Good news from the Sept. 30 open house at A.B. Ernst Park: the expansion is finally heading toward construction, with groundbreaking expected in early spring 2026.
Seattle Parks and Recreation representatives confirmed that construction documents are complete and permitting is nearly wrapped up. The city plans to bid the project in early 2026 to get the best pricing, and if all goes smoothly, construction could start by spring.
What took so long?
As neighbors who attended the August Fremont Neighborhood Council meeting heard, this project has had quite a journey. The community helped create a design back in 2018, but the pandemic stopped everything. Permits expired, costs went up, and the budget got tighter, so the whole thing needed a redesign.
The biggest change? The ADA ramp from the alley is out (it would’ve had to climb 25 feet). Instead, the ramp from 35th Street through the main park will be upgraded to meet ADA standards and connect all the way to the library’s basement meeting room.
What’s actually happening
The steep slope in the new section will be regraded and planted with native meadow and trees, plus a slide that uses the natural topography. There will be concrete walls where the community can add artwork, and a spot for possibly relocating the Helen Tapp Memorial Bench.
It’s been a long wait, but the 0.10-acre expansion is finally on its way. Spring 2026 can’t come soon enough.
For more details, check out the project webpage or the presentation slides from the August meeting.
Stay tuned, we’ll keep you posted as the project moves toward construction.