West Seattle, Washington
16 Monday
Classes, lessons, leagues … if you’re interested in programs at Seattle Parks and Recreation facilities, spring registration starts tomorrow. We’re inspired to post this reminder because we’re currently at the Park District meeting and several people at our table aren’t aware of these programs. Here’s the brochure (PDF) that lists everything that’ll be offered at local city-run community centers and Southwest Pool. If something that sounds good to you requires registration, it starts at noon tomorrow!
The six-year Seattle Park District levy expires ends its first 6-year budget cycle this year, and Parks is getting ready to propose a new one. The first of three meetings around the city is tomorrow (Monday, March 2nd) in West Seattle – 6 pm at Delridge Community Center. The question is what the money should go toward in “the next cycle.” If you’re interested in preparing for the discussion by seeing information on what’s been spent and what’s being considered – here’s 107 pages worth, as first shown at an open house last month:
(Here’s the PDF version on Parks’ website.) Of interest, toward the end, are summaries of work that Parks advisory committees have done – including the Viewpoint Advisory Committee, which we mentioned in 2018. It issued recommendations, but nothing much has happened, and the documents above say those recommendations (see page 100 in the document above) – along with those of other task forces/committees including those looking at the Olmsted Legacy – could be considered for funding. Monday’s meeting is set for 6-8 pm; Delridge Community Center is at 4501 Delridge Way SW. If you can’t be there, here’s a survey.
MONDAY NIGHT NOTE: Corrected above – what this process is about is proposing the next 6-year plan for the Park District; as approved by voters in 2014, unlike the levies that preceded it, this does NOT expire.
Story and photos by Jason Grotelueschen
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
Neighbors gathered on Thursday at Hiawatha Community Center to share feedback on options for the upcoming redesign of Hiawatha Playfield (details here).
Want to share your input? Seattle Parks has posted a short online survey to gather feedback about the three proposed design options, which will be further refined in preparation for a final “open house” design presentation in late spring.
The project, which has an $800,000 budget funded by the 2013 King County Parks Levy, involves removing the play area at the north end of the park and building a new play area near the community center in the grassy area just south of the wading pool. After designs are finalized, bidding will occur in the summer and construction will begin later this year, to be completed in 2021.
On Thursday, the latest plans were shown by Ed Pottharst from Seattle Parks and landscape architects Karen Kiest and Clara Pang.
Even before winter’s end (three and a half weeks!), it’s time to plan for summer. The city’s Summer Playground Program will include three West Seattle parks this year, and an announcement today opens the search for program providers:
Seattle Parks and Recreation is seeking individuals, groups, or organizations to provide culturally relevant, safe, active and reliable programs to the community through the Summer Playground Program. The focus of the Summer Playground Program is to provide free healthy meals, as well as fun, innovative and active programs at park sites across Seattle that will have a positive impact on the children, families, and communities of Seattle. The Summer Playground Program will run from July 6 to August 21, 2020.
The Summer Playground Expanded Recreation Program Request for Proposals (RFP) is targeted to the following SPR locations: Beacon Hill Playground, Brighton Playfield, Judkins Park and Playfield, Madrona Playground, Othello Playground, Pratt Park, Powell Barnett Park, Lakewood Playground, E.C. Hughes Playground, Highland Park, Roxhill Park, Georgetown Playfield, Little Brook Park, and Greenwood Park.
Summer Playground Expanded Recreation RFP applications can be completed and submitted at seattlepark.gosmart.org. Applications are due by Tuesday, March 31, 2020 by 11:59 p.m.
You can apply for one or multiple sites. The criteria and other info can be found here.
With so many Seattle Parks facilities and properties in West Seattle, this announcement might be of interest:
As a best practice to prevent the spread of viruses during this cold and flu season, and in response to general concerns over Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) is increasing custodial cleaning efforts at our facilities, including community centers and pools.
SPR is implementing these measures to support basic good cleaning and hygiene care at our high-traffic public facilities, and not in response to a specific exposure risk.
In addition to our already-established custodial routines, we will be implementing the following measures:
SPR will install Hand Sanitizing stations in lobby areas at our public facilities
SPR will increase the number of times that the following high-traffic areas are sanitized, with custodians sanitizing these areas three times during their shift:
-Bathroom countertops, stall handles, and flushing devices
-Entry/exit door handles and surrounding areas
-Lobby desk tops
The full Parks post also includes general advice for helping prevent viruses from spreading.
