The Seattle Parks Board has recommended that the Superintendent approve a proposal to expand the dock at Seacrest Park so that the King County Water Taxi, previously named Elliott Bay Water Taxi, can start year-round operations in 2010.

Accommodating year-round service requires a new floating dock at Seacrest Park with a wider, longer gangway. New concrete floats would also provide greater stability and easier access for kayakers and other small boats.

Mike Beck, acting director of the King County Marine Division, explained that changes to the dock’s shape would also allow the water taxi to dock perpendicular to the shore so that it does not have to sweep as close to scuba divers as necessary when parking parallel to the shoreline.

In 2008, after the King County Ferry District took over the Water Taxi, a record high of 182,000 riders used the service. Now, the district has recommended the service become year-round in 2010. Currently, the Water Taxi runs from April through October.

“As we’ve watched the water taxi clientele grow people are becoming more used to the service and enjoy it more and we’re finding that commuters are using it more,” said Kjristine Lund, executive director of the King County Ferry District.

If approved by the parks board, the project would likely go to bid in July so that construction might be completed by December.

The April 5 opening of the Water Taxi’s summer season will be marked with a celebration from noon to 2 p.m. at Seacrest Park with live entertainment, refreshments, and family activities, plus a full day of free Water Taxi rides. King County Water Taxi service on the West Seattle-to-downtown route will continue through Oct. 31.