Kids at Hiawatha Playfield in West Seattle have a new place to climb, swing and slide again. Seattle Parks and Recreation says the new play structures at the park are now open to the public, even as construction crews keep working nearby to finish the rest of the project.
What's Open, and What's Still Fenced Off
According to Westside Seattle, safety fencing has come down from the northeastern portion of the construction zone, clearing the way for visitors to use the new climbing, swinging and sliding structures. Construction continues at the western portion of the project site, which is also the location of the former play area, the outlet reports. Seattle Parks and Recreation has announced that the new play area is nearly complete, per a Parkways update describing the new play area as open while construction continues.
The project itself is a relocation job: crews are moving the play area from the north end of the park to the grass area just south of the wading pool, closer to the community center, according to a project description from the City of Seattle. That description says the move is meant to improve visibility and access at the new site while also restoring the ground where the old play area once stood.
Crews Still Have Work Ahead
Westside Seattle reports that project crews are currently installing new walkways, establishing new lawn areas, removing the old play structures, and restoring the landscape for nature play. Visitors are being asked to stay out of all fenced zones and respect the landscaping barriers while that work continues, the outlet notes.
The city's Parkways update echoes that request directly, saying that to protect visitor safety and allow new grass to establish, people should remain out of all fenced areas and respect the landscaping fencing. Seattle Parks and Recreation expects all remaining project work to be completed in December, per the department.
A Timeline That's Already Shifted Once
That December target is itself a revision. The West Seattle Blog reported earlier that the play area renovation was expected to be complete by spring 2026, before Seattle Parks and Recreation later pushed its anticipated finish to December, according to a West Seattle Blog report. The same report attributed earlier delays to changes in the City of Seattle's stormwater code that required months of additional documentation.
Construction on the renovation began the week of July 20, 2026, with the contract awarded to LW Sundstrom, Inc., according to an earlier Parkways announcement. Shannon Glass is listed as the contact for further questions about the project, Westside Seattle reports.
