New feature at West Seattle’s only official off-leash area

Wood chips await helping hands to move them into place for a new feature at Westcrest Park Off-Leash Area in Highland Park, West Seattle’s only official off-leash area: Westcrest steward Steve McElhenney tells WSB that this will be “a new “special needs” area of the park. I pitched my idea to Seattle Parks a few weeks ago to clear out an area right inside the offleash area north parking lot to create access for the elderly and disabled folks with dogs that had a hard time getting to the upper area.” Steve says that, thanks to Dennis Dylan and crew at the tree-service company JTS, they have lots of chips waiting to be spread – volunteers are welcome to join in and help 6-8 pm tomorrow night and 10 am-noon Saturday.

14 Replies to "New feature at West Seattle's only official off-leash area"

  • d October 7, 2009 (2:08 pm)

    Thumbs up Steve!

  • Amber at AffordableSeattle.INFO October 7, 2009 (3:30 pm)

    What a great idea! I live a block from this park and take my Min-Pin there frequently, I love any improvements, especially ones that might give greater access to the park to those who might not otherwise be able to use it.

    I am excited to see the reservoir project completed here as well. I would love to see the city’s future plans for the expanded park space.

  • lonelycrow October 7, 2009 (3:34 pm)

    Isn’t Lincoln Park an off-leash dog park?

  • BB October 7, 2009 (3:47 pm)

    NICE! Thoughtful Steve…

  • WSB October 7, 2009 (3:49 pm)

    Lonelycrow – No.

  • d October 7, 2009 (4:14 pm)

    Amber –

    The Highland Park Action Committee (HPAC) has taken action :) on the WS Reservoir. You might want to take a look at their website at highlandpk.net. A project/park committee is in the early stages of participation in the process.

    I would expect updates to be given for all interested peeps at the HPAC monthly meetings prior to the formal initial application proceedings to be made in February. An open invitation to the meeting (and potluck – these HP peeps like to have a good time!) is extended to all friendly, interested, fun and/or smart WS persons, with or without dogs btw,who are interested in HPAC’s role in the process.

  • Living in West Seattle since 1985 October 7, 2009 (5:15 pm)

    That is an AWESOME idea! Good job on making Westcrest better for everyone! (My 2 doggies LOVE it there!)

  • Living in West Seattle since 1985 October 7, 2009 (5:22 pm)

    Here is a list of the off leash parks in Seattle.

    http://www.seattle.gov/parks/offleash.asp

    Also COLA (Citizens for Off-Leash Areas) puts out a pamphlet with that list and more info in it.

    You can pick up the Cola pamphlet at any MUDBAY store.

    http://coladog.org/

  • d October 7, 2009 (5:42 pm)

    Oops – I always forget too key in the entire link. My bad.

    Anyhoo, not meaning to hijack sTeVo’s dog park improvements, but here is what I hope is the proper link to HPAC’s site. There was a “reservoir/park mini-summit this summer and you should find some info there on that. Also, WSB
    has reported on this as well, of course!

    http:/www.highlandpk.net

  • Under_Achiever October 7, 2009 (9:56 pm)

    Other than being a boss to mangy Basset Hounds sTeVo is a pretty good guy….

  • Pam October 8, 2009 (7:05 am)

    Steve,
    You never cease to amaze me as a Steward.
    You go beyond the ‘job description’ and your personal interest in regard to making Westcrest usable to all is a wonderful and caring project.
    All Westcrest dogs & Humans Thank You!
    ~Howls~
    Pam
    Cola Steward Coordinator

  • sam October 8, 2009 (8:11 am)

    Thanks Steve, for your efforts. I’m glad there are people like you around, continuing to help improve the OLA.

  • Arlene McElhenney October 8, 2009 (9:26 