West Seattle, Washington
04 Wednesday
(File photo, courtesy Flutes in the Forest)
Before we get to what’s up for today/tonight, here’s a “set your calendar” note – Flutes in the Forest is returning this year! Here’s the announcement we received to share with you:
FLUTES IN THE FOREST continues in 2023 with free outdoor classical music concerts. Enjoy the sounds of the JBC Rose Flute Trio on Saturday afternoon, August 19, from 2:00-3:00 pm in Schmitz Park. Jennie Goldberg, Barb Cotton, and Carolyn Hoppe-Denend will play classical music from various eras as well as arrangements of popular tunes.
Bring your own chair or blanket; stay as long as you’d like. Enter Schmitz Park off SW Admiral Way and SW Stevens Way. Walk the paved road 300 feet to the sound of flutes in the forest. Plenty of street parking along SW Stevens.
Right next to Constellation Park/Charles Richey Viewpoint is a bit of public land that’s actually separate – known as Shoreline Street End #7, technically the end of SW Spokane Street. Volunteers are invited to join in restoration work there this Saturday morning – here’s the invitation:
A community effort supported by the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) and Friends of Street Ends to restore approximately 11,000 square feet of right-of-way for shoreline access, views, and habitat: The project is located at Shoreline Street End #7, SW Spokane St, in West Seattle (3555R Beach Dr SW). The site is one of 141 Shoreline Street Ends designated by Seattle City Council.
Goals
• Improve and maintain shoreline access and views
• Enhance shoreline habitat
• Build partnerships and encourage stewardship through community partnersWork party will focus on removing invasive plants, spreading mulch, installing new plantings
Work Party Dates
August 12th, 2023 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Spokane St SWTo RSVP for Work Part!es:
seattle.gov/trees/events.html
206-615-1668 | TreeAmbassador@seattle.gov
(Westcrest Park, reader photo by Jon from May 2021)
Two long-delayed West Seattle play-area projects are another step closer to finally happening. As we reported back in June, the Lincoln Park South and Westcrest Park play-area projects, bundled together, went out to bid. Bidding closed in mid-June with three bids received, but for weeks, the next step – awarding a contract – hadn’t been taken. Finally, the city bidding site shows, last week notice was given that the city intends to award the contract to the low bidder, LW Sundstrom, which bid $1,192,820. Seattle Parks spokesperson Karen O’Connor told us that “Our best estimate at this time is that construction may start late summer. Means & methods are to be determined by the contractor, so we do not know at this time which play area will be first.” Lincoln Park South has been awaiting replacement play equipment for six years; the closed structure at Westcrest has been awaiting a replacement for two years. Our archives show LW Sundstrom’s previous projects include the High Point Play Area renovation in 2018.
We just received this report from Chelsea:
This morning between the hours of 6-10 am, my husband’s shaved-ice stand that he runs through his non-profit, Enigma ASD Services, was vandalized and demolished. The shaved-ice stand is located next to Colman Pool in Lincoln Park. The stand provides first job opportunities for people with disabilities. It has been damaged beyond being able to reopen this season.
It was undamaged when he went on his morning run at 6 this morning. We are surprised by the amount of damage considering the beach/park/path are crowded with people fishing this morning.
This is the third incident involving the stand and theft/destruction.
It is a sad day for the employees who won’t have a job to go to this afternoon and this summer.
We asked Chelsea what people could do to help. First, if you were in the park early and saw anything, this has been reported to police, though so far they just have a tracking number (T23017099) pending the official incident number. You can also donate to Enigma.
(Seattle Parks photo)
Right now, Delridge Community Center is open Mondays-Fridays, 9:30 am-6:30 pm. The city announced today that its hours will expand starting Monday, September 11th, to Mondays-Fridays, 9:30 am-9 pm, plus Saturdays, 9:30 am-6 pm. It’s one of eight community centers around the city that will get added hours with Seattle Park District funding; it’s one of West Seattle’s only two city-run community centers currently in operation, as Hiawatha CC is closed for eventual renovation and Alki CC has only been in use for child care.
(WSB file photo of Colman Pool)
If you’re thinking about swimming at Colman Pool – the city-run beachfront saltwater pool at Lincoln Park – tomorrow (Saturday, July 29th), be forewarned: It’s closing early “for a staff event,” Seattle Parks says – 3:15 pm. It’ll be back to normal hours on Sunday.
