Lake Washington Boulevard / Heritage Landscapes

Lake Washington Boulevard
Seattle, Washington

Addressing the history, chronology and existing conditions of the nine-mile boulevard designed by the Olmsted Brothers in 1904, the project culminated in preservation guidelines and first phase project recommendations. The boulevard passes through residential, park and lakeside settings requiring constant consideration of the surrounding urban fabric, some of which contributed to the scenic and recreational qualities and other aspects which detracted from those qualities. Appropriate treatments for each situation were developed including roadway and pedestrian paving, parking, access to facilities, curbing, bollards, plantings, signage, all considered within the historic context. A vocabulary of materials and construction treatments for each of the three boulevard settings was developed for use in all future projects. The aspects of this project that are relevant to similar works addressing parkways include circulation elements, integration of access and recreational uses, the optimization of scenic qualities, and the development of a unified and historically appropriate vocabulary of materials and treatments. Initial projects addressed the integration of a new interstate route that bisected the parkway and the integration of a pedestrian/jogging path for safe access and enjoyment of the lakefront scenery.

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Client:
City of Seattle, Washington

Project:
History, Chronology and Existing Conditions Assessment leading to Preservation Guidelines and Recommendations for Phase I of Lake Washington Blvd Project

Project Credits:
Patricia M. O’Donnell, Associate, Anthony Walmsley, Principal, Walmsley & Company, historic landscape consultants to EDAW Inc.