West Seattle, Washington
15 Sunday
(2014 US Army Corps of Engineers photo of failing seawall)
One of West Seattle’s favorite spots for watching everything from orcas to sunsets has construction in its future. The long-planned seawall replacement for Emma Schmitz Memorial Overlook on Beach Drive SW is getting closer, and Seattle Parks has an event planned next week for info and Q&A:
Seattle Parks and Recreation and the Army Corps of Engineers invite the community to an Open House on Tuesday, July 16, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Alki Community Center, 5817 SW Stevens St. This Open House is an opportunity for the community to learn about the Emma Schmitz Seawall Replacement project located at 4503 Beach Dr. SW in West Seattle.
The project will replace the existing 500-foot-long seawall constructed in the 1920s that has experienced significant erosion and damage from storm events. Please join us for a short presentation followed by an Open House.
The new seawall will be a “soldier pile” (system of vertical piles spaced at a regular interval with material in between to create a wall) design, built a few feet seaward and a few feet higher than the existing seawall, and equipped with safety handrails that the current seawall lacks. This design will minimize the impact on the beach, address rising seawater concerns and create better contours for the restoration landscaping on the landward portion of the overlook area. We anticipate construction in mid-2020.
The project website says this open house will include a “short presentation,” so it’s not strictly a drop-in open house.
When Sesame Street announced back in April that its 50th-anniversary tour would include a Seattle stop, the exact location was TBA. Leaders of two West Seattle neighborhood organizations have been notified that the event will be held at Lincoln Park. The Fauntleroy and Morgan Junction Community Associations have both been notified by organizers that the event is set for 9 am-3 pm on Saturday, July 27th, with setup the day before. The notification shows that it’ll be at the open field area near the north parking lot. The organizers expect 4,000 people to attend, but not all at once; the notice explains, “Please note that this is a free, ticketed event whereby guests are required to reserve a time slot in advance.” The event will include a 30-to-40-minute stage show presented multiple times as part of a “family fun festival,” according to the official announcement of Sesame Street’s visit, which also will include filming around Seattle. This is the second-to-last stop on the tour. The RSVP link from here doesn’t seem to go anywhere so we’re checking on whether that means it’s sold out.
(WSB photo, June 22)
Seattle Parks had one of the busiest booths at last month’s Morgan Junction Community Festival, showing design concepts for the park addition so you could “vote” with sticky dots. If you missed it, now you can vote online – Parks has launched an online survey with the design concepts. It will be open until July 22nd; after that, the design team will use the online and in-person feedback to develop a “preferred design” to present to the community later this year. The survey starts here.
Don’t know how long ago this appeared on the southwest side of Myrtle Reservoir Park, but Giles – who sent the photos – is the first person who mentioned it to us. It’s near similar-sized boulders lining the edge of the buried reservoir, and on its side:
Looking up that word brings us here – ” shapeshifting water spirits in Germanic mythology and folklore.” (Certainly appropriate for one to “appear” over an underground reservoir.)
4th of July aftermath reports:
GUNFIRE, NOT FIREWORKS: We heard part of this call around 1:30 am but not enough until we could confirm with police. Now we have that confirmation. Near 9th SW & SW Henderson, a report of gunfire led police to discover that “a residence was struck several times” plus shell casings were found (at least 15, according to radio communication we heard at the time) in the intersection. No injuries reported.
FAIRMOUNT PLAYGROUND RESTROOM DAMAGED: Seattle Parks has just confirmed that the damage done to the comfort-station building at Fairmount Playground was the result of fireworks. It’s closed as a result:
(WSB photo, this morning)
Parks says it will put up fencing around the building while the interior damage is repaired.
The building is just a few years old, and cost more than $325,000.
LINCOLN PARK: Toward the south end of the beach, someone blew up a trash can:
That photo came in via text this morning.
BEACH DRIVE FIRE: No structure fires in West Seattle on the 4th or so far today. “Brush fire” is the most common categorization for open-area fireworks fires and this one around 6:30 pm at Beach Drive/Jacobsen Road was the only one:
The tipster who sent the photo said it was a fireworks-sparked fire.
One of West Seattle’s smaller parks – which has an international backstory – might get some improvements. But first, a survey for you. Here’s the announcement:
The Seattle-Nantes Sister City Association is considering making some improvements to Nantes Park on Admiral Way in honor of our 40th anniversary of twinning with France in 2020. We would love to involve the neighborhood! As a start, we have created a very short, anonymous survey to solicit feedback on how people in West Seattle use the park currently and what sort of improvements might be valuable. Please help us by filling this out; there are only 8 questions. Thanks!