That photo of a mostly-stripped beach bench was sent by Stephanie, who told us after an Alki walk this morning: “One of the Honey Buckets is tipped over this morning. Another regular morning walker told me he saw older kids push it over then take off in a car, laughing. Two benches are also ripped up. This is around 59th and Alki.” The other “ripped up” bench was not stripped of most of its wood, but instead left with one board on the ground and two rearranged as sides of a triangle. We checked in with Seattle Parks to ask about repair plans; spokesperson Rachel Schulkin tells WSB, “We will make those repairs in the next couple weeks (hopefully less).”
That’s the tent to look for in Junction Plaza Park (42nd/Alaska) until 2 pm today if you have questions about Seattle Parks‘ list of potential future off-leash-area sites, including two in West Seattle, and/or want to offer your opinion. Easels include closeup looks at the two options in West Seattle – one south of West Seattle Stadium:
And one in Lincoln Park:
The Parks reps at the pop-up told us the online survey will be extended into mid-August – and that update will appear online this week (right now, the survey page – linked from this page – still says it closes July 31st).
Reminder – tomorrow in The Junction, you can talk with Seattle Parks reps about where you think West Seattle’s second off-leash area (aka dog park) should be. Two locations are under consideration, as first reported here last month: Upper Lincoln Park or just south of West Seattle Stadium.
So far, we haven’t heard of organized opposition to the stadium-adjacent site, but wildlife advocates have been lining up against the Lincoln Park site. Whatever you think, you’re invited to drop by Parks’ pop-up 10 am-2 pm tomorrow (Sunday, July 23rd) in The Junction. Note: The original Parks announcement said they’ll be at Junction Plaza Park (42nd/Alaska), while a subsequent reminder said the Farmers’ Market – so look there if you don’t find them in the park. If you haven’t already answered the online survey, that’s supposed to stay open through the end of this month – find the link, and details of the city’s proposals, by going here.
As first reported here one month ago, Seattle Parks is proposing two site options for a new dog park (aka Off-Leash Area) in West Seattle: Upper Lincoln Park or just south of West Seattle Stadium.
Your next chance to tell Parks which you prefer has just been announced – a pop-up 10 am-2 pm Sunday, July 23rd, at Junction Plaza Park (42nd/Alaska). They’re also continuing the online survey through the end of this month – find the link, and more information about the city’s proposals, by going here.
Quick notes from West Seattle’s southernmost “junction”:
MoCA’S NEW WEBSITE: The Morgan Community Association has relaunched its website at morganjunction.org after a hiatus. There you’ll find info about the group and upcoming Morgan-area events.
QUARTERLY MEETING NEXT WEEK: One of the events you can find out about is the quarterly MoCA meeting, set for 7 pm Wednesday, July 19th. It’ll happen online, and you’ll be able to find connection info here (as well as in our event calendar) pre-meeting. The agenda so far includes business and redevelopment updates, officer elections, and City Council candidates.
TAKEN THE PARK ADDITION SURVEY YET? Seattle Parks published a reminder today about its survey for the yet-to-be-developed addition to Morgan Junction Park. We first told you about the survey last month; it’s open until the end of the month. The park expansion was designed since four years ago, but since then, other community interest has bubbled up, particularly the desire for skating space. So the short survey asks what potential design elements you’d prioritize.
West Seattle’s Lincoln Park has more beauty than ever, thanks in part to a local student and her Eagle Scout project. The photos and report were sent by forest steward Lisa McGinty:
Last month we had the pleasure to work with a local WSHS student, Scout Troop 284 member Heidi Kestner (below, in red hat).
As her chosen Eagle Scout project, Heidi helped organize and lead 5 restoration and art events that included the painting of our new restoration toolbox located at the north parking lot entrance.
Heidi, along with other scout members, friends. and family, removed massive amounts of ivy and blackberry and helped create space for more native plants and trees.
It was a fun marathon of restoration, art and community.
Many thanks to Heidi, her family and all who came out to help!
Want to help at a future Lincoln Park restoration event? Watch this calendar (which features opportunities at other parks too).
3:58 PM: A reader suggested a reminder is in order that a swimming advisory is still in effect for the beach at Lincoln Park. We first reported last Friday that health authorities were warning of elevated bacteria levels and advising people to avoid contact with the water there. You can check its status via this map.
7:10 PM: As a commenter notes, Lincoln Park’s status has vanished from the state’s infomap in the hours since we published this. It has not been replaced by an “all clear” type of symbol, so we can’t assume that this means it’s OK now. We will check with state and county health/environmental authorities in the morning.
