What is Bell Street Park known for?

Bell Street Park is Seattle's first shared street project, designed as a park-like corridor where pedestrians, cyclists, and automobiles share the space on continuous level pavement.

The park is located in the heart of downtown Seattle's Belltown neighborhood on Bell Street between First and Fourth avenues.

It functions as an activated public space featuring landscaping, chairs, flowers, and various activities such as food trucks, live music, and games.

Does the park have any art?

Yes, nationally recognized artist Sheila Klein created four bronze artworks that are featured on each of the blocks the park occupies.

Is it accessible for cyclists?

Yes, the park's design encourages cyclists to share the space, and a project completed in early 2021 created a two-way protected bike lane and modified traffic operations to allow two-way bicycle travel on part of the park.

What should I check before going?

Use Gyde for context, then check official sources for current hours, tickets, construction, and closures.

Bell Street Park in Seattle

Bell Street Park

A pioneering 'shared street' in Belltown, this park-like corridor blends urban transit with open space, featuring bronze artworks and a design inspired by Dutch living streets.

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What to know

Bell Street Park is a unique park-like corridor located in the heart of Seattle's Belltown neighborhood, stretching along four city blocks between First and Fourth avenues. Officially opened on April 12, 2014, it stands as the city's first shared street project. The space was born from a collaboration between city officials and Belltown neighborhood residents who envisioned a bold transformation of the urban environment. Architecturally, the park is modeled on the Dutch concept of a 'living street,' where continuous level pavement allows pedestrians, cyclists, and automobiles to share the space. To achieve this, the city worked with Hewitt Architects and SvR Design Company. The design prioritizes aesthetics and functionality, utilizing Rama LED lighting with dual-height luminaires on single poles to reduce clutter and create a distinct visual identity. Beyond its infrastructure, the corridor serves as an activated public space. The extra-wide sidewalks are designed to host flowers, chairs, and landscaping, and frequently feature live music, food trucks, and games. This commitment to public health and accessibility was furthered in June 2020, when the area was designated a Healthy Street during the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to the installation of permanent Healthy Street signs in July 2022. Art is integrated directly into the landscape through the work of nationally recognized artist Sheila Klein. Her contribution consists of four bronze artworks, with one piece featured on each of the four blocks the park occupies, ensuring that visitors encounter art as they traverse the corridor.

Visitor tips

Look for the four distinct bronze sculptures by Sheila Klein, one located on each city block.
Keep an eye out for local food trucks and live music, which frequently activate the wide sidewalks.
Be mindful of the shared pavement; while designed for pedestrians, one lane of traffic still operates through the park.

Nearby context

Located in the Belltown neighborhood, this corridor serves as a pedestrian-friendly artery between First and Fourth avenues, bridging the gap between the dense urban core and the surrounding residential and commercial blocks.

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