Seattle Keeps Mountain Bike Trails at I-5 Colonnade Park Closed Over Safety Concerns

Seattle Keeps Mountain Bike Trails at I-5 Colonnade Park Closed Over Safety Concerns

Several mountain bike trails at Seattle's I-5 Colonnade Park will remain closed because deteriorating wooden structures have become unsafe for visitors, Seattle Parks and Recreation announced November 6.

The closure affects the southeastern portion of the park, where wooden obstacles, riding surfaces, retaining walls and ramps have deteriorated to the point that using them could pose a danger.

City officials are installing additional signs to make the restricted areas easier to identify and are asking visitors to respect the closure.

Deteriorating wooden features prompt continued closure

According to Seattle Parks and Recreation, the affected wooden trail structures have deteriorated significantly and are no longer considered safe for public use.

The restrictions cover all dirt mountain bike trails in the southeastern section containing these wooden features.

The closure applies not only to cyclists but also to pedestrians and people visiting the area with pets. Visitors are being asked to stay outside the restricted sections rather than enter them on foot.

The department says the additional signage is intended to help park users recognize which areas are off-limits.

No reopening date or funding confirmed

Seattle Parks and Recreation is working with the Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance to explore funding options for removing the deteriorated wooden structures.

However, officials have not identified a funding source or established a timeline for the work.

The city has not announced when the affected trails might reopen. Their future availability will depend on addressing the safety problems and completing the necessary work.

Other park attractions remain open

The closure does not affect every part of I-5 Colonnade Park.

Visitors can continue using other available amenities, including the dog park and the recently installed pump track.

The pump track was developed through a partnership between Seattle Parks and Recreation and the Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance. It provides paved riding areas designed for different skill levels, including a beginner-friendly and adaptive track.

The park is located at 1701 Lakeview Boulevard East, beneath Interstate 5 between Seattle's Eastlake and Capitol Hill neighborhoods.

Cheasty Natural Area offers another mountain biking option

Seattle Parks and Recreation recommends Cheasty Natural Area as an alternative for mountain bikers looking for trails elsewhere in the city.

Riders can also consult the Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance website for additional information about mountain biking opportunities and trail conditions in the region.

The city says it appreciates visitors' cooperation while the affected sections remain closed.

For now, riders should check posted signs and avoid the southeastern dirt-trail area until Seattle Parks and Recreation announces that it is safe to reopen.