(WSB file photo, future park site at 48th/Charlestown)
Next step in the plan for another of West Seattle’s new parks – ice cream and design opinions! As announced by the city:
Seattle Parks and Recreation invites the community to a fun evening at 48th Ave SW and SW Charlestown St. on Tuesday, July 9, 2019 from 5 to 7 p.m. Please join us for ice cream and an opportunity to review the preferred design for the new park at 48th Ave. SW and SW Charlestown St. in West Seattle.
Community involvement has been essential in developing the new open space. SPR and the design consultant have been hard at work incorporating your input from the open house, community meeting, and on-line survey to create a preferred design for the site. We are excited to share the design with the community at this last public meeting. Please stop by to take a look and provide final design input.
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. We anticipate park construction in 2020.
Parks unveiled three “design concepts” in early May – here’s our coverage.
Seattle Parks confirms that West Seattle’s only city-run indoor pool, Southwest Pool, reopened today. It was originally scheduled to reopen right after Memorial Day after a monthlong closure to replace the pool liner, but the work took an extra month. Here’s the swimming schedule.
(FESTIVAL SCHEDULE HERE … VENDOR LIST HERE … ‘BARK OF MORGAN’ INFO HERE)
Music and more will greet you as soon as you get to the Morgan Junction Community Festival, happening until 4 pm in and around Morgan Junction Park (6413 California SW):
That's Bubbleman, watching the Endolyne Children's Choir at the Morgan Junction Community Festival. He's up at 10:45. pic.twitter.com/sMw4A0KKDA
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) June 22, 2019
As a sponsor, we’re on site for the duration, and right next to us on the north side of the park, you have the chance to talk with Seattle Parks about the future park addition:
They’re seeking opinions on proposed concept for the park, as planning/design continues. Also here on the north side, kids’ art activities. Entertainment is in the park; vendors and community organizations are just to the south, including the lot behind Zeeks Pizza and Whisky West.
More coverage to come!
11:40 AM: Bubbleman has wrapped up after delighting a park full of delighted kids:
Spotted in the crowd: One child who brought a baseball mitt to try to catch bubbles. Right after Bubbleman said bye-bye, the families streamed out here to the north side, many for the face-painting and art activities (balloon artist, too!) … some to check out the park-feedback table next door … and others are talking with Yun Pitre from the Department of Neighborhoods, who has joined their space. Also here, the SPD Mobile Precinct.
On the sidewalk nearby: Chalk art!
And in the park, the next performance is about to begin – world-beat music with Soyaya. Then in about an hour, be here with your dog(s) for the Bark of Morgan!
12:20 PM: All three City Council District 1 candidates are here, with tables between the park and Beveridge Place Pub. Phil Tavel would be here anyway, as he’s helped coordinate the festival and serves as vice president of the Morgan Community Association, which presents it:
Also here, Brendan Kolding and Lisa Herbold:
No speeches scheduled – just a chance to talk with them if you have a question, comment, etc. Two of these three will advance to the general election, depending on how the August 6th primary turns out.
Meantime, Soyaya continues to perform in the park:
And it’s lunchtime! You have multiple options. But if you go over to West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor), the fresh-grilled burger/hot dog lunch proceeds all go to support keeping the festival free!
Bark of Morgan coming up at 12:45! Bring your dog(s) to the north side of the park – look for the signs on the fence of the future park addition.
Bark of Morgan dog parade: pic.twitter.com/d2pt0y6YTz
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) June 22, 2019
1:30 PM: Above, our Twitter video of the parade as it concluded, followed by contests. Cash, for example, won “loudest bark”:
Happening now, a festival favorite – the Splatter of Morgan, on the fence around the future park addition. Paint and squirters provided!
Onstage in the park: Servants of the Rich.
Billed as Celtic folk music, Servants of the Rich has been doing a lot of U.S. oldies pic.twitter.com/HHMd2RwjCW
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) June 22, 2019
The festival continues until 4 pm.
2:49 PM: This is the quieter home stretch of the festival. The final performers are even playing under the name Quiet Heart (Gary Benson and Ariel Westfall). The banner-towing plane (not associated with the festival!) that was making passes every 15 minutes for a while is gone. Some cool art has been created:
Kids’ craft/art tables are still in action west of us; the Parks table to the east of us is gettng lots of action. The festival is volunteer-powered, and free in no small part thanks to community sponsors (including us):
Remember that supporting local community businesses often also means you’re supporting local community events and activities too.
3:06 PM: The sun finally joined the party!
Festival's final hour. pic.twitter.com/kInKf4O3IF
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) June 22, 2019
3:47 PM: Cleanup has begun. Congratulations to the Morgan Community Association on a fun 14th annual festival!
