Anchor QEA completed a Master Plan and Phase I design and permitting for the 154-acre Seahurst Park in Burien, Washington.  The project included over 4,000 linear feet of Puget Sound shoreline and steep, unstable, forested bluffs.  The Master Plan included an assessment of the site’s physical and biological processes, public involvement, and developing a program and design criteria to support master planning.  The resulting Master Plan included protection of all of the park’s existing natural areas, restoration of nearshore and freshwater habitat, improved trails and shoreline public access for recreational use, and recommendations for future site acquisition of adjacent properties.  Anchor QEA completed the Master Plan in 2002.

Phase I implementation of the Master Plan focuses on the south 1,400 linear feet of shoreline.  Anchor QEA has been involved in all aspects of Phase I, including bulkhead removal and beach restoration, shoreline vegetation restoration, and redesign and improvements to park facilities.  Anchor QEA coordinated with the City of Burien and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for bulkhead removal and beach restoration completion in 2005 to ensure consistency with the intent of the Master Plan.  Subsequently, Anchor QEA acquired local, state, and federal permits for remaining work by the City of Burien.  In order to obtain permits, extensive wetland and stream delineations were required, and mitigation consistent with the Master Plan was identified.  Anchor QEA assisted the City of Burien with obtaining two Interagency Committee for Outdoor Recreation grants through the Land and Water Conservation Fund and Aquatic Lands Enhancement Account programs.  The native shoreline vegetation restoration was completed in 2006 and park facilities improvements will be completed in 2008. 

The first phase of the Master Plan is being implemented through a partnership between the City and the Corps.  This work includes removal of 1,400 linear feet of failing gabion bulkhead and construction of natural gravel beach.  The Phase I project is being extensively monitored by Anchor QEA as a pilot project for other Puget Sound restoration efforts.

For more information on this project, please contact Peter Hummel at phummel@anchorqea.com.