This year’s Your Voice, Your Choice cycle just got going. The city’s announcement explains:
Now’s your chance to share ideas for small-scale park and street improvements in your neighborhood during Your Voice, Your Choice 2020. Seattle Department of Neighborhoods is asking community members to democratically decide how to spend $2 million of the City’s budget on these improvements.
Until March 18, community members age 11 and up (13 and up to participate online) who live, work, go to school, receive services, or participate in activities in Seattle can submit their idea online or in-person at any Seattle Public Library branch. Projects could include park benches, trail improvements, marked crosswalks, and sidewalk repair, to name a few. The only criteria are the project ideas focus on physical improvements to Seattle’s parks or streets, benefit the public, and cost $150,000 or less.
Once ideas are submitted, volunteers are recruited to turn the ideas into 8 – 10 proposals per council district. Then this summer, everyone will have the opportunity to vote for the top projects within their district. Of the $2 million budget, approximately $185,000 is allocated to each council district. The remaining funds are allocated to projects in underrepresented communities or Equity and Environment Initiative (EEI) Focus Areas.
Share your ideas today! You can learn more about the YVYC process and how to get involved on our webpage. For questions, email shaquan.smith@seattle.gov or call 206-256-5944.
In last year’s cycle, here’s what was proposed in District 1, here’s what was voted on, and here’s what won.
West Seattle has four community centers, one teen center, and one indoor pool run by Seattle Parks, but you only have to browse one brochure to see the events, classes, and public sessions for spring/summer. Just before the holiday weekend, Parks announced the new brochure’s available – see it here (PDF). If you are interested in events/classes that require registration, here are the dates to know: Noon on March 3 is when spring registration starts; noon May 5 is whn summer signups begin.
Set your calendar for 2-6 pm Sunday, March 1st, when you’re invited to join in the fun at Puget Ridge Edible Park (5265 18th SW). From Stu Hennessey:
Hello friends and neighbors.
The dark and short days are behind us and spring will be here soon. Even though, if you have not been to PREP lately, you may be surprised at the progress made over the winter months. As usual the first Sundays of the month, March-October, we invite the greater community and PREP family to join us in a celebration of nature and our methods of permaculture techniques and learning opportunities. March is the time to really get going on the cold-loving plants before it is too warm to enjoy them. Planting beds are being prepared for direct sowing and seedling plantings. Come see how to turn “overwhelming” invasive growth into a fertile and abundant food oasis.
Two notices today from Seattle Parks, with upcoming West Seattle meetings that might interest you:
HIAWATHA PLAY AREA RELOCATION/RENOVATION: The next steps of this project‘s planning process are two meetings on Thursday, February 27th, both at Hiawatha Community Center (2700 California SW) – 11 am-12:30 pm (during tot gym) or 6:30-8 pm. Both will include the opportunity to review and comment on design options.
PARK DISTRICT LEVY PLANNING: The Parks Department Strategic Plan presentation during last month’s Morgan Community Association meeting (WSB coverage here) included a mention of a West Seattle meeting about the next six-year Park District levy – and now it’s official. As part of this online update from Parks Superintendent Jesús Aguirre, the meeting was announced for 6 pm March 2nd at Delridge Community Center (4501 Delridge Way SW). You can also offer input about the next levy via email – PDplanning@seattle.gov.
(WSB photo)
That’s the Dragonfly Pavilion in North Delridge, and it’s one of nine spots around the city on a new Seattle Parks list of locations where an incentive is offered for performance-based art – here’s the announcement:
Beginning this year, Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) is offering to waive fees for community members or groups to host performance-based art in select Seattle parks. Performances can consist of an array of styles, including theatrical, comedic, spoken word, toast masters, acoustical concert, and more.
This opportunity is open to new permittees that host their event in one of nine Seattle parks near or around the park’s amphitheater. Parks include: 6th Ave. NW Pocket Park, A.B. Ernst Park, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Civil Rights Memorial Park, Dr. Jose Rizal Park, Dragonfly Pavilion in Longfellow Creek Greenspace, Greenwood Park, Jimi Hendrix Park, Magnuson Park, and Othello Park.
Applications are based on a first come, first served basis on a rolling calendar. To qualify, applicants must be willing to meet the requirements for the fees to be waived. Requirements include the following: events must be open to the public, no amplified sound and no money collection is allowed, and selected applicants must provide event insurance, and commit to do outreach to the neighborhood where the event will take place.
