Newport Hills Woodlawn Park, a 13.5 acre neighborhood facility, has opened after one decade in the making. To celebrate this newest addition to Bellevue’s network of parks, a grand opening ceremony will be held on October 15 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will feature a ribbon cutting, live music from local musicians and hot dogs.

“Bellevue’s parks are treasured community assets, allowing everyone to gather, play, learn and develop a relationship with nature,” said Mayor Lynne Robinson.

Newport Hills Woodlawn Park features an open lawn; forested and loop trails; a playground; adult exercise equipment; a picnic shelter; and restrooms and parking. Once grass is established in the spring, a fenced off-leash dog area will open at 11560 Southeast 60th Street.

Back in 2010, with funding from the 2008 Parks and Natural Areas Levy and King County Conservation Futures, the city of Bellevue acquired the first of three properties on Southeast 60th Street for a neighborhood park in the Newport Hills neighborhood.

Fast forward to 2015, when the city of Bellevue acquired the second parcel for the park, which is 5 acres, heavily forested, and sits adjacent to and north of the first property. By 2019 the city of Bellevue acquired the last parcel, which is 3.5 acres.

Funding for Newport Hills Woodlawn Park’s planning and development phases were approved in the 2019-2021 budget cycle. In 2019 the community worked with city staff to come up with the final vision of the park.

“Thanks to the community for its active engagement and patience in the planning and development of the park,” said Michael Shiosaki, director of Parks & Community Services. “It’s great to see the next jewel in Bellevue’s park system now open for all to enjoy!”

Following the completion of engineering and permitting, construction began in 2021 with some funding having come from the 2020-2025 King County Parks Levy.