Freeway Park - Seattle, WA
N 47° 36.558 W 122° 19.864
10T E 550274 N 5273093
A 5.5 acre park above the Interstate-5 freeway, Freeway Park consists of three main plazas connected by footpaths.
Waymark Code: WM4ECZ
Location: Washington, United States
Date Posted: 08/12/2008
Views: 85
A 5.5 acre park above the Interstate-5 freeway, Freeway Park consists of three main plazas connected by footpaths (and crosswalks across a neighboring street that crosses over the freeway). Included in the features are a concrete multi-layered fountain over the "canyon" of the freeway (location of the waypoint), a plaza of native basalt rockery, windows to observe passing traffic, and local vegetation.
A plaque near the fountain reads:
"In honor of James Reed Ellis (1921 - ___) dedicated advocate and organizer of major civic improvements in Seattle and King County including Freeway Park, the Metro agency, and the forward thrust and open space concepts; lawyer, first citizen, an inspiration and exemplar to all. This plaque has been placed here in Freeway Park which the city of Seattle owes to his vision and enterprise.
"Seek ye a monument to him? Look about you."
Another states:
"To commemorate our nation's 200th birthday the citizens of Seattle and King County dedicated and opened this Freeway Park as the opening event of the official Bicentennial Independence Day Observance July 7, 1976; Mayor Wes C. Uhlman"
Please also see The Cultral Landscape Foundation's feature article about the park for detailed information.
The city of Seattle is studying methods of revitalizing Freeway Park.