(WSB file photo, Delridge wading pool)
The city is about to start opening its wading pools! Tomorrow’s the first day in our area. From the citywide schedule, here’s the plan:
Lincoln Park Wading Pool (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)
6/22-9/2
Daily
11 am – 8 pmDelridge Playfield Wading Pool (4501 Delridge Way SW)
6/24-8/18
Mon/Tue/Sun
Noon – 6:30 pmSouth Park Playground Wading Pool (738 S. Sullivan)
6/24-8/15
Mon/Tue/Wed/Thurs
Noon – 7 pmHiawatha Playfield Wading Pool (Lander/Walnut)
6/26-8/17
Wed/Thurs/Fri/Sat
Noon – 6:30 pmE.C. Hughes Playground Wading Pool (2805 SW Holden)
6/26-8/16
Wed/Thurs/Fri
Noon – 7 pm
Important to remember – the city only opens the pools on days expected to have sunshine and temperatures of at least 70 degrees. The hotline – 206-684-7796 – is updated every morning. We also check on iffy weather days and include the information in our daily highlights list. Our area’s one city-run spraypark, at Highland Park Playground (1100 SW Cloverdale), is open every day, 11 am-8 pm, whatever the weather.
(May photo by David Hutchinson)
Almost three weeks ago, we reported on the closure of Jack Block Park‘s walking pier, following damage (above) believed to have been the result of a vessel hitting the pier. Today, Port of Seattle spokesperson Peter McGraw tells us the pier has been repaired and is open again.
(WSB file photo)
After five preseason weekends, today’s the first weekday for city-owned Colman Pool on the shore at Lincoln Park. This week is still considered “preseason,” so the schedule for noon-7 pm sessions today through Friday is a little different than the rest of the season – see it on the pool website. (The full brochure including pool fees and policies is here [PDF].)
The planned reopening of Southwest Pool – our area’s only city-run indoor pool – has been pushed back again. First it was supposed to reopen, after a month of work including getting a new liner, on May 27th; then a “partial reopening” was announced for June 12th; now the pool’s website says it won’t reopen at all until June 24th:
We promise we’re getting there! Just a couple more repairs are needed to the pool shell. We will post a grand reopening schedule by Wed., June 12. It will include a series of free drop-in swims that will take place during the first week, as a thank you for all your patience.
Outdoor Colman Pool, which has been open on weekends for a month, starts its seven-day-a-week summer operations next Saturday (June 15th) – see the schedule here.
Following up on the April briefing at the Morgan Community Association meeting (WSB coverage here), Seattle Parks announced today that your next chance for in-person feedback on the planned expansion of Morgan Junction Park is just 2 1/2 weeks away:
Please join us at the Morgan Junction Community Festival. Come find our booth to review three design options for the Morgan Junction Park expansion. We need to hear from you on what park design works best for the Morgan Junction neighborhood.
The park has been on the drawing board since the city bought and landbanked the former commercial site north of the existing park five years ago.
Story and photos by Jason Grotelueschen
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
Neighbors gathered on Thursday night to hear from the design team working on the Fairmount Playground‘s south play area renovation project, and to provide input on new play equipment that will be part of the construction happening this summer.
As we reported in mid-May, Seattle Parks opened an online survey to collect feedback – take it here – that the team will keep open until Sunday June 9th. Read more about the project here (the renovation is specifically for the Fairmount south play area, situated closest to the school and constructed in the late 1990s. The Fairmount north play area was renovated in 2010 and included the distinctive “Washington State Ferry” play structure.)
If you use the rest of the park but not the play area, some of Thursday night’s discussion might be of interest. But first:
Usually you’ll find the gear and guides of Emerald Water Anglers (WSB sponsor) at their shop in The Junction (4502 42nd SW) or out on the water somewhere. Today – until 3 pm – they’re in the park at Me-Kwa-Mooks, for the annual Fly Fest. You can try out gear and check out demos/classes – the day got going wth one geared for women:
You can also meet vendors:
And you can talk with volunteers from this year’s spotlight nonprofit, Casting for Recovery, which sends 14 breast-cancer survivors on a fly-fishing retreat every year Casting for Recovery reps tell us that women can apply for the retreat each year; so far they have 50 applicants for the fall spots, and a lottery will choose who goes. Also in the park, the biggest Guide Cookoff ever:
That’s EWA proprietor Dave McCoy explaining the rules – 11 guides had 30 minutes to prepare the kind of dish they’d cook for themselves and two clients.
This year, even a trophy! We’ll add the list of guides and dishes later (booking guided trips is something else you can do through EWA). But here’s one – salmon with strawberry cilantro salsa:
Me-Kwa-Mooks is at 4503 Beach Drive SW.
