Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park (2024)

Construction to replace the trestle bridgelocated just north of the north restrooms and sailing center in Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park was completed and the span reopened on August 30, 2023. The project started on October 31, 2022.

• Coulon Construction projects starting October 2022

Replacing the bridge was critical to maintaining the park's much-loved pedestrian trail and connection within the park. The new clear-span steel bridge provides a new viewpoint along the pedestrian trail and includes interpretive signage. The project also removed all 58 existing in-water piles and include new light penetrating decking, both to enhance fish habitat.

Replacing the bridge required closing the north end of Coulon Park, from the north turn around to the north pedestrian gate. The closure was required because emergency vehicles were unable to access this portion of the park while the bridge is removed and replaced.

The construction contract was awarded to American Construction Company, Inc. Funding for the project includes 2019 Renton Park Bond funds, a Federal Land and Water Conservation Fund Grant Award by the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office, 2019 King CountyProposition No. 1 Parks, Recreation, Trails and Open Space Levy funding and local funding.

Intermediate repairs were completed in 2019 and have extended the life of the bridge for three years. The most recent structural assessment indicated that replacement is required for park patron safety and maintenance access to the north end of the park. Investment in Coulon Park, including major replacements such as the Trestle Bridge, is in the top five city-wide priorities in the 2020 Parks, Recreation and Natural Areas Plan.

Please contact Alan J. Wyatt at 425-430-6571 or [emailprotected] with any questions.

The Parks Planning and Natural Resources Division reopened the North Water Walk at Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park on August 4, 2023, under budget and ahead of schedule.

The popular walk had been closed since October 2022 in order to:

• Replace existing concrete deck panels with 60% light penetrating fiberglass grating and concrete panels to match the newer deck at Ivar's Restaurant and improve fish habitat.

• Wrap existing piles supporting the structure to increase longevity

• Install new steel framing.

• Replace all timber components with plastic timber.

• Repaint existing light poles and guardrails.

• Repaint existing Pilot House.

• Install new fiberglass picnic float grating.

• Refurbish picnic float benches and tables.

All work met local, state, and federal regulatory requirements and requirements established in the State Department of Natural Resources Lease Agreement.

Project funding came from the 2019 Renton Park Bond funds, the Taxpayers of Washington through a Direct Legislative Appropriation Grant, a King County Parks Capital and Open Space Grant, 2019 King County Proposition No. 1 Parks, Recreation, Trails and Open Space Levy funding, and local funding.

Redside Construction and PND Engineers were project construction partners.

Please contact Betsy Severtsen at [emailprotected] or 425-757-6657 with any questions.

• Coulon Construction projects starting October 2022

The replacement of the Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park playground was completed, and the playground opened on March 2, 2021.

The new play equipment was chosen based on a community survey conducted in the summer of 2020. Included are many all-abilities components: see-saw, group swing and individual swings, and two unique climbing structures. The project was funded by Washington state taxpayers through a State Direct Legislative Appropriation.

The structural repairs to eight facilities at Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park have been completed after eight months of construction, which started in September of 2018.

Repairs to the facilities included:

• the replacement of structural steel and timber decking at the Ivar’s deck with new galvanized steel, fiberglass and aluminum grating;

• new aluminum finger piers at the Day Boat Moorage;

• removal of wood timber wave skirts at the North Water Walk and South Water Walk;

• new floatation and deck repairs at the Sailing Center;

• structural piling repairs at the Trestle Bridge;

• new plastic timber lagging at the Wave Break;

• repairs to the main dock and hinge replacements at the piers at the boat launch.

The structural improvements to the facilities replaced aging structural components and wood timbers with new galvanized steel and aluminum, fiberglass grating, and plastic timber. Increasing the life span, decreasing maintenance, increased safety, and meeting new aquatic environmental requirements, these improvements will provide years of service for park patrons visiting Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park.

In 2015, the plaza concrete pavers outside of Kidd Valley restaurant and the North Pavilion at Coulon Park were determined to be no longer functional. Originally installed in 1982, they were replaced them with poured-in-place concrete which are fully accessible, provide safe circulation, and will last for at least 50 years.