heard from the community in our engagement summary (or view the full report). 

Here’s what we’re currently working on:

• SPU will continue working on the reservoir design and keep engaging with the community, helping educate residents about the reservoir’s role in Seattle’s water system. Capital projects in the design phase progress in phases (30%, 60%, 90%, final design). We expect that the reservoir project will reach the 90% design completion milestone this fall. 
• SPR is continuing to develop a preferred concept for the park. Once the park concept is finalized, the project will be considered “complete” before restarting again in 2026. At that point, design work will continue with possible community engagement to confirm the park’s final design, elements, and amenities. More information about the preferred concept will be posted on SPR’s project webpage later this week. 
• ARTS will continue engaging with the community to identify public art concepts and start the process of commissioning an artist/artists to create public artwork(s). 

Thank you to everyone who shared their thoughts online or in person at one of our events! Your feedback is very important to the project team as we continue designing this new community space.