SDOT expands Golden Gardens Drive closure, says south parking lot may reopen

Meghan Walker Ballard

After fielding concerns and feedback from residents, SDOT has decided to make a few changes to the Golden Garden Drive street closure.

Residents who live at the top of Golden Gardens Drive told SDOT there’s been constant illegal parking, people peeing in yards, and very few people wearing masks. As a result, SDOT says they are taking the following measures, which will go into effect before July 4th:

  • Extending the street closure to the intersection of NW 85th St and 32nd Ave NW, ending it an arterial intersection. This action is possible because the Route 17 bus is currently not in operation.
  • Adding ‘Street Closed Ahead’ signs on 32nd Ave NW, Loyal Way NW, NW 85th St in advance of the NW 85th St and 32nd Ave NW intersection.
  • Covering green signs directing people to use Golden Gardens Dr NW to access Golden Gardens Park and Shilshole Bay Marina to reduce confusion.
  • Placing ‘No-Park’ signs along the curve of Loyal Ave NW and View Ave NW to reinforce posted signs and make it easier to see approaching drivers.
  • Reaching out to our web mapping partners to ensure they are aware of the extended closure and not directing drivers to it.
  • Changing Golden Garden signs to close the park at 9:30pm instead of sunset for more user clarity.

SDOT says they’re also requesting to reopen the Golden Gardens south end parking lot to relieve parking demand in neighborhoods. They say if approved, it won’t take effect until after the July 4th weekend.

“We are working with finite crew resources who have had a hectic week. If a location is missed, please let us know and we’ll return early next week,” Dawn Schellenberg from SDOT says.

SDOT says that they’ve established ADA parking at both ends of the street closure, with a loading zone installed near the south parking lot entrance.

There’s no solid timeframe for how long Golden Gardens Drive will remain closed, but we’ll update if SDOT shares new information.

15 thoughts to “SDOT expands Golden Gardens Drive closure, says south parking lot may reopen”

  1. Ironic that people are cancelling their 4th of July plans because of government restrictions. They’re kind of missing the whole point of Independence day.

      1. Cancelling your plans because of the virus and not because government told you makes much more sense. I am referring to Golden Gardens closure. Were you could easily have a BBQ with family and social distance from others or wear masks.

        I does, however, make me glad that previous generations chose freedom over safety so that we have the choice today whether we want to stay safe or go out and have a good time.

    2. Good luck here with ANY common sense. That went out the door years ago. We’re now entering a revolution. One chalk full of marching morons, nannies, Marxists and wonderful authoritarians, that WILL tow the regimes line, AND wag their fingers at you. Any other opinions are really not welcome here. Ballard used to be a nice place to be. Not so much today. I now look at stop signs as mere suggestions

  2. If the #17 bus were still there, people could take the bus and walk down. The bus could turn right on 85th and use the same turnaround that the #48 (now 45) has used.

    1. You still can get there by Metro; the 45 lays over at 85th and 32nd/Loyal Way (top of the stairs to the park). Depending on where you are in Ballard, you can transfer to the 45 from the 28/D/40. The 40 isn’t even that far away if you just want to walk from 24th.

  3. The signs are confusing as they say Road Closed, when in fact the roads are open for biking, walking etc. I would like to see the signs say something like road closed to motorized vehicles.

    1. Bottom line is that it is a road, just closed temporarily.
      I do like the road being closed temporarily! It does add distance to my commute from the marina to all places north but an alternative to lower stairs. There are inadequate sidewalks from the street closer at View Drive to 85th.
      I do caution both pedestrians and bicyclist that it is still MIXED USE cruising down the road at 30 mph can cause a SERIOUS accident for the biker and pedestrian (think child).
      Motorcyclist keep out.

  4. I gave it a shot today on my daily walk…uphill because I’m a glutton for punsihment. It was lovely. Very lightly attended at 3:45 PM and peaceful, green, birds singing…Two thumbs up.

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