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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 25, 2023
MEDIA CONTACT
Christina Wilner, Communications and Marketing Project Administrator
cwilner@redmond.gov, 425-556-2457
Esterra Park Opens in Overlake Neighborhood
REDMOND, WA - Community members are invited to a ribbon cutting at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 1, at Esterra Park (2808 Calder Avenue NE), to celebrate the opening of Overlake’s newest public space. This 2.67-acre park is the first major privately-owned public space (POPs) in Redmond and helps meet the needs of the growing neighborhood.
“Creating spaces like Esterra Park, plays a vital role in building connection in our communities and helps support equal access to recreational opportunities, cultural experiences, and social interactions, as well as promotes inclusivity,” said Mayor Angela Birney. “We’re grateful for our partners who invested in Esterra Park and provided this beautiful new place for our vibrant community.”
The park was created by leveraging developer incentives written in Redmond’s Zoning Code, with the goal to benefit the entire community. Together, the City, Capstone Partners, and JLL worked with care and intentionality to determine how the community would engage with the space. From its layout to its accessibility features, as well as the selection of plants and reclaimed wood seating areas, the design elements were meticulously selected to be welcoming and accessible to the community. Notably, the inclusion of a wildflower native pollinator mix aligns with the City and partners’ shared commitment to supporting local ecosystems and providing a haven for the birds and bees.
POPS add more public spaces to the City’s park system for community enjoyment, but are managed and maintained by the private owner. POPS, like Esterra Park, must adhere to the City of Redmond park rules. Maintenance needs and concerns can be reported through the City’s service request system and will be addressed by the private company or homeowners’ association.
The completed park, which was designed and approved by the Parks and Trails Commission in 2014, includes public art, a plaza, an accessible elevator, tree groves, a meadow, an amphitheater, and integrates a hill climb to the north of the park to easily access the nearby light rail station.
To learn more about the project, visit redmond.gov/1979.
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