Luther Burbank Docks and Adjacent Waterfront Renovation and Upgrade

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The City's Public Works Department is planning to renovate the waterfront at Luther Burbank Park. Built in 1974, the docks and adjacent waterfront need major repairs to continue to provide the public with shoreline recreation. In particular, the fixed height piers are not useful for smaller boats and don't serve the needs of most current boaters or the City's boating programs.

The City is completing a design to:

  • Replace the south piers with floating docks for small (26' or less) power boats and non-motorized craft
  • Renovate the north pier
  • Expand the cobble beach and provide an accessible route to the ordinary high water level
  • Renovate the plaza with permeable paving, landscaping, furnishings and art
  • Install an overwater platform next to the Handsome Bollards to provide seating and contact with the lake
  • Stabilize the Boiler Building for continued boat storage and future reuse as a small craft boating facility
  • Renovate the restrooms and concession stand for boating programs
  • Improve drainage across the site while minimizing impacts to the nearshore lake environment
  • Install a lake water intake and irrigation pump to irrigate the swim beach and Calkins Point
  • Install a new fire suppression system to serve the docks and Boiler Building

This work will use the Luther Burbank Park Master Plan to guide the design process. The plan provides a vision of a waterfront activity center centered around small boats including power, sail and paddlecraft. The design will also consider how to make the waterfront more accessible and attractive for the general public.

This project has received (so far) funding from the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Funding Board, The U.S. Department of Fish and Wildlife, and King County Flood Control District. Washington State Department of Natural Resources leases the shorelands at no cost for public access to the waters of the State.

The City's Public Works Department is planning to renovate the waterfront at Luther Burbank Park. Built in 1974, the docks and adjacent waterfront need major repairs to continue to provide the public with shoreline recreation. In particular, the fixed height piers are not useful for smaller boats and don't serve the needs of most current boaters or the City's boating programs.

The City is completing a design to:

  • Replace the south piers with floating docks for small (26' or less) power boats and non-motorized craft
  • Renovate the north pier
  • Expand the cobble beach and provide an accessible route to the ordinary high water level
  • Renovate the plaza with permeable paving, landscaping, furnishings and art
  • Install an overwater platform next to the Handsome Bollards to provide seating and contact with the lake
  • Stabilize the Boiler Building for continued boat storage and future reuse as a small craft boating facility
  • Renovate the restrooms and concession stand for boating programs
  • Improve drainage across the site while minimizing impacts to the nearshore lake environment
  • Install a lake water intake and irrigation pump to irrigate the swim beach and Calkins Point
  • Install a new fire suppression system to serve the docks and Boiler Building

This work will use the Luther Burbank Park Master Plan to guide the design process. The plan provides a vision of a waterfront activity center centered around small boats including power, sail and paddlecraft. The design will also consider how to make the waterfront more accessible and attractive for the general public.

This project has received (so far) funding from the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Funding Board, The U.S. Department of Fish and Wildlife, and King County Flood Control District. Washington State Department of Natural Resources leases the shorelands at no cost for public access to the waters of the State.

  • WA Boating Facilities Grant Awarded

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    The City was awarded a $173,000 grant from Washington State's Boating Facilities Program to support a new floating dock to replace some of the fixed piers that currently exist. This will make the dock more usable for small boats and reduce the impact it has on lake habitat. Since the dock needs major repairs, this is a good time to look at this opportunity for needed improvements.

    The dock was built in 1974 also with a Boating Facilities Program grant. That program and others can be used to fund the improvements that come out of this process. Park users will


    The City was awarded a $173,000 grant from Washington State's Boating Facilities Program to support a new floating dock to replace some of the fixed piers that currently exist. This will make the dock more usable for small boats and reduce the impact it has on lake habitat. Since the dock needs major repairs, this is a good time to look at this opportunity for needed improvements.

    The dock was built in 1974 also with a Boating Facilities Program grant. That program and others can be used to fund the improvements that come out of this process. Park users will have a chance to give their suggestions as the process gets underway, so stay tuned.

    For more information, contact Paul West at 206-275-7833 or paul.west@mercergov.org.

  • City Applies for Boating Facilities Grant to Pursue Dock Reconfiguration

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    The City of Mercer Island has applied for a Washington State Boating Facilities Grant through the Recreation and Conservation Office this winter. This grant, if awarded, would contribute to the design of one or more replacement sections of the docks at Luther Burbank Park so that they better meet boaters needs. Time lapse video from 2017 and user surveys shows that most of the boats using these docks are smaller pleasure boats. A floating dock would make it easier for these boats to tie up for day moorage. The current fixed pier docks are too high for small boats to

    The City of Mercer Island has applied for a Washington State Boating Facilities Grant through the Recreation and Conservation Office this winter. This grant, if awarded, would contribute to the design of one or more replacement sections of the docks at Luther Burbank Park so that they better meet boaters needs. Time lapse video from 2017 and user surveys shows that most of the boats using these docks are smaller pleasure boats. A floating dock would make it easier for these boats to tie up for day moorage. The current fixed pier docks are too high for small boats to use easily.

    If the City receives the grant, design would start in the second half of 2019. Public input would help guide the design with City Council making a final decision in 2020. Keep your fingers crossed!

Page last updated: 16 Jun 2026, 09:20 AM