Kiwanis Park

Park Overview

Located in the Highlands area of Renton, Washington, Kiwanis Park spans a generous nine acres, offering a green retreat for neighborhood residents. Once known as President's Park back in the early 1960s, this local favorite has evolved into a community hub over the decades.

After a thorough 17-month makeover, the park reopened its gates on August 8, 2023. The renovation wasn't just a facelift - it transformed the park into a more welcoming, accessible, and fun space for everyone in the community.

Accessibility Features

The park features accessible entrances and a looped walkway that winds through the grounds. This paved path provides a nice circuit for your morning walk, afternoon stroll, or a casual catch-up with friends.

The large open lawns form the center of Kiwanis Park. These green spaces are perfect for spreading out a blanket, tossing a frisbee, or simply lying back to watch the clouds roll by.

Playground

The completely revamped playground is a highlight for children. The modern play area includes a popular zip line, multiple slides, rope climbing structures, various swings, and spinning equipment.

While most of the equipment works best for kids 3 and older, there are swings designed for the little ones too. The playground's wood chip surface provides a cushioned landing for inevitable tumbles and jumps.

Sports Facilities

The athletic areas have received significant upgrades. The ball field features a synthetic all-weather surface infield paired with a natural turf multi-purpose field, making it usable year-round - even during the Pacific Northwest rainy season.

The field comes complete with an updated backstop and covered dugouts to keep players dry during unexpected showers. Whether you're organizing a casual softball game or practicing your baseball skills, the field accommodates both.

For those who prefer court sports, the renovated basketball courts and freshly resurfaced tennis courts offer smooth playing surfaces that have quickly become neighborhood favorites for pickup games and friendly matches.

Community Spaces

The new picnic shelter and paved parent plaza create natural gathering spots for birthday celebrations, family reunions, or impromptu get-togethers. The covered picnic area houses four spacious tables and two barbecue grills with convenient power outlets nearby. If you prefer a more secluded dining experience, you can find additional uncovered picnic tables and grills scattered around the grounds.

You'll notice plenty of benches positioned strategically around the playground and across the park - well-suited for taking a breather, keeping an eye on the kids, or simply sitting back to enjoy the surroundings.

Amenities

The park offers a new Portland Loo restroom - a single-stall, wheelchair-accessible bathroom that is generally well-maintained, though it may occasionally close for cleaning or maintenance.

Four-legged family members are welcome here too. The park is dog-friendly, with poop bag stations available to make cleanup easy. Just remember to keep your pup leashed during your visit.

Getting to Kiwanis is straightforward, with two parking options available: a dedicated lot (which can fill quickly during busy times) and street parking along Union Avenue.

Safety and Design

The renovation didn't just focus on fun - safety was a priority too. New park signs improve navigation, while Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED) principles were integrated throughout to create a secure environment for all visitors.

The park is kept clean, with regular maintenance of facilities and grounds. City staff regularly empty trash bins and tidy up the BBQ areas.

Funding and Community Support

Kiwanis Park's transformation was truly a community achievement. Funding came from multiple sources, including the 2019 Renton Parks Bond funds, Parks Impact Mitigation Fees, 2019 King County Proposition No. 1 Parks levy, and local funding initiatives. The renovated park now serves the neighborhood as a space for families and community members throughout the year.