The vision for Meydenbauer Bay Park is that of a world class waterfront park that serves a growing Bellevue and its densifying and vibrant downtown as a civic destination and community treasure.Berger Partnership
Meydenbauer Bay Park represents a transformative vision for Bellevue’s waterfront, building upon a strategic land use plan first conceived in 2010. This ambitious expansion project, led by Berger Partnership, is set to reimagine the connection between downtown Bellevue and Lake Washington, creating a vibrant civic destination that celebrates the city’s unique relationship with water.
Despite being known as a “city on the water,” Bellevue has historically lacked accessible waterfront spaces for residents and visitors. The Phase 2 project addresses this limitation by dramatically transforming the park’s gateway and shoreline. The design ingeniously responds to the site’s challenging steep topography, introducing a tiered parking solution that not only reduces construction costs and carbon emissions compared to a below grade parking structure, but also enhances safety and visibility throughout the park. An innovative outdoor plaza and community pavilion will serve as a welcoming beacon, drawing visitors from Main Street into a reimagined public space that seamlessly connects downtown to the waterfront.
The project’s comprehensive approach focuses on ecosystem restoration, universal accessibility, and community engagement. Over the past 25 years, the City of Bellevue has strategically acquired waterfront parcels with a vision of creating a community treasure. Following the successful Phase 1 park completion in 2019, this next phase aims to expand shoreline restoration efforts and create a more integrated urban experience. Extensive community outreach has been crucial in shaping the project, with multiple stakeholder sessions conducted to ensure the park meets diverse public needs. The design team’s commitment to creating a natural park experience while navigating complex site constraints—including maintaining street access, parking, and emergency vehicle routes—demonstrates a nuanced approach to urban landscape design.
Looking forward, the Meydenbauer Bay Park Phase 2 project promises to extend Bellevue’s vibrant urban fabric down to the waterfront. By providing elevated pedestrian walkways, a welcoming gateway plaza, and restored ecological spaces, the park will offer residents and visitors an unprecedented opportunity to connect with the natural beauty of Lake Washington, transforming what was once a hidden gem into a dynamic, accessible public destination.
Landscape Architect (prime): Berger Partnership
Architect: The Miller Hull Partnership, LLP
Civil Engineer: Herrera
Structural Engineer: KPFF