Mayor David Baker, city council members, residents, businesses and several different groups from the Kenmore Waterfront Activities Center attended a special ribbon cutting ceremony on May 3 at Rhododendron Park, located at 6910 NE 170th St.
For the last year, the city of Kenmore has been working to improve public access to the Sammamish River by constructing a new trail and boardwalk that connects the existing playfield through the natural open space to the riverfront and new dock.
The project also improved the access drive and parking near the river, and made several environmental enhancements to the shoreline and wetlands.
“In 2016, Kenmore voters approved the Walkways and Waterways Initiative to improve pedestrian and bicyclist safety, and public access to Kenmore’s waterfront. I’m excited to say that our first Walkways and Waterways project is complete,” Baker stated as he opened the event.
Improving public access to the waterfront is a top community priority, according to the city. The new elevated boardwalk path now links the 12.5-acre Rhododendron Park to the shoreline, in addition to the Kenmore Boat Launch. The new boarding float is ideal for launching kayaks or other hand-powered watercraft and easily accessible to pedestrians.
Squire’s Landing Park further east along the river at 7353 NE 175th St. also just received a new float. There will be a ribbon cutting ceremony for that during the Kenmore Waterfront Activities Fair on May 19.
For more information about these projects, visit www.kenmorewa.gov/
Kenmore celebrates the opening of boating season at Rhododendron Park on May 3. Photo courtesy of Becky Range/city of Kenmore
The first project of the voter-approved Walkways and Waterways Initiative — the new boardwalk and float at Rhododendron Park — is now complete. Photo courtesy of Becky Range/city of Kenmore
Boating enthusiasts learn more about the new facilities at Rhododendron Park. Photo courtesy of Becky Range/city of Kenmore
