As water levels recede in the Green and Duwamish Rivers, the City of Tukwila has begun assessing the damage recent flooding inflicted on parks, trails, and recreational facilities.
Significant damage has been reported along several sections of the regional trail system by both rivers, leading to closures that officials say could last weeks or longer.
Residents are urged to obey posted closure signs and avoid closed trail sections for their safety.
Foster Golf Course has partially reopened, with 14 holes available for play, the city announced Friday.
However, some holes remain closed due to standing water and shoreline erosion, which are still under evaluation by the City of Tukwila.
Meanwhile, Billy Baroo’s, the golf course restaurant and bar, is operating during its normal business hours.
The City of Tukwila will continue monitoring conditions and assessing damage as water levels further decline.
The trail closures reflect damage that’s likely extensive enough to require significant repairs before reopening. Regional trails typically feature paved or gravel surfaces that can be undermined by floodwaters, creating unsafe conditions even after water recedes.
The Green River Trail and Duwamish River Trail form important transportation and recreation corridors for Tukwila and surrounding communities. Cyclists, joggers, and pedestrians use these trails daily for commuting and exercise, making the closures a substantial disruption.
The warning to obey closure signs suggests some people have been ignoring barriers to access closed sections. Trail users sometimes assume receding water means trails are safe, but hidden damage like undermined pavement, washed-out supports, or debris-covered hazards can cause injuries.
Foster Golf Course reopening 14 of its 18 holes demonstrates the city’s effort to restore recreational amenities quickly whilst managing safety concerns. Golf courses occupy low-lying land near rivers that flood regularly, making them particularly vulnerable.
The four holes remaining closed likely occupy the lowest elevations or areas closest to the river where erosion damaged greens, fairways, or cart paths. Standing water prevents play and can kill grass if it remains too long.
Shoreline erosion represents a serious concern beyond just golf course operations. Erosion can undermine infrastructure, threaten buildings, and permanently alter river channels. Evaluation takes time because engineers must assess whether erosion is stable or likely to continue.
Billy Baroo’s remaining open during normal hours provides some revenue for the golf course operation even whilst parts of the course remain closed. Restaurant and bar operations don’t depend on the course being fully playable.
The city’s ongoing monitoring indicates conditions remain dynamic. Rivers can rise again with additional rainfall, and damage assessment often reveals problems that weren’t immediately visible when floodwaters covered everything.
The timing of the flooding during late December means recreational facilities face closures during a period when usage is already lower due to winter weather. However, for the golf course, any closure represents lost revenue during a season when courses depend on fair-weather days.
The regional trail closures affect not just Tukwila residents but people from across the region who use these trails as part of longer cycling or running routes. The interconnected trail system means closures in one city create detours and disruptions for trail users from neighbouring communities.
The lack of a specific reopening timeline for trails or the remaining golf holes suggests damage is significant enough that repairs will require engineering assessments, contractor hiring, and potentially weeks or months of work.
