Link 2 Lake Supporters!
It’s been just over a year since the park opened on April 13, 2024 — and so much excitement has unfolded since then! Take a look at what’s been happening and what’s in store for Summer 2025!
Our annual Grill Off is happening again for the 5th year! Thursday, August 21st. Please come through for the fun or to compete!
Visual created by Link2Lake member, Ashley R. Townes, fisheries scientist from Eco Research Collab and the University of Washington's School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences.
THE CULTURAL STAGE COLLECTIVE HAS PROGRAMMED AN INCREDIBLE SUMMER OF FREE COMMUNITY EVENTS AT THE EXISTING STAGE PLATFORM. CHECK OUT THE CALENDAR HERE!
The Cultural Stage at Be’er Sheva suffered a loss to the awning structure in late November 2024 when a tree fell on it during the “Bomb Cyclone.” We have applied for grants to fund a new structure, and are crossing our fingers it will be repaired by Summer 2026. We are still excited to offer a full line up of events Summer 2025, with generous support from Seattle Parks & Recreation.
IN-WATER HABITAT ENHANCEMENT PROJECT AT BE’ER SHEVA PARK
In December 2024, the second phase of Be’er Sheva improvements was completed, culminating in the restoration of aquatic habitats. This phase includes installing logs and an earth mound plant structure at the southern end of Lake Washington. It’s designed to support juvenile Chinook salmon production and emergent plant growth in this historic area.
Areal view of installing log refuges near the mouth of Lower Mapes Creek. Photo credit: Ashley R. Townes
Barge installing log refuges near the mouth of Lower Mapes Creek, preparing to introduce a floating plant structure.
Photo credit: Ashley R. Townes
“This is my spot. My peace, my calm, my happiness, my joy. I’ve been coming here since I was seven years old, before this park was even here. I used to ride my bike and make trails to the water to fish. I’m here 7 a.m. everyday, meeting my family, my people. We convene, we talk, we catch up.”—Christopher Marks, Rainier Beach Resident
The BEACH is HERE!
The Link2Lake committee worked hard with our neighbors, Seattle Parks Foundation and all our partners since 2016 to advocate for public and private funding of this project to bring Rainier Beach waterfront access up to City of Seattle standards.
We are ecstatic that this project is now a reality and a well-resourced park is open and accessible to the Rainier Beach community!
Thank you for your continuing support, and for the community members who created this design in 2018.
Photos from the Grand Re-Opening Celebration on April 13, 2024: Community showed Up!
Photo credit-Suzi Pratt
2023: Rainier Beach Link2Lake crew, partners and supporters doing a walk through at Be’er Sheva park and ecstatically celebrating the project’s near completion. The entrance wall at Be’er Sheva has community written in the 18 primary languages spoken in Rainier Beach. This specific word was chosen by residents during street outreach and an online survey.
2021: Rainier Beach Link2Lake crew activating Be’er Sheva park and waiting for construction to start. In 2016, stakeholders from several community organizations in the Rainier Beach neighborhood & residents began discussions about an improved connection between the Rainier Beach Light Rail Station & Lake Washington, a.k.a. Link2Lake. This desire was part of RB’s Neighborhood Plan and RBLink2Lake formed to bring that vision to reality.
2018: Founding members of Rainier Beach Link2Lake Committee activating the park for community design input.
Jenny Frankl, Monika Matthews, Sally Li, George Lee, Bill Pickard, Patrice Thomas, Simon Wright, Sean Watts
Be’er Sheva is Family: Long-time park Stewards: Christopher Marks, Little Mama, Amos Jackson, Keisha Williams & Victoria join L2L members: Sally Li, Ashley Townes & Shannon Waits to make a film about the park project.
Much gratitude to our community donors!
Thank you to our Philanthropic donors:
Miller Family Foundation
Cuyamaca Foundation
Norcliffe Foundation
Satterberg
4Culture
Amazon
Thank you to our public agencies and leaders that have contributed funding:
City Councilor Tammy Morales
State Senator Saldaña
State Representative Santos
State Representative Harris-Talley
Seattle Parks Foundation
King County Flood Control District
City of Seattle Arts & Culture
City of Seattle Department of Neighborhoods
All Seattle City Councilors & Mayor Durkan
