Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) has just unveiled a new attraction for kids at Urban Triangle Park, located at 2100 Westlake Ave. in the bustling South Lake Union area. The park, which initially opened in 2019, is now home to an imaginative play structure designed to encourage climbing and exploration among young adventurers. While the structure has already been made accessible to the public, an official ribbon-cutting event is expected to roll out next month, rally the community to celebrate this latest addition.
The innovative design of the play equipment takes a unique inspiration from the local history, particularly paying homage to the "spite mounds" – elevated plots that were once a form of protest during the controversial Denny Hill Regrade in the early 20th century. The playground has been carefully crafted by Site Workshop to not only provide entertainment but also to subtly educate users on an aspect of the neighborhood's past. To truly complement the new feature, Urban Triangle Park also boasts a cafe conveniently integrated into its design, offering direct park access, making it the first of SPR's properties to offer such an amenity.
Those seeking a little more than playground thrills can find themselves intrigued by the "Escape Destinations" artwork situated in the southwest corner of the park. This public art installation, envisioned by artist Janet Zweig, was brought to life with funds allocated by SPR's 1% for Art program. Zweig's work includes two signs equipped with a bus-blind mechanism that scrolls through a series of lighted names representing fictional destinations drawn from various media including literature, games, and films spanning from the eighth century BC right up to 2019. Each day, the artwork undergoes a transformation to showcase a new set of names – some instantly recognizable, while others to potentially spur on a quest for discovery.
The addition of this dynamic play structure and the accompanying artistic feature are a testament to SPR's ongoing commitment to enrich the local community spaces with both recreational and cultural experiences. Likewise, the park's facilities, complete with open lawns, ample seating, improved lighting, ADA access, vendor areas, and thoughtful landscaping, are designed to appeal broadly to families and individuals alike. For many residents of South Lake Union, Urban Triangle Park is rapidly becoming a focal point of neighborhood activity, one where history and imagination intersect to offer something for everyone. More details can be found on the Seattle government website.
