Pioneer Square Blog

Occidental Park trees go bye bye

Occidental Park will be closed for several months starting tomorrow, for the cutting-down of trees and the removal of the pergola

Parks officials believe the thick canopy of trees at Occidental Park casts the park in darkness and makes it less inviting. Construction fences will go up around the park Friday, and work -- which also includes removing a pergola and benches and replacing the park's cobblestones with a new simulated brick surface -- will begin next week.

More in the PI

update: more detail about the changes:

It's all part of a $1.8 million plan to "activate" a park used largely by the homeless and poor who live in the nearby Frye and Morrison hotels. In addition to the bocce ball court already in place, the plan includes adding chess tables, lighting, a raised platform for performances, and electrical outlets for street vendors to use along the park's east edge.

posted by Joe Goldberg @ 9:44 AM