Space open for interim use prior to 2018 construction
Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) opens the Greenwood/Phinney Landbank property located at 8102 Greenwood Ave. N. on Friday, September 8, 2017. The open lawn will be available for community use until park construction begins in spring 2018. SPR will put the park construction project out to bid in early 2018 and anticipates completion by late summer 2018.
Seattle Parks and Recreation and Cascade Design Collaborative worked with the community to design the park. The design includes natural play elements, an open lawn, a gathering/plaza space with seating, a loop path, and planted areas. The project also includes low-impact design strategies featuring amended soils, porous concrete, and increased infiltration created by the new open space. Additionally, better community connections will be provided through street improvements and a raised crosswalk connecting the Greenwood branch library to the park. These elements were identified by the community during the design phase of this project.
SPR had purchased two property sites between N 81st and N 82nd on the east side of Greenwood to develop a park (the mini-mart site purchased in Nov. 2012 and the pub property immediately north, which was purchased in July 2015). After acquisition, the two buildings were demolished and grass has since been established for community use prior to the 2018 construction.
The Friends of Library Park(FOLP) are currently working to help activate the Greenwood/Phinney space. FOLP is hosting a meeting from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 5, 2017 at the Greenwood branch library. Additionally, they have an Art in the Park event (Greenwood Art Walk) scheduled for September 8 and a Picnic in the Park scheduled for September 9. For event information or to get involved, please visit: https://www.facebook.com/greenwoodlibrarypark/
The Greenwood/Phinney park project is made possible by the Seattle Park District which provided the funding to develop 14 SPR-owned sites around Seattle. Approved by Seattle voters in 2014, the Seattle Park District provides more than $47 million a year in long-term funding for Seattle Parks and Recreation including maintenance of parklands and facilities, operation of community centers and recreation programs, and development of new neighborhood parks on previously acquired sites.
For more information on the project please contact Katie Bang, Seattle Parks and Recreation, at 206-684-9286 or Katie.bang@seattle.gov or visit http://www.seattle.gov/parks/about-us/current-projects/greenwood-phinney-park-development