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Seattle Parks and Recreation news and events

South Park Redevelopment Project moves forward with Seattle Academy Partnership

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Seattle City Council voted today to authorize Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) to enter into a community partnership with Seattle Academy for the redevelopment of the South Park Community Center field. SPR and Seattle Academy have been working over the last year to develop a partnership with the mutual goal of providing equitable access and improved recreation facilities in South Park.

Seattle Academy will contribute $4 million to fund a full-size, multi-sport synthetic turf field with lighting at the South Park Community Center campus. Seattle Academy will have use of the field for a few hours in the afternoons, Monday through Friday, during the fall and spring sports season. This use translates to about 375 hours annually out of the 5,110 hours the field will be open to the neighborhood. SPR will take this field out of the field scheduling system for the first few years, as a pilot program, and hold the field open for local programs and drop-in by the community.

“We are to our grateful to our community partners in South Park and to the Seattle Academy for coming together to make this new field a reality,” said Jesús Aguirre, SPR Superintendent. “We will continue to work with community to ensure that the majority of hours are available to serve community need and support community programs.”

In spring 2018, SPR finalized a concept design that includes a relocated play area, a new spraypark, a new field with a circular walking trail, an outdoor fitness zone, LED lighting, ADA accessibility improvements, a sports court, an off-leash area, a renovated parking lot, and mitigation of health impacts through landscaping. The new concept design provides a safer, more accessible place for people to recreate and enjoy the outdoors.

The partnership is a critical piece of the South Park Redevelopment Project. The $4 million in funding will be combined with state and county grants, funding from the Seattle Park District Major Projects Challenge Fund and private resources that will help fund the remainder of the redevelopment plan.

For more information on this project please visit http://www.seattle.gov/parks/about-us/current-projects/south-park-community-center-site-redevelopment.

Celebrate 27 acres of new forest and wildlife habitat at Discovery Park

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Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) and our partners invite the community to celebrate the new trails and forest at the Capehart site in Discovery Park, 3801 Discovery Park Blvd., Seattle, WA 98199. Please join us on May 11, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. This is an opportunity to celebrate the partners involved in this project and all the volunteers who have invested over 6,000 hours of volunteer time and have planted tens of thousands of plants, including native ground-cover, shrubs and trees throughout the site. The community is invited to come walk the new trails, mingle in the new forest and help us cut the ribbon. Light refreshments will be served. The celebration will be in the northeast corner of the park, just off the new crosswalk across Discovery Park Blvd. This is approximately a 20-minute walk from most parking lots.

In 1958, the military housing known as Capehart was constructed on the 27-acre site. Named after Senator Homer Capehart of Indiana, who championed better housing for military families, the property was retained by the military after Discovery Park was established in 1974. In 2007, after extensive negotiations and community advocacy, the City purchased the parcel for $11.1 million. By 2010, all buildings on the site had been removed and only paved surfaces remained. With funding from the 2008 Parks and Green Spaces Levy and the Westpoint Treatment Plant mitigation funding, SPR removed the housing foundations, the road network, and other infrastructure, and regraded the property. SPR converted the property to a meadow consistent with the Discovery Park Master Plan.

Volunteers, SPR staff, non-profit and private partners, in collaboration with the Green Seattle Partnership pursued an intensive reforestation plan. Public access was restricted by the pre-existing permanent fence around the Capehart site during this work which allowed for the early establishment of a diverse forest ecosystem and wildlife sanctuary.

In 2017, The Friends of Discovery Park saw the need for official trails through the Capehart site to protect the restoration efforts and to mitigate social trails. They received a Department of Neighborhoods Neighborhood Matching Fund award for $100,000. This funding allowed for the installation of two permanent trails and zero or low maintenance, naturally appearing, barriers that will be impediments to off-trail activities. Additionally, a new cross walk was installed at the end of one trail across Discovery Park Blvd. The Seattle Parks Foundation provided an additional $155,000 in funding for this phase of work.

Work began on building two new trails through the site in the fall of 2018, followed by the construction of a new sidewalk and crosswalk at Discovery Park Blvd. The last of the fencing was removed in early April 2018 and the trails were unofficially opened to the public.

For more information about the event contact Karen O’Connor at karen.o’connor@seattle.gov or 206-233-7929.

This park transformation could not have occurred without the involvement of many partners to find out more about the partners that helped with this project visit:

Seattle Parks and Recreation invites input on concept designs for new park at 48th Ave. SW and SW Charlestown St. in West Seattle

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Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) would like to thank everyone who has participated in the process for the new park in West Seattle at 48th Ave. SW and SW Charlestown St. The design team gathered formative input from the community on three design concepts at the meeting held on April 30, 2019. For those community members who were unable to attend, we created an on-line survey, https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NQMLDZ2, to allow for greater community input. The survey is an opportunity to view the three concept designs presented at the meeting and provide feedback. The West Seattle community is encouraged to participate. The survey will close on Friday, May 24, 2019.

