Bellevue Downtown Park is a 20-acre (81,000 m2) park located in the heart of downtown Bellevue, WA. The park was designed for passive and unstructured use, and as a "respite from the activities of busy urban life." In December 1983, the City of Bellevue acquired 17 acres (69,000 m2) within Bellevue's central business district from the Bellevue School District for $14.3 Million, and financed the transaction through Councilmanic bonds backed by a local option sales tax. In the years since the park land was purchased, approximately four acres have been added to the site.