Lake Washington Boulevard (LWB) is one of Seattle’s greatest parks. Year-round, Seattle residents can enjoy walking, biking, rolling, swimming, and more along the three-mile shoreline between Mt. Baker Beach and Seward Park.
Lake Washington Boulevard Swing Gate Project
Lake Washington Boulevard Bicycle Weekends events are a tremendous community success; however, drivers are still bypassing the barriers and making the street unsafe for families with young kids, disabled people, and other park users.
We are supporting a Seattle Parks and Recreation proposed project to install three gates to prevent cars from entering Lake Washington Boulevard during scheduled events between Mt. Baker Beach parking lot and 43rd Ave S (where there are no driveways that require car access). The proposed swing gates are designed to allow easy access for people walking, rolling, and biking, but keep cars from entering, a recurring problem during open streets events.
Barriers for Open Streets Events
Bicycle Sundays / Bicycle Weekend programming has been ongoing since the 1970's and is highly popular among both local neighbors and visitors from across the city. Throughout the years, the Boulevard has been closed for these events using temporary barricades placed at the three proposed gate locations (and others) with "Road Closed" signs. But these barriers and signs are frequently ignored, resulting in many vehicles driving illegally on the roadway, posing great physical risks to families, disabled people, and other park users. The temporary barricades are also frequently moved out of the way to allow vehicles to pass. Permanent swing gates will be far more effective at closing the roadway to cars than temporary barricades during scheduled closures.
Swing gate barriers will establish a predictably safe experience for people using the street during programmed events, making the street safe and welcoming for beginning and seasoned cyclists, walkers, runners, rollers, and wheelchair users to enjoy the park. Additionally, permanent gates will be a vast aesthetic improvement over temporary signage, which has a look and feel of a construction site and is not welcoming to park users.
We Need Your Help!
- Volunteer with us to spread awareness by tabling on the Boulevard during Bicycle Weekends this summer!
- Join our Lake Washington Boulevard committee.
- Spread the word - talk to your neighbors and friends! Organize bike rides, strolls, picnics, or other events during Bicycle Weekends this summer.
For Further Reference
Lake Washington Boulevard Bicycle Weekend Barricade: Problems/Solutions