Thanks for the tips. We’re just back from Westcrest Park, where tow crews pulled a stolen Hyundai Elantra up from the park’s northeast slope.
Police told us the car was reported by a passerby. That happened to be Chris, who sent us this photo:
Chris reported spotting the car before 6 am: “Didn’t see any occupants but found it running and lots of windows broken. Looks like it came down from the top and crashed through the fence (and was) resting in a thicket of blackberries.” Chris also noted evidence of “donuts” in the big field on the park’s north end (atop the reservoir) – walking from the west parking lot, we noticed that too – a lot of it:
If you have any information, the SPD incident # is 23-179485.
You’ve likely heard of the Fremont Troll. Now get ready for the West Seattle Troll.
(Photos courtesy Scan Design Foundation. Above, Dambo troll installed in Dayton, Ohio)
As first reported by GeekWire, a Danish artist is going to install “six giant hand-built Nordic troll characters” around the Northwest later this summer – at sites in West Seattle, Ballard, Issaquah, Bainbridge and Vashon Islands, and Portland.
Artist Thomas Dambo has already installed ~100 trolls, made from recycled materials, around the world. (Currently he’s in New Jersey.) His Northwest project is being overseen by the Scan Design Foundation, whose announcement says Dambo’s work carries a “message of turning trash into treasure and building community through art” and will be “amplifying the network of cultural heritage between Coast Salish tribal communities and Danish and Scandinavian traditions (to reinforce) the shared values of environmental stewardship for watershed protection, restoration, and preservation of riparian habitats.” The artist is quoted as saying, “I want people to know that trash has value. My trolls do that, and also help me tell stories, like the legends I grew up with. In nature, there is no landfill. Nature is circular – everything has a meaning and everything is recycled.”
(Dambo troll installed in Breckenridge, Colorado)
So, you’re wondering, where will the West Seattle troll be? They’re not announcing specific locations yet but Seattle Parks is a “site partner” so it’ll be in a park; when the concept was circulated among neighborhood groups many months ago, Lincoln Park was mentioned as a possibility. The reveals are scheduled to happen between early August and mid-September – one per week, per the early concept discussion – and once complete, the trolls will remain in place “for at least three years.” As for “how big” is meant by “giant,” the early discussions suggested at least 20′ high. (The photos accompanying this story are three trolls installed at other sites in the U.S.)
(Dambo troll installed in Jackson Hole, Wyoming)
The regional project is titled “Northwest Trolls: Way of the Bird King” and has a website, including a list of who’s funding and sponsoring the project.
(Seattle Parks photo)
When Seattle Parks told us last month that the Hiawatha and Delridge Playfields turf-replacement projects would overlap for about six weeks, that apparently was an underestimate. Hiawatha just started two weeks ago, with a three-month estimate, and Delridge is about to start, with a four-month estimate, so the overlap with both fields closed is likely to be more like two and a half months. Parks announced today that Delridge will close starting July 1st – this Saturday. In addition to the turf replacement, Parks says, “Accessibility issues to the exterior of the restrooms will also be addressed during the closure.” According to the city website, the winning bid – $2.8 million – was by South Seattle-based Ohno-Touchdown JV.
Will skating officially be in the Morgan Junction Park expansion‘s future? Last Sunday during the Morgan Junction Community Festival, community volunteers talked about it with visitors – and hosted a Build-A-Board station. Josh Radick sent photos and tells WSB, “We were able to build and distribute 15 complete skateboards, 10 skateboard decks, and countless wheel and bearing combos to kids in the community!”
Also at the festival was Seattle Parks, talking to visitors about the site. Josh notes, “The voting on-site indicated that there is definitely an interest to have skateboarding included at Morgan Junction, along with a slew of other active space options for our community.”
Now it’s time for online opinion sampling – Parks promised to launch an online survey after the festival, and it went live at week’s end. The survey features elements from the original design from the site – and new ones like the possibility of accommodating skating – and asks you to pick three you’d like to see. Go here to answer the survey.
Meantime, the site – which previously held a mini-mart and dry cleaner – is due for soil cleanup starting later this year, and park development in 2025. As for the skating advocates, Radick tells WSB, “We hope to do more build-a-board events this summer.”
The only West Seattle park that’s home to a climbing rock is celebrating that and more today. Until 5 pm, you’re invited to Mountain Fest at Camp Long (5200 35th SW).
Not an experienced climber? No worries. They’ll show you how. If you’d rather keep your feet on the ground, there’s still lots to do. The Falconer is there – we got to see Junebug the falcon:
Kids’ craft activities are an option too:
Our preview includes the map of what’s happening where around the park.
