Issaquah city staff on July 22 described plans to install a pedestrian scramble with high-contrast asphalt art at the Gilman Boulevard intersection where the East Lake Sammamish, Rainier and Juniper trails converge. Parks staff said the project pairs a diagonal-crossing signal pattern with artwork to increase visibility for pedestrians and cyclists, slow vehicle speeds, and strengthen the city’s Creative District placemaking.

Parks and Community Services Director Jeff Watling introduced the briefing and turned the presentation to Robin Spear, the city’s park planning and development manager, and Amy Dukes, cultural arts manager. Spear described the scramble: “Vehicle and pedestrian conflicts are eliminated since all the vehicles are stopped while the pedestrians are crossing.” She said the scramble gives pedestrians shorter, more direct routes and prioritizes pedestrian movement. Spear also cited published safety findings offered during the briefing that asphalt art at treated intersections reduced crashes involving pedestrians and cyclists by 50% and reduced overall crashes at treated intersections by 17%.

The selected design by artist Jake Wagner uses high-contrast colors and literal landscape motifs to mark each trail: Lake Sammamish imagery for the East Lake Sammamish Trail, a Mount Rainier motif for the Rainier Trail, and juniper berries to represent the Juniper Trail. Amy Dukes said the artist “did the, creative district logo and branding and did the, utility box wraps,” which staff said helps visually link the installation with other Creative District work.

Staff reported the installation plan calls for the artist to complete the artwork in August 2025. Public Works is coordinating thermoplastic high-visibility crosswalks on the unpainted legs and the scramble signal timing. Staff characterized the asphalt art as the project’s first phase; additional trail signage funded through the same legislative grant is anticipated for 2026.

The Park Board and the Arts Commission reviewed multiple concepts in April and selected the current, more literal design. Staff said the design was chosen for its legibility and connection to local landscape features. Public Works and the city’s risk pool (WCIA) reviewed the options; staff reported WCIA advised staying with standard crosswalk striping plus color treatment in the scramble area rather than nonstandard devices in the right-of-way.

Council members responded positively. Council Member Ray said he liked the city’s existing utility-box art and looked forward to the scramble. Council Member Martz and others encouraged more such visual placemaking projects around Gilman and elsewhere in the Creative District. Watling noted the project is funded through the council-adopted legislative agenda and is an early phase in a broader program of trail wayfinding and signage.

No vote was required. Staff will proceed with final installation scheduling with the artist and Public Works and will return to the committee as needed with operational or striping details.