CITY OF RENTON
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 17, 2019
Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park construction project concludes
Eight areas have been upgraded including new decking around the restaurants and on the day piers
RENTON, WA – The south deck and day boat moorage at Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park have reopened, completing a major renovation project at the park in time for Memorial Day weekend.
The repairs to the south and north decks [Flickr slide show] that surround Ivar’s restaurant include replacing the steel substructure and the old timber decking and stairs with new galvanized steel substructure, and fiberglass and aluminum grated decking. This new decking will not only last longer but also allows natural sunlight to pass through, providing a more fish-friendly environment. An ecological and aquatic-friendly water skirt replaced the wood timbers at the wave break. In addition, timber wave skirts along the north and south water walks were removed to improve the aquatic environment and meet new regulatory requirements.
Other areas of the park that underwent improvements were the boat launch, including substructure reinforcement, utility and decking improvements; the Trestle Bridge and the Sailing Center.
The work was undertaken after regular scheduled facility assessment reports identified eight structures that needed repair. Construction started last October and continued during the park’s quieter months, breaking only for the annual Clam Lights celebration in December. Work on all areas except the south deck and day boat moorage were completed this past January at which time work commenced on the south deck and boat moorage areas.
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About the City of Renton
The City of Renton, Washington, with a population of 104,100 (2018), is located on the southeast shore of Lake Washington, just south of Seattle. Renton's strong economic base, diverse marketplace and favorable business climate have attracted the attention of nationally recognized companies that are providing employees and their families an outstanding quality of life. Renton is the home of Boeing, PACCAR, IKEA, the Seattle Seahawks, and the eternal resting place of Jimi Hendrix. More information can be found on our website, news releases, or Facebook, Twitter, and Nextdoor pages.
About Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park
Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park sits on a 57-acre site along the southeastern shore of Lake Washington and is one of the most popular and versatile parks in King County. Coulon features 1.5 miles of paved trails along the shoreline, a swimming beach, boat launch, jogging/walking paths, playground equipment, tennis courts, horseshoe pits, sand volleyball courts, a fishing pier, picnic shelters, art, an interpretative walk, Bird Island, lawns and Ivar’s and Kidd Valley restaurants. It is the home to Renton’s annual Fourth of July celebration, summer waterfront concert series, Holiday Clam Lights, and Polar Bear Plunge on January 1. Coulon Park is ADA accessible and is open daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Dogs and bicycles are not allowed in the park.
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