Interested in applying? You can apply by visiting seattle.gov/parks/reserve/park-use-permits and downloading a Park Use Application. Application forms must be turned in to Seattle Parks and Recreation staff at the Event Scheduling Office or e-mailed to parkusepermits@seattle.gov. Approval can take 5-10 business days.
Outreach can include publication of an announcement – so if you decide to have a show there, let us know too!
(WSB photo, October)
In December, we reported on a local case that went before the city Hearing Examiner, related to the upcoming Seattle Parks project that will close the Westcrest Park Off-Leash Area for an estimated six months of drainage work. Park neighbor Inge Anderson appealed the Parks decision that an environmental-impact study wasn’t needed, saying that among other impacts, it will affect many users of West Seattle’s only off-leash area because the planned temporary replacement OLA is small. Five weeks after Anderson and Parks manager David Graves argued their respective sides before Hearing Examiner Ryan Vancil (WSB coverage here), his decision is in – read it here (PDF).
While Vancil reiterates points he noted during the December 16th hearing – such as, that appellants face a tough challenge because it’s on them to prove a city department made the wrong decision – he sided with Parks. He said Anderson “did not introduce evidence demonstrating any significant impacts that are reasonably likely to result from the proposal.” The key word there is “significant”; Vancil agreed that the plan would have some impacts, just not enough to require a full environmental study. His decision is the city’s final word on the matter, and any further challenges would have to be done in court; when we contacted Anderson to ask if she intends to do that, she said yes.
By Jason Grotelueschen
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
Back in early December, we reported on the preliminary ideas for renovating the Cottage Grove Park playground (aka Puget Boulevard Commons Park) at 5206 26th SW, to make the play area more appealing and usable for younger children.
This week, Seattle Parks project manager Pam Kliment provided an email update to neighbors who attended that December forum: The team now has a detailed plan for the park layout (see the PDF here or below), as well as an end-of-April timeframe for completion (8 weeks to get the new play equipment, then a couple of weeks to install it).
Kliment noted that some work on the project has already been done, including the removal of problematic play equipment such as “the rocker,” which was cited by neighbors as being difficult and dangerous for younger children to use.
The Cottage Grove project was chosen by the public as part of the Your Voice, Your Choice program in partnership with the Department of Neighborhoods, Department of Transportation, and Seattle Parks.
Questions about the Cottage Grove Park project can be sent to Pam Kliment at pamela.kliment@seattle.gov or 206-684-7556.
7:02 PM: A reader texted us that photo late today, saying the state Department of Ecology was investigating a reported fuel spill into Longfellow Creek at the West Seattle Golf Course. “Dead fish and odor in the creek on the 12th hole,” the text said. We contacted an Ecology spokesperson, who had not heard about it; since then, Seattle Public Utilities has tweeted, “Vandalism of an approximately 250-300-gallon gasoline storage tank has caused a fuel spill at City of Seattle’s West Seattle Golf Course. Gasoline has reached Longfellow Creek. SPU’s Spill Response team is on site and coordinating with (Ecology).” More as we get it.
7:51 PM: Just talked with the Ecology spokesperson we originally spoke with earlier, Ty Keltner, as well as with SPU spokesperson Sabrina Register. Keltner said Seattle Parks first discovered the spill early this morning, then contacted SPU, and notified Ecology this afternoon. A cleanup contractor already has been hired, they said, and they confirmed that dead fish were found and so the Department of Fish and Wildlife is involved in the investigation. Register said the cleanup and SPU personnel have booms out and will be on scene overnight; she’s not sure exactly how much got into the creek and how much of the fuel was stolen, but she says Parks recovered about 70 gallons.
9:13 PM: Our original tipster says they first reported this to Parks after noticing it while walking the golf course this morning. They shared a photo of what they described as the area where the tank is, by the golf course’s maintenance shed:
“The gas was flowing from there and then into the catch basin by the 18th tee box,” they said.
12:25 PM SATURDAY: We’re working on a detailed followup (coming up separately later this afternoon) after talking with SPU at the spill site and seeing cleanup crews at the creek. Not much additional information yet but cleanup work continues.
