The Burien Parks Department announced this week that Seahurst Park will close on Sept. 3, the day after Labor Day and remain closed through April 2014 for a major construction project that involves removal of the seawall in the northern section of the park, restoration of the natural beach and construction of a new fish ladder.

The announcement comes following approval by the state Legislature of the state budget, which includes $5.7 million for the Seahurst seawall removal. In addition, $3.9 million in funding is being made available through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. A total of $9.6 million has now been secured from state and federal sources for the project and construction can now proceed, Parks and Recreation Director Michael Lafreniere told the Burien City Council at its meeting Monday, July 1.

The project will involve removal of the seawall and restoration of the beach to a more natural condition. The work will include all areas of the park along the shoreline, from the lower parking lot extending north.

A similar project was conducted on the south portion of the park in 2005, where 1,400 feet of seawall was removed and the beach restored, enhancing salmon feeding habitat.

Seahurst Park is expected to reopen in May 2014. More work will be done after 2014 to fully restore some of the recreational elements of the park.