The information gathered from the survey will be included with previous community feedback and used by the design team to prepare a preferred design concept. SPR will host a final meeting for the project and present the preferred design concept this summer.

SPR purchased the .33-acre site at 48th Ave. SW and SW Charlestown St. in 2014 to provide the community more open space. The design of the park will incorporate accessibility features in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, and low-impact, passive recreation features with impervious surface of the park site limited to 15% or less to minimize the effect of water run-off.

This park project is made possible by the voter-approved Seattle Park District, which provides more than $47 million a year in long-term funding for SPR, 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 please visit http://www.seattle.gov/parks/about-us/current-projects/48th-and-charlestown-landbanked-site-park-development. For questions about the project please contact Ed Pottharst at 206-386-4232 or Ed.pottharst@seattle.gov.

Seattle Parks and Recreation repairs arson-damaged comfort station at Maple Leaf Park

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Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) has secured funding for an emergency public works contract to repair the comfort station at Maple Leaf Park, which was extensively damaged by arson. SPR recently completed the necessary construction documents and obtained the permits needed to move this project forward. Ohno Touchdown will begin construction work on Tuesday, May 7, 2019. We anticipate opening the comfort station by late summer.  The portable toilet will remain in place during the construction work.

This emergency project will repair the women’s side of the restroom, where the fire was concentrated, and will update it to meet Americans with Disabilities (ADA) standards. The remainder of the building will have ash/smoke/odor remediation, and the exterior of the building will be cleaned and restored.

Thanks in advance to the community for their patience and cooperation during construction. For more information on the project please visit http://www.seattle.gov/parks/find/parks/maple-leaf-reservoir-park or contact Emily Griffith at emily.griffith@seattle.gov or 206-615-0075.

Olmsted Park restoration projects selected

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Seattle Parks and Recreation is happy to announce five Olmsted sites have been selected to receive funding for improvement projects from the current Seattle Park District funding cycle.

The five sites are:

  1. Lake Washington Boulevard parks  – Colman Park
  2. Magnolia Boulevard
  3. Queen Anne Boulevard
  4. Schmitz Boulevard
  5. Hiawatha Park – North Parking

These five out of the ten historical Olmsted parks and boulevards were prioritized based on community feedback received in early 2019 as well as a set of criteria that included feasibility, equity, recent improvements, and fundraising potential.

Thank you to the over 1,300 people who participated in the online survey and helped us prioritize the ten sites (Magnolia Blvd., Queen Anne Blvd, Lake Washington Blvd. parks (Lakeview Park, Colman Park, Mount Baker Park), Hiawatha Park, Volunteer Park, Schmitz Park, Woodland Park, and Washington Park Arboretum) for funding allocation.

Seattle’s Olmsted Parks and Boulevards began as a dream the City of Seattle had in the late 1800’s for a beautiful system of landscapes among urban growth. This vision was implemented in the form of parks throughout the city designed by the Olmsted Brothers landscape architecture firm. The basis of design for these parks was to allow access to attractive open spaces to provide peace and respite for people from all walks of life.

To review the survey results and stay up to date on the projects please visit please visit http://www.seattle.gov/parks/about-us/current-projects/olmsted-parks-and-boulevards-restoration-project

Seattle Parks and Recreation invites input on concept designs for new park at 48th Ave. SW and SW Charlestown St. in West Seattle

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Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) invites the community to learn about and to help design the new park at 48th Ave. SW and SW Charlestown St. Please join SPR and Cascade Design Collaborative staff on Tuesday, April 30, 2019 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Dakota Place Park, 4304 SW Dakota St. This meeting is an opportunity for the community to meet the design team and provide feedback on three design concepts for the property located at 4801 SW Charlestown St. Seattle, WA 98116.

SPR purchased the .23-acre site at 48th Ave. SW and SW Charlestown St. in 2014 to provide the community more open space. The design of the park will incorporate community feedback from the first Open House, accessibility features in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, and low-impact, passive recreation features with impervious surface of the park site limited to 15% or less to minimize effect of water run-off.

This park project is made possible by the voter-approved Seattle Park District, which provides more than $47 million a year in long-term funding for SPR, 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 or for meeting notification translations please visit http://www.seattle.gov/parks/about-us/current-projects/48th-and-charlestown-landbanked-site-park-development. For questions about the project or if you need an interpreter or accommodations please contact Ed Pottharst at 206-386-4232 or ed.pottharst@seattle.gov.

Community invited to participate in South Park Community Center Site Redevelopment Project and enjoy free movie night

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Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) invites the community to review a detailed site wide design for the exterior park area around South Park Community Center. The new design will include play equipment designs, and spraypark and field details. Please join us on the evening of Friday, April 19, 2019 at the South Park Community Center at 8319 8th Ave. S., 98108. An Open House for reviewing and providing input on the design will be held from 5 to 6 p.m. Following this, the community is invited to a free showing of Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse at 6 p.m. Ice cream and refreshments will be provided.