They still don’t know exactly how much got into the creek. pic.twitter.com/tmWqnDskAV
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) January 18, 2020
1:34 PM: Two notes for tonight, with more snow forecast (right now we’re getting a snow shower mixed with sunshine):
SEATTLE PARKS: Facilities are closing early – from the announcement:
All Seattle Parks and Recreation evening programs cancelled and recreation facilities closed after 6 p.m. today: Due to freezing temperatures, icy road conditions, and the forecast for additional snow this evening, Seattle Parks and Recreation is cancelling all evening programs after 6 p.m. today (Jan. 14) at all recreation facilities, including at community centers and pools. All recreation facilities will be closed after 6 p.m. today for the safety of community members and staff. We will assess the weather in the morning and make a determination on tomorrow’s conditions based on our Snow Procedures.
Matt Richardson from Southwest Pool tells WSB, “Participants for pre-registered programs will be issued a credit on their account for the missed class.”
SEATTLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS: The district says this announcement already has been sent to all families:
Tonight, another wave of snow and cold temperatures is projected to hit our region. Due to the forecast, the Athletic Dept., has approved cancelling ALL athletic events.
All after-school events are also cancelled, including those that don’t require transportation. Childcare providers will continue to communicate any changes in regularly scheduled hours directly to families.
The district’s Special Education Resource Fair and the Board’s Curriculum and Instruction Committee are also cancelled.
The cancellations include basketball that had been scheduled at Chief Sealth IHS.
3:10 PM: South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) advisory: “Due to inclement weather, campuses will close at 4:30 p.m. today, 1/14. All classes and activities after 4:30 p.m. are canceled.”
Thanks to Jenny for sending the photo and report: Less than a week after a driver hit and damaged the Roxhill Park swing set, it is fixed and reopened. No one was hurt in the New Year’s Day crash.
(WSB photos)
That Roxhill Park play-area swing set is damaged and taped off because of his crash. We got there just as the car was about to be towed away. Police tell us the driver went forward when she meant to go in reverse. No injuries reported.
We’ll be checking with Seattle Parks about repair plans.
(WSB photo)
Earlier this month, Seattle Parks told us the renovated E.C. Hughes Playground (2805 SW Holden) would be open by month’s end – and that’s indeed happened (as noted earlier this week by commenter Leah). Today’s announcement:
Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) is happy to announce the new play area at E.C. Hughes Playground is open. Small areas around the play area are fenced off and will be seeded in the spring when the temperatures will allow for grass establishment.
The play area renovation project provides nature-themed play structures accessible to children of all abilities, ages 2-5 and 5-12. The play area features slides, climbing structures, new swings, a large netted merry-go-round and climbing balls. Improvements to the site also include new bike racks, relocation of the kiosk, a new accessible drinking fountain, and an accessible transfer platform for the sand pit. Through this project, safety has been improved and play area accessibility has been brought into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Funding for this park project is provided by the Seattle Park District. Approved by Seattle voters in 2014, the Seattle Park District provides more than $47 million a year in long-term funding to Seattle Parks and Recreation for maintenance of parklands and facilities, operation of community centers and recreation programs, and development of new neighborhood parks on previously acquired sites.
The old play equipment had to be replaced because of termite damage found more than two years ago after similar damage shut down Lincoln Park South Play Area, where renovations are supposed to finally start next year.
From Parkways, an invitation for teenagers to apply for the “Just Cooking” program:
Youth ages 13-19 can earn a $100 stipend while learning about food-justice issues and developing foundational cooking skills in this new FREE program.
Just Cooking’s pilot program will start January 2020 and will run 4-week classes until June 2020. Classes are from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Fridays at High Point Community Center, and Saturdays at South Park Community Center.
Participants must be between 13 & 19 years old. Click here to sign up.
The new year will bring new movement classes for babies/toddlers at local Seattle Parks facilities. Here’s the announcement:
Hiawatha Community Center is so excited to broaden its dance offerings this winter! Beginning in January, we’ll have Parent and Me creative movement classes, baby ballet, and toddler dance jam. Anyone who has had their little one in class with Miss Marika knows how energetic and wonderful she is at ushering the kiddos into their first dance education experience. In addition to our Wednesday morning classes, we’ll be expanding into Monday afternoons at Dakota Place Park. Give us a call at 206.684.7441 or visit us online to sign up and make sure we’ve got enough spots filled to run all these amazing classes! Questions? E-mail Assistant Coordinator Andrea Sisco at andrea.sisco@seattle.gov
P.S. Looking for programs for other age groups? Here’s the winter brochure (PDF) for all the local city-run community centers!
