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 river‑facing plaza with a water feature and pavilion, a new restroom and bicycle facilities, expanded lawn space for events, and an upgraded stage at the water’s edge. The west zone would host a new boathouse for kayak and stand‑up paddleboard rentals, expanded picnic areas, the inclusive playground and a parking area designed for drop‑off and short term loading.

Venita Sidhu, principal at SITE Workshop (the project consultant), summarized the engagement findings and the concept priorities: “Water features and the central plaza were very popular,” Sidhu said, and community members repeatedly asked for improved physical and visual access to the river and an inclusive play area for all ages and abilities. Sidhu also noted community concern about debris and maintenance near skate features and said the detailed design phase will address those operational issues and incorporate a skate‑park specialist.

Several dozen residents testified in the public comment period in favor of restoring a larger, destination skate park at Bothell Landing. Pam Miller, who described herself as a member of the local skate‑park committee, said she has advocated for a rebuilt park since the previous facility was removed and urged council to support a quality design that serves youth and families. Bill Hogan, a retired intercollegiate athletic director, said private philanthropic support is already coming forward to help the project’s fundraising.

City staff emphasized the concept is not a construction plan. Aaron Milner, parks planning and development manager, said the preferred plan will move into the design and permitting phase and noted the cost estimate includes an early contingency and escalation allowances because the design is still conceptual. Sidhu and staff presented three approaches for the Lytle/Lighthouse building: (1) restore the building in place; (2) lift the building to restore earlier historic form and add new below‑grade program; or (3) replace the structure with a new community facility. Sidhu said the Landmarks Board favored restoring historic elements but recognized the trade‑offs and costs.

Council members asked about phasing, maintenance and safety. Staff provided a four‑phase illustrative phasing diagram that would start with the central plaza, skate park and associated parking and later address the eastern restoration area after additional soil and remediation work is complete. Staff said the park is in multiple permitting jurisdictions (including shoreline and stormwater review), and the permitting schedule drove the draft 2027 earliest construction start date. The plan also includes allowances for event‑grade utilities, lighting, and sanitation; staff will evaluate lighting carefully to limit impacts on the river and migrating fish while meeting public safety needs.

Several council members and members of the public pushed staff to consider enlarging the skate‑park footprint to reach a regional standard (commenters cited destination parks of roughly 15,000–20,000 square feet) and to prioritize a covered or partially covered skate surface so the park can be used in wet weather. Staff said the conceptual footprint shown in the plan was approximately 15,000 square feet in the skatable area and could be adjusted eastward in design, but noted a larger roofed structure would increase the project cost materially.

Staff also recorded repeated requests for clearer connections between downtown and the park, including better wayfinding to the park‑and‑ride and the pedestrian bridge that crosses the state route. Staff said they will continue coordination with the city’s transportation planners and WSDOT on crossing and ramp improvements, and they cautioned that an elevated or tunneled direct pedestrian crossing across the state route would be expensive and requires a larger multi‑agency effort.

What’s next: Staff will move the preferred concept into design development, revisit community and Park Board input, produce detailed cost estimates and return to council with refined phasing, funding options and recommended next steps. Staff also indicated a formal city policy on donations and a forthcoming parks plan update (PROS plan) will inform any fundraising strategy.

Ending: Council members voiced broad support to advance design, subject to more detailed cost, permitting and tribal/landmarks outreach. Staff said they would return with a design development schedule and samples of funding and phasing scenarios.