Juanita Beach Park renovation work begins; south section closed

Renovation of Juanita Beach Park is underway. Construction activity will be limited to areas of the park south of Juanita Drive (beach side) and prompted the closure of the entire south section of the park for the remainder of 2010, including access to the beach, walking pier,

May 18, 2010 9:42 pm
A worker chops up trees at Juanita Beach Park as a part of the renovation work that began May 3. A total of 55 trees will be removed as part of the project and nearly 900 new evergreen and deciduous trees will be planted.
A worker chops up trees at Juanita Beach Park as a part of the renovation work that began May 3. A total of 55 trees will be removed as part of the project and nearly 900 new evergreen and deciduous trees will be planted.

Renovation of Juanita Beach Park is underway.

Construction activity will be limited to areas of the park south of Juanita Drive (beach side) and prompted the closure of the entire south section of the park for the remainder of 2010, including access to the beach, walking pier, playground and picnic shelters.

Environmental enhancements include the renovation of Juanita Creek, creation of new wetlands and quality marshes, and formation of re-graded lawn areas with improved drainage and irrigation systems. New walking paths, including an accessible beachfront promenade extending the length of the waterfront will be installed. A new parking lot with associated lighting, landscaping and improved low-impact development pollution and stormwater controls will be constructed. Other improvements include a new open-air amphitheater for small community events, new site furnishings including benches and picnic tables, and extensive new native landscaping.

Construction is anticipated to be complete in 10 to 12 months.

The renovation project is the City’s initial implementation of the Juanita Beach Master Plan. The Plan was formally adopted in 2005 following an extensive public participation process. The $2.8 million project is funded in part by the 2002 park bond approved by Kirkland residents. Additional funding is provided from the State of Washington Recreation and Conservation Office ($1 million) and a grant from the King County Flood Control District ($100,000).

Construction will not affect use of the north side of the park. The playfields and tennis courts will remain open for public use. The city’s Friday Night Market at Juanita Beach opened this season at a temporary location on the north side of Juanita Drive.

Within the project area, 115 trees will be retained and protected. Nearly 900 new evergreen and deciduous trees will be planted, many of them in the newly-created habitat marsh area west of Juanita Creek. A total of 55 trees will be removed as part of the project, of which 36 were evaluated by an independent certified arborist and determined to be in poor condition and hazardous for the park setting.