(WSB photo from October, site currently planned as temporary off-leash area at Westcrest)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
It was the lowest-key proceeding we’ve ever covered in the city Hearing Examiner‘s room downtown.
On one side of the table in the windowless room on the 40th floor of the city’s Municipal Tower, West Seattleite Inge Anderson, making the case for her appeal of the “determination of non-significance” regarding the upcoming drainage work that will close West Seattle’s only off-leash area, at Westcrest Park, for up to six months.
On the other side, Seattle Parks‘ David Graves.
At the head of the table, Hearing Examiner Ryan Vancil and assistant Galen Edlund-Cho.
Under the table, Anderson’s service dog.
In the gallery, no one but your editor here. In some cases, the table is full – with lawyers and witnesses – and spectators fill the seats. Not this time.
We previewed the hearing last Sunday. Anderson contends that the city’s plan will be a hardship on the hundreds of dogs and owners who use the park each day, because Parks intends to open only a much-smaller arra of Westcrest as its replacement. But that wasn’t the only point she argued.
Vancil expects to issue a written ruling “after the holidays.” Here’s how the hearing went:
(WSB photo from October, site currently planned as temporary off-leash area at Westcrest)
A Westcrest Park neighbor who says the planned temporary replacement for the dog park is too small will argue her case downtown tomorrow.
West Seattle’s only dog park is closing for up to six months next year because of a drainage project; we first heard about it when Inge Anderson‘s appeal was mentioned at an HPAC meeting in August. At the time, as we subsequently reported, the city only planned to keep the “small/shy dog area” open during the closure, but it has since – as reported here in October – planned to cordon off some extra space north of the Westcrest P-Patch. Not big enough, Anderson says, so she continued to pursue her appeal of the Determination of Non-Significance filed by the city in relation to the drainage project. Anderson contends Seattle Parks should create a much-bigger temporary dog park with some of the space further north at Westcrest, atop the underground reservoir. When that came up at an October community meeting about the temporary dog park, a Parks rep said it wasn’t possible, but Anderson communicated separately with Seattle Public Utilities, which told her it was. (We asked Parks Friday about the discrepancy and have not yet received an answer.)
Her hearing before the city Hearing Examiner, previously set for September, is now scheduled for 9 am tomorrow in the HE’s hearing room on the 40th floor of the city Municipal Tower (700 5th Ave.). There’s not likely to be a decision immediately, as the HE usually issues a written ruling a few weeks after a hearing. The drainage project that will close the permanent off-leash area is expected to start next spring.
(May photo by David Hutchinson)
1:30 PM: Early alert from the Port of Seattle regarding the damage at Jack Block Park in West Seattle, first noted here back in May:
Starting as early as January 2, 2020, and going as late as March 6, 2020, the pier at Jack Block Park will be closed for repairs to the pier structure and hand railings.
Work will generally be Monday through Friday, starting as early as 6:00 AM and will end as late as 4:30 PM.
Visitors should expect a reduction in parking spaces near the eastern restroom building, while the ADA parking space will remain available.
The plaza will remain open, but a small portion may be used for staging. We appreciate the public’s understanding while these repairs are being completed.
3:37 PM: Since our archives showed that repairs were made in spring, we asked port spokesperson Peter McGraw for information on exactly what will happen during this closure. His reply:
In the summer of 2019 we completed interim repairs; those repairs allowed us to open the majority of the pier.
A small portion of the pier which we closed about 2-1/2years ago remains closed. That portion will be open again at the completion of the upcoming project.
The upcoming project work includes repairing additional damage from the 2019 impact event that caused the summer 2019 closure.
The project will also complete needed repairs that are simply due to age of the pier.
One of West Seattle’s play-area renovations is almost done – the one at E.C. Hughes (2805 SW Holden). Margaret emailed WSB to ask, “We are excited to see that the park looks very close to opening. Is there a grand opening planned?” As you can see in our view through the construction fence, the project indeed looks just about complete. So we took the question to Seattle Parks. The reply from spokesperson Karen O’Connor: “The project manager is working to get final items completed for this project and open to the public as soon as she can. The fencing will be down and play area open to the public by the end of the year. We will not be having a ribbon-cutting event.” The project was originally planned for construction last year; we first reported two years ago that citywide inspections following the discovery of termite damage at Lincoln Park South Play Area had discovered it at E.C. Hughes too. (As reported here last month, construction of Lincoln Park’s project has slid to next year.)
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