This meeting is an opportunity for the community to learn about the South Park Community Center Site Redevelopment Project and provide input on specific features. In spring 2018, SPR finalized a concept design to install and relocate a play area, install a spraypark, create a full-size multi-sport synthetic turf field with a circular walking trail, and add features including an outdoor fitness zone, LED lighting, ADA accessibility, sport court, off-leash area and a renovated parking lot.

This community driven project is funded by the Seattle Park District and includes funding from the Major Projects Challenge Fund, state grants and a partnership with Seattle Academy of Arts and Sciences through the Seattle Parks Foundation. SPR hired Broadview Planning in 2017 and MIG/SvR in 2018 to lead the planning and design with an emphasis on providing strategies for mitigating negative health impacts resulting from the site’s proximity to a major transportation corridor. The project incorporates the principles of crime prevention through environmental design and a race and social justice lens with a strong focus on engaging underrepresented communities.

For more information about this project please visit http://www.seattle.gov/parks/about-us/current-projects/south-park-community-center-play-area-renovation or contact Karimah Edwards at Karimah.edwards@seattle.gov or 206-233-0063.

Don Armeni Boat Ramp Improvement closes April 11, for eel grass work

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Seattle Parks and Recreation is replacing the floating dock system and pilings at Don Armeni Boat Ramp in West Seattle. Design and permitting efforts are underway. As part of the permitting, the Department of Natural Resources requires an eel grass survey for the area impacted by the floating docks.

 This eel grass survey work will require closure of the boat ramp on April 11, 2019. During the closure, boaters will need to use an alternate launch location. The nearest City of Seattle launch location is Eddie Vine Boat Ramp on the south edge of Golden Gardens Park, 8001 Seaview Ave. NW.

 Construction is scheduled for 2020 after design and permitting is complete. The Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office Boating Facilities Grant and Seattle Parks and Recreation fund this project. 

 For additional information please visit https://www.seattle.gov/parks/find/parks/don-armeni-boat-ramp contact Garrett Farrell at 206-233-7921 or garrett.farrell@seattle.gov.

 

Seattle Parks and Recreation invites community to review designs for new park in Wedgwood neighborhood

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Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) invites the Wedgwood community to participate in the design of a new park located at 8605 35th Ave. NE. Please join SPR staff and the design consultant, Studio 41, on Wednesday, April 3, 2019 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Thornton Creek Elementary School, 7712 40th Ave. NE.

This meeting is an opportunity to review park design concepts developed from input we have received from the community. Thank you to everyone who provided input during the February Open House. We look forward to working with the community to finalize the design for the park.

After working closely with the community to identify possible new park locations, SPR purchased the .33-acre site at 8605 35th Ave. NE in 2014 to provide the neighborhood access to more open space in this urban area.

Funding for this park project is provided by the Seattle Park District. Approved by voters in 2014, the Seattle Park District provides more than $47 million a year in long-term funding to tackle the $267-million major maintenance backlog for Seattle Parks and Recreation as well as other facilities including the Aquarium and Zoo. In addition, it provides funding to improve and rehabilitate community centers, preserve the urban forest, perform day-to-day maintenance of parks and facilities, provide more recreation opportunities for people from underserved communities, provide programs for people of all ages and abilities, and acquire and develop new park land.

For more information or for meeting notification translations please visit

http://www.seattle.gov/parks/about-us/current-projects/wedgwood-landbanked-site-park-development

For questions about the project or if you need an interpreter or accommodations please contact Colin Campbell, colin.campbell@seattle.gov or 206-256-5604.

Thank you to the Wedgwood Community Council for their partnership.

 

Community invited to participate in South Park Community Center Site Redevelopment Project

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Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) invites the community to provide input on spray park features, playground equipment, cultural themes and field usability for the new site wide design at the South Park Community Center.  Please join us on Friday, March 29, 2019 from 5 to 8 p.m. at  the South Park Community Center’s multipurpose room at 8319 8th Ave. S., 98108. Children’s activities and refreshments will be provided.

This meeting is an opportunity for the community to learn about the South Park Community Center Site Redevelopment Project and provide input on specific features. In spring 2018, SPR finalized a concept design to install and relocate a play area, install a spray park, create a full-size multi-sport synthetic turf field with a circular walking trail, and add features including an outdoor fitness zone, LED lighting, ADA accessibility, sport court, off-leash area and a renovated parking lot.

This community driven project is funded by Seattle Park District and includes the Major Projects Challenge Fund, state grants and a partnership with Seattle Academy of Arts and Sciences through the Seattle Parks Foundation. SPR hired Broadview Planning in 2017 and MIG/SvR in 2018 to lead the planning and design with an emphasis on providing strategies for mitigating negative health impacts resulting from the site’s proximity to a major transportation corridor. The project incorporates the principles of crime prevention through environmental design and a race and social justice lens with a strong focus on engaging underrepresented communities.

For more information about this project please visit http://www.seattle.gov/parks/about-us/current-projects/south-park-community-center-play-area-renovation or contact Karimah Edwards at Karimah.edwards@seattle.gov or 206-233-0063.