Seattle Parks & Recreation – Volunteer Park Outdoor Amphitheater Replacement and Parking Lot Improvements
LPD Engineering provided civil engineering services for the transformation of Seattle’s historic Volunteer Park Amphitheater, a landmark project that replaced a functionally obsolete 1971 structure with a new 4,000-square-foot performance pavilion. Working alongside Owen Richards Architects and Walker Macy landscape architects, LPD’s scope encompassed comprehensive site improvements surrounding the amphitheater and parking area modifications near the Seattle Asian Art Museum. The project presented unique challenges in preserving the integrity of the 1910 Olmsted-designed park while implementing modern accessibility requirements, including creating ADA-compliant pathways that seamlessly connect the new facility to the greater park context and integrating accessible parking within the historic landscape.
In collaboration with Seattle Parks and Recreation and the Volunteer Park Trust, LPD Engineering’s expertise was instrumental in developing infrastructure solutions that supported the project’s transformation. The firm’s work included careful coordination of utility connections for new restroom facilities, modification of site drainage structures, and implementation of accessible routes that respect the historic Olmsted design. Completed in July 2022, the revitalized amphitheater creates an engaging, highly adaptable space that enhances the park’s role as a premier outdoor performance venue while honoring its historic character through thoughtfully integrated civil engineering solutions.
