City of Kirkland to Begin Renovation of 132nd Square Park
Published on June 03, 2021
Media Contact:
Joy Johnston
Interim Communications Program Manager
jjohnston@kirklandwa.gov
(425) 979-6562
New turf field, all-abilities playground, restrooms, and picnic shelters to be completed in 2022
KIRKLAND, Wash. – The City of Kirkland has awarded a construction contract to Allied Construction Associates, Inc., in the amount of $8.35 million to make surface water and park improvements to 132nd Square Park, located on the southwest corner of 132nd Avenue Northeast and Northeast 132nd Street. Construction is expected to start July 1, 2021 and the park will be closed to the community during the estimated one year of construction. Though originally proposed to redevelop the park in phases, the community advocated to the City Council that all the improvements should be made at one time to minimize disruption.
“We’re extremely happy to be able to meet the community’s enthusiasm to have the 132nd Square Park redevelopment built at one time to be enjoyed for years to come,” said John Lloyd, Parks and Community Services Department Deputy Director.
Enhancements to 132nd Square Park include a lighted, synthetic turf multi-use field with covered dugouts, expanded parking lot, larger restroom facilities, all-abilities playground, concrete walking trail, and a surface water facility that infiltrates 48.25 acres of impervious surface water runoff. The new playground features swings, a zip-line, a play/sledding hill with integrated slide, instruments, and two additional picnic shelters with concrete plaza. The contractor will attempt to salvage the existing playground equipment for use in another Kirkland park. This will be Kirkland’s first park to have a synthetic turf multi-use field, joining two elementary school fields that the City utilizes through a partnership with the Lake Washington School District.
Responding to community interest, the City acquired a lease for general public use of a nearby open space owned by the King County Housing Authority until the park is reopened. The open space, located between 135th Avenue Northeast and 136th Avenue Northeast on Northeast 132nd Street, offers a large grassy area and a half-court basketball hoop.
The surface water component of this project includes installation of a concrete vault underneath part of the new multi-use field that will treat and absorb the surface water of 48.25 acres. This portion of the project is funded in-part through a $3.57 million Washington State Department of Ecology grant and a $1.10 million King County Flood Control District grant.
"By the fall of 2022, the Kirkland community will be able to use a lighted, synthetic turf, multi-use field year-round,” said Kirkland City Councilmember Toby Nixon. “This project builds a valuable asset for the entire Kirkland community, and also responds to what the local residents expressed for their vision of this park during the master planning process. We are thrilled to be able to meet the needs of both groups at this wonderful park.”
Kirkland Parks and Community Services will be engaging the community in 2021 to update the Parks, Recreation and Open Space (PROS) Plan, including opportunities to provide feedback on the multi-use field lighting hours at 132nd Square Park.
For more information about the project and for construction updates, go to www.kirklandwa.gov/132ndSquarePark.
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