“First in line for the Colman Pool opening!” That’s how Mike Mahanay captioned the photo he sent to us. The ducks don’t have much longer to wait, nor do you – tomorrow (Saturday, June 24th) is opening day for West Seattle’s only city-run outdoor pool. If you haven’t been there – Colman Pool is on the shore at Lincoln Park, a city-owned 82-year-old outdoor salt-water pool that’s only open in the summer. Starting tomorrow, the pool is open noon-7 pm daily through Labor Day – the online schedule shows you the specific sessions that breaks into. (See this year’s fees here.) Every year, it’s closed to the public several days for swim meets; this year, those dates are July 6-8 and July 14-15.
P.S. Tomorrow is also the start of wading-pool season – first to open in West Seattle will be the Lincoln Park wading pool, 12-7 pm daily starting Saturday, also through Labor Day.
Before we get to the list of what’s up today/tonight, we have new details of one of Saturday’s coolest events – it’ll be like going to the mountains without leaving West Seattle! Camp Long (5200 35th SW) is presenting Mountain Fest all day, and shared this preview (with photos):
Join us this Saturday, June 24th for Mountain Fest at Camp Long! This is our annual celebration of all the things that make Camp Long the hidden gem it is and more!
We will have lots for you to do including old favorites like our rock climbing, naturalist programs and the high ropes course along with other organizations sponsoring events like bouldering on the north rock tower by Vertical World and rappelling down the Glacier by Mountain Madness, The Falconer, a smores station by the Girl Scouts, and even more!
We will have activities for all ages and everything is free! Some activities require waivers and registration at the main booth in the center of the field.
The event will run from 11 am to 5 pm with some activities starting/finishing at various times within that window but come out and enjoy our lovely park and all that it has to offer! We look forward to seeing you.
If you haven’t been to Camp Long, you might wonder, why Mountain Fest? Its famous Schurman Rock is one big reason.
Thanks to Forest for the update that the Hiawatha Playfield turf-replacement project has accelerated in the past few days, with part of the old turf already removed and rolled up. We went back over this evening for these photos.
Seattle Parks has said the work will take about three months.
2:20 PM: Last week, Seattle Parks said work would finally begin today on the turf-replacement project at Hiawatha Playfield, so we went over to see whether that had indeed happened. The photo above is what we found – no sign of anything yet, and the field remains wide open. FieldTurf USA won the contract with a $1.4 million bid after the city had scratched the first round of bids (which the same company won for a similar price). Parks says the work should be complete in September – assuming it does start soon. Meantime, the Hiawatha Community Center and Play Area projects have yet to go out to bid, so construction is still a ways off. (Parks says the Hiawatha wading pool WILL be open this year, though – first day June 29.)
4:28 PM: Commenter Junctioneer says a segment of fencing at the field’s south end is new. We’ll be checking back tomorrow to see if we find crews there then.
11:18 AM: Seattle Parks has unveiled its whittled-down list of potential sites for new dog parks around the city. They have funding to design and build two – and to design a third; funding stipulates that one of the two has to be in West Seattle, which has only one off-leash area, at Westcrest Park in the southeast corner of the peninsula. The citywide list was presented last night to the Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners. We watched the meeting, which was held at Parks HQ downtown and streamed online. This item started at about 1:20 into the meeting:
The Parks project team explained that the nine “preferred” sites citywide were from the original list of 30. One of the criteria to make the final cut: They needed to be sites already owned by the city. Here are the two in West Seattle:
Upper Lincoln Park – This site is a grassy area south of the sports field. Parks staff noted that the grass is worn in the area and that suggests to them that the area is already being used as an unofficial dog park. Here’s what was shown at the meeting:
West Seattle Stadium – This site is actually south of the stadium, west of the golf course, and downhill/east of Rotary Viewpoint Park. Parks staff noted that one big challenge would be parking, as the stadium/golf course lot fills up during event times. Here’s what was shown at the meeting:
(More than a decade ago, at least part of that site was proposed for a driving range, ultimately scrapped.)
As noted on the Parks website, the department also studied proposed sites at Me-Kwa-Mooks, Hamilton Viewpoint, and Delridge Community Center (we first reported the study sites in March; most had been suggested by community members). The briefing was relatively short, as they went quickly through the full list of nine sites. Next step is an online survey that’s supposed to start today – we’ll add the link here when available.
11:51 AM: Here’s the survey link.
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