In 2010, the City Council adopted a master plan for development of Meydenbauer Bay Park. After a first phase of construction, the park opened in 2019 with a large beach, distinctive curved pier and a beach house with restrooms and showers. Information about the marina is available at Bellevue Marina.
Now, with the community's help, we're planning the second phase of development for the park, with a focus on improving pedestrian access to the park, which is an anchor at the west end of the Grand Connection. Phase 2 will also include creating memorable shoreline experiences and increasing understanding about the area's rich boating and whaling history.
Outreach
We will build off the park master plan to understand how we can implement the goals laid out in that document almost 15 years ago, while also ensuring we address today's needs and priorities. Considerable outreach will take place through early 2024.
Project staff hosted pop-ups downtown in November and December to speak directly with community members. An interactive EngagingBellevue page contains supplementary information about the park and the master plan.
The Parks & Community Services Department is leading this planning effort; the Berger Partnership is lead consultant.
Phase 1 Development
While there was a small Meydenbauer Beach Park, the city for decades had envisioned a new park reconnecting downtown to the waterfront. The city purchased a number of properties in preparation.
The first phase of development replaced the old park, improving eight acres of the park west of 99th Avenue and the Marina. This first phase of development provided public water access and a range of new amenities including:
- beach house with restrooms and showers
- curvilinear pedestrian pier and hand-carry boat launch
- natural ravine
- 99th Avenue parking lot and marina entrance improvements
- walking paths, picnic areas, pedestrian promenade and children's play area
