Unity Park

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Unity Park, located in the heart of downtown Ellensburg, will be enjoyed throughout the year as an informal gathering space, a venue for cultural arts and recreational events, and much needed open space to serve the influx of residential development in the downtown area. Proposed design elements for the park include a performance stage, a children’s play area consisting of natural elements such as logs and boulders, a water features, shade structure, public restrooms all within an open and flexible space that can also accommodate large, organized events. The City will begin construction in 2024.


Unity Park Master Planning Process

Through the park master planning process, our elected officials are provided with the necessary information to make decisions about park design that reflects the community's wishes and desires. The City started the initial park planning work on the park in October 2018 resulting in the development of two park concept plans and ultimately a preferred concept plan. Fast forward to today. With the COVID delays and a long delay in park planning, the City has reinitiated the planning process to confirm the wishes and desires of the community for Unity Park.

The City Council designated $1.8 million from federal American Rescue Plan Act funds to complete design and construction of the nearly half-acre park. Previously planned demolition of the former bank drive-thru will not take place in advance of park construction. Due to the poor condition and location of the building, demolition of the full structure will instead take place in conjunction with construction of the park.


Unity Park Design Principles

The following design principles will help provide the framework for final park design:

Unity Park will:

  • Be the central space for Ellensburg's daily gatherings and special events
  • Feel open, inclusive, and welcoming to residents and visitors alike
  • Support a flexible range of event types and sizes
  • Extend the draw of downtown Ellensburg to visitors and across four seasons
  • Be 'of Ellensburg'


Unity Park Timeline

Unity Park, located in the heart of downtown Ellensburg, will be enjoyed throughout the year as an informal gathering space, a venue for cultural arts and recreational events, and much needed open space to serve the influx of residential development in the downtown area. Proposed design elements for the park include a performance stage, a children’s play area consisting of natural elements such as logs and boulders, a water features, shade structure, public restrooms all within an open and flexible space that can also accommodate large, organized events. The City will begin construction in 2024.


Unity Park Master Planning Process

Through the park master planning process, our elected officials are provided with the necessary information to make decisions about park design that reflects the community's wishes and desires. The City started the initial park planning work on the park in October 2018 resulting in the development of two park concept plans and ultimately a preferred concept plan. Fast forward to today. With the COVID delays and a long delay in park planning, the City has reinitiated the planning process to confirm the wishes and desires of the community for Unity Park.

The City Council designated $1.8 million from federal American Rescue Plan Act funds to complete design and construction of the nearly half-acre park. Previously planned demolition of the former bank drive-thru will not take place in advance of park construction. Due to the poor condition and location of the building, demolition of the full structure will instead take place in conjunction with construction of the park.


Unity Park Design Principles

The following design principles will help provide the framework for final park design:

Unity Park will:

  • Be the central space for Ellensburg's daily gatherings and special events
  • Feel open, inclusive, and welcoming to residents and visitors alike
  • Support a flexible range of event types and sizes
  • Extend the draw of downtown Ellensburg to visitors and across four seasons
  • Be 'of Ellensburg'


Unity Park Timeline

  • Construction Starts February 22, 2024

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    Unity Park Construction Starting February 22, 2024

    Parking at the park site and in the alley between Main St. and Pearl St. will be closed starting February 22, 2024. There will be intermittent closures along Pearl St. and 4th Ave. fronting the park. Locate alternative free parking.

    For future construction updates, visit https://www.ellensburgwa.gov/unitypark

  • June 5 Update

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    The Ellensburg City Council received an update on the Unity Park design and timeline at the June 5 City Council study session.



  • Preferred Concept Plan

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    At the meeting on September 19, the City Council approved the conceptual design of Unity Park (former Rotary Pavilion). The concept includes removal of the current bank building and drive-thru, and relocation of the iconic Ellensburg Bull within the park, along with a comfort station (restrooms, storage, and possible concierge space), event infrastructure, a plaza, some type of water feature, lawn, and art. The space is designed to be flexible and to meet the needs for local recreation and gathering as well as events. The goal is to build the park in 2023.

  • September 20 Update

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    The Ellensburg City Council reviewed and approved the Unity Park concept design at the September 19 City Council meeting. The presentation starts around 58:30 in the video below.


  • September 15 Update

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    The Ellensburg City Council will be discussing the final master plan design for Unity Park at the September 19 City Council meeting at 7 p.m. Attend in person or virtually. Watch on ECTV or YouTube. The agenda is available online. View the concept slides for the presentation.


  • June 9 Update

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    On June 8, Unity Park landscape architect Walker Macy hosted a community planning session at Unity Park. The public was invited to visit the park site, talk to the park planning team, and provide input and feedback on the park design concepts. The updated concept plans are available in the documents section of this webpage.