Bothell council receives preferred conceptual design for Bothell Landing park; skate park, pump track, inclusive play area proposed

City staff on Jan. 14 presented a preferred conceptual design for the Park at Bothell Landing that would remake the riverfront site with a mix of recreation, event and river‑access features and advanced the project to the next design phase without any formal council action.

The plan centers a skate park and a pump track in the park’s east portion, proposes an inclusive play area and new river‑edge amenities on the west end, and retains the park’s amphitheater and historic structures while offering multiple options for the Lytle/Lighthouse building. Staff gave a preliminary, conceptual cost estimate of roughly $29 million for the full build and proposed a multi‑phase build program beginning as early as spring 2027 if permitting and funding align.

Why it matters: The Park at Bothell Landing is a council priority in the city’s 2040 vision. The preferred concept responds to months of community engagement and dozens of public commenters who urged council to restore and expand skate facilities in downtown Bothell. Staff said the design will guide subsequent engineering, permitting and fundraising.

The preferred concept is organized into three zones. The east zone would convert a large gravel parking area into the active recreation zone, including a destination-size skate park, a pump track, a large lawn (staff included an allowance for synthetic turf), picnic shelters and an entry plaza tied to the state‑route pedestrian bridge. The central zone would add a…