Myrtle Edwards Park

Myrtle Edwards Park is a 4.8-acre (19,000 m²) public park along the Seattle waterfront at 3130 Alaskan Way, north of Belltown. Open 24 hours, the park offers a 1.25-mile-long bicycle and walking path, picnic tables, and waterfront access. It plays host to the Fourth of Jul-Ivar's celebration, one of Seattle's two Fourth of July fireworks shows.

Originally named Elliott Bay Park, the park is now named after former city councilwoman Myrtle Edwards, who spearheaded the acquisition of the gas-plant site at the north end of Lake Union with the idea of converting it to a park space in the 1960s. Edwards died in a car accident in 1969 and that park was named in her honor the same year.

In 1972, however, when it became evident the city planned to leave the gas-works structures in the park's overall plan, Myrtle Edwards' family requested her name be withdrawn from the park. It was renamed Gas Works Park and in 1976 her family approved the renaming of Elliott Bay Park as Myrtle Edwards Park in her honor.

References

• Seattle Parks and Recreation: Myrtle Edwards Park

• Seattle Parks and Recreation: Myrtle Edwards Park history