Westlake Park Redesign Updates - Adjacency Bias

Context:Westlake Park has been a defining part of downtown Seattle since 1988—and a landmark within the local skateboarding community. With the 2026 World Cup approaching, the Parks Department announced plans for a redesign, opening the door for public input.

For many skaters, Westlake isn’t just another plaza—it’s a cultural touchpoint, shaped by decades of skate history, style, and community. As concerns grew around the space losing its character, I created a series of Instagram carousels to mobilize local voices.

Goal: Encourage community members, especially those in the skate scene, to participate in public feedback sessions hosted by the Parks Department and design firm Berger Partnership.

Role: Community advocate, content creator, designer, and copywriter

Approach: Designed and wrote social-first carousel posts under tight timelines to:

• Provide quick context on the redesign

• Highlight Westlake’s cultural relevance

• Share meeting details and clear calls to action

Outcomes:

• Tripled community turnout: Skater attendance at public feedback sessions increased from 3 participants in the first meeting to 9 in the second.

• Influenced design preservation: Key skateable features—such as the granite fountain ledge and granite blocks—were confirmed to remain part of the redesigned plaza.

• Fostered public partnership: Helped initiate a collaboration between the Parks Department and 35th North, resulting in a community-facing “Westlake Sendoff” skate demo celebrating the space’s legacy.