Waterfront park to get new look

OLYMPIA - On the green strip of park land next to the city's Percival Landing boardwalk, there's an attention-grabbing yellow sign that includes the words "Public Notice" and "land development."

But there’s no cause for alarm; the sign foreshadows a $10.4 million replacement of the deteriorating boardwalk and many of the fixtures along the city’s waterfront park.

In July, the city is expected to close much of the popular walking path and playground for one year, then haul away the old boardwalk from State Avenue to Thurston Avenue and replace it with a path over land made of wood and concrete. A new, marine-themed bathhouse will be built, along with two interpretive pavilions. In addition, the shoreline will be restored with native plants.

“It’s just really a project that goes beyond the typical,” said David Hanna, associate director of the parks department.

Kip Summers, an engineer for the city, said 725 linear feet of new boardwalk will be constructed.

The city recently completed 90 percent of the design for the first phase of replacing Percival Landing and beyond, and city officials want the public to see it at an open house Tuesday at City Hall.

City Parks Director Linda Oestreich said the city incorporated suggestions from the public into the design. People liked the feel of the wooden boardwalk, so wood is part of the design, even though it will be built on land instead of over the water, where it would be more difficult to maintain.

People wanted more flowers, Oestreich said, so more blooms were designed, especially at the entrances to the park. People wanted to preserve views, so a bathhouse and a playground were reoriented. The architecture was changed to one that’s more light and airy, with lots of windows and architecture that mimics wooden boats.

The design work that people will see at the open house contains some elements that won’t be part of phase one of the project because there’s not enough money yet. Notable among them is a plan for a new marine-themed playground that could have a wooden ship, a fort and a bird’s nest to play in, with sculptures of an octopus and other marine animals.

“We also think this project will set the stage for how people will see the landing in the future,” Hanna said.

Other plans include a concrete boardwalk on pillars that will sweep across the water, as well as new floats and gangways.

This summer’s construction will replace most of the deteriorating boardwalk, which was built in three phases from 1978 to 1985. However, the portion from State Avenue to the area around The Oyster House on Fourth Avenue won’t be replaced because it’s too expensive right now.

Replacing the boardwalk became one of the city’s top priorities in 2004, after a structural report showed significant deterioration. Since, several portions of the boardwalk have been closed, and power was turned off to boat slips. The city studies the boardwalk’s structure each year now to determine whether it’s safe.

Walkers enjoying the sunshine on the boardwalk Friday said they liked the new design.

Sarah Nopp of Olympia said she liked the openness of the design.

“It’s good,” she said “I’m glad they’re leaving it open. As long as it’s staying with the same basic use, that’s the important thing.”

Matt Batcheldor: 360-704-6869

mbatcheldor@theolympian.com