Jack Block Park facts for kids
Jack Block Park is a fun, 15-acre (6.1 ha) park located in the West Seattle area of Seattle, Washington, USA. It sits on the northwest side of the Port of Seattle's Terminal 5. The park has a public beach, a play area for kids, and a tall 45-foot (14 m) observation tower.
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A Look Back: The Park's History
What Was Here Before?
Before it became a park, this land was home to different businesses. For a long time, from 1909 to 1994, there was a wood treatment plant here. This plant used chemicals like creosote to protect wood. There was also a shipbuilding place and a saw mill nearby.
Over the years, different companies owned the wood treatment plant. Eventually, in 1994, the land was found to have some chemicals left over from the wood treatment process. Because of this, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency stepped in to help clean it up.
How Jack Block Park Was Created
The park was first called Terminal 5 Park and opened in 1998. It was part of a big project by the Port of Seattle to improve the area. In 2001, the park was officially named Jack Block Park. It was named after Jack Block, who was an important leader for the Port of Seattle.
Cleaning Up the Park's Beach
The beach area at Jack Block Park needed a lot of work to be safe for everyone. This cleanup included removing old, contaminated mud and wood. They also covered a large area of the seafloor with a special cap to keep any remaining chemicals safely buried. After all this hard work, the park's beach was finally opened to the public in 2011.
Things to Do at Jack Block Park
Explore the Shoreline Path
Jack Block Park has a great walking path that goes along the shoreline. As you walk, you'll pass by a fun play area for kids. The path also leads to a pier you can walk on, which is a perfect spot to enjoy the views.
Climb the Observation Tower
The walking path ends at the park's tall observation tower. From the top, you get amazing views of Elliott Bay and the downtown Seattle skyline. You can also watch the busy activities at Terminal 5, where big ships are loaded and unloaded, and see the Vigor Shipyards where ships are built and repaired.
At the tower, you'll find signs that explain how the Port of Seattle works and teach you about different types of shipping. It's a great way to learn about how goods travel around the world!