The photos are from David Hutchinson, one of several people we heard from who wondered about the signage at Jack Block Park. Since the park is owned by the Port of Seattle, we asked port spokesperson Peter McGraw about the situation. He replied: “We believe a vessel hit and damaged the pier recently. We’re hoping to have the required permitting in the next few weeks, then begin repairs and have it back open as soon as possible after that.”
We asked if they’re trying to figure out which vessel did it. McGraw says, “It will be very difficult to ascertain who exactly was responsible, unless someone witnessed it, unfortunately.”
(WSB photos)
Though the sign outside Southwest Pool still says its closure was to end today, the sign in the lobby tells a different story: Two more weeks until a “partial reopening.” The pool’s liner is being replaced, part of a package of improvements that one contractor is making at Seattle Parks pools around the city. The pool website elaborates:
The pool’s opening is further delayed due to unforseen complications. Drop-in programming will resume Wed. June 12 and the full schedule for summer resumes on June 24. All remaining spring lessons are cancelled. Accounts will be credited for the missed lessons in the near future, and affected registrants will be contacted via email addresses on file. The Teen Life Center is OPEN.
Southwest Pool also has had other recent improvements, primarily for accessibility – some are in view outside:
Those included, Parks told us recently, “accessible upgrades to parking, building entry, bathrooms, locker rooms, kitchen, and other areas of the facility.”
(File photo)
On one day each of the next two weekends – June 1st and 9th – the city is presenting Parks and Rec Fest events. Neither is in West Seattle, but both are opportunities to show Seattle Parks that you care about Alki Community Center‘s future. That’s what Mary Vigilante from the center’s Associated Recreation Council told the Alki Community Council at its May meeting. She distributed a one-sheet promoting the Parks and Rec Fest events with this message:
Dear Alki Neighbor:
In June 2023, Seattle Public Schools will rebuild Alki Elementary School, which will take 2 years. At that time Alki Community Center will be closed for the duration of the construction project. The Parks Department has made no plans yet to renovate or rebuild the Alki Community Center. Please stop by one or both of the open-house-style Parks and Rec Fests (June 1 and June 9) to encourage the Parks Department to improve Alki Community Center while it is closed. Please let the parks planners know how important the center is to you and your family and what programs you would like offered at the Alki Community Center. These meetings could determine the future of the Alki Community Center.
The June 1st event is at Green Lake Community Center; on June 9th, it’s at Yesler Terrace Park and Community Center. Both are 10 am-3 pm drop-in events; here’s the description, which indeed include a nod to the future updating of the department’s Strategic Plan.
(WSB file photo)
Saturday is the first day of the season for Seattle Parks sprayparks, including Highland Park (1100 SW Cloverdale), the only one in West Seattle:
Seattle Parks and Recreation will operate 9 sprayparks across Seattle this summer. Sprayparks open daily starting Saturday, May 25 and will operate through Sept. 2 from 11 a.m. – 8 p.m., unless thunder and lightning are present.
Wading pools don’t open for another month – you can see the full citywide schedule, including opening dates, here.
Another city-park playground renovation is in the works.
(Seattle Parks photo)
This time, it’s Fairmount Playground‘s south play area. Seattle Parks has opened a survey – take it here – and scheduled a community meeting, where you can “meet the design team and provide input on play equipment.” That’s set for 6:30 pm May 30th in the cafeteria at nearby Fairmount Park Elementary. Read more about the renovation here. (The Fairmount north play area was renovated less than a decade ago.)
One week ago, we reported on the recent community meeting showing the three design concepts (above) proposed for the future 48th SW/SW Charlestown park. Since then, Seattle Parks has launched the promised survey with one more chance for you to comment on the options, which are described in the survey introduction as:
Dog Friendly – this concept would include a fenced off-leash area for dogs, a lawn, a loop trail, and a picnic area with tables.
Community Green – this concept would include a big central lawn, a loop trail, a nature discovery trail, a dog comfort station, and a small plaza-like area with moveable tables and chairs.
Neighborhood Play – this concept would include a play area, a lawn, a nature trail, and a small plaza-like area with movable tables and chairs.
You can take the survey here; Parks says it’ll be open until May 24th.
Road-work season continues moving into high gear. At 35th/Dawson, SDOT is doing work that will get the intersection ready for signal installation later this year, and Seattle Parks says the work will block Camp Long‘s main entrance at 35th/Dawson starting this week, so you’ll need to enter from 34th/Brandon instead:
SDOT says the first phase of work at the intersection includes “curb ramps, drainage repairs, small asphalt repairs, and restriping the sidewalk.”
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