Waterfront Park (Seattle) facts for kids
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Waterfront Park is a fun public park located right on the Central Waterfront in Downtown, Seattle, Washington, USA. It was designed by the Bumgardner Partnership and other experts. The park was built where an old pier, once called Schwabacher Wharf (also known as Pier 58), used to be.
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A Look Back: History of the Park's Location
This area of Seattle's waterfront has a very interesting past! Long ago, when it was known as Schwabacher Wharf, two big events happened here.
Seattle's First Trade with Japan
On August 31, 1896, a large ship called the Miike Maru docked at this pier. This was a really important moment because it marked the beginning of Seattle's trade with Japan! It helped Seattle become a major port city.
The Famous Klondike Gold Rush
Less than a year later, on July 17, 1897, another ship arrived. The steamship Portland sailed in from Alaska carrying something amazing: a "ton of gold" from the Klondike region! This event kicked off the famous Yukon Gold Rush. Many people rushed to Alaska hoping to find gold. Seattle became known as the "Gateway to Alaska" because so many people traveled through the city to get there. This brought a lot of wealth and growth to Seattle.
Waterfront Changes Over Time
During World War II, the military used this part of Seattle's waterfront. By the 1960s, the Central Waterfront started to change. Big shipping operations moved to a new container port south of Downtown. This allowed the waterfront to become more focused on fun and recreation for everyone.
How the Park Was Created
In 1968, people in King County voted to approve a special fund to buy the land for the park. The United States government also provided money, and other programs and donations helped make Waterfront Park possible.
Exploring Waterfront Park Today
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Waterfront Park stretches between Pier 57 (which is privately owned) and Pier 59. Pier 59 is a special city landmark and is home to the amazing Seattle Aquarium.
Fun Features of the Park
You can enter the Seattle Aquarium from a special viewing platform right inside Waterfront Park! These platforms are easy to reach, with both stairs and a ramp for wheelchairs. The park also has coin-operated telescopes, comfy benches, and picnic tables where you can enjoy a snack. You'll also see some trees growing in planters.
Near the picnic tables, you'll find the Waterfront Fountain. This unique sculpture is made of bronze cubes. It was started by an artist named James FitzGerald. After he passed away, his wife, Margaret Tompkins, worked with another artist, Terry Copple, to finish it.
Recent Changes to Pier 58
In August 2020, the city government had to close Waterfront Park. An inspection found a large gap between Pier 58 and the land, which was unsafe. Pier 58 was already planned to be replaced in 2022.
On August 14, 2020, the mayor approved an emergency plan to take down the pier. While workers were removing parts of Pier 58 on September 13, 2020, the middle section of the pier (including the bronze fountain) suddenly collapsed into Elliott Bay. Two construction workers fell into the water but were quickly rescued. They had only minor injuries and were treated at Harborview Medical Center.
Because of the collapse, the nearby Pier 57, which has the Great Wheel and Miner's Landing, was also closed on September 18. This was done to make sure everyone was safe, as there was a risk that the southern part of Pier 58 could collapse further and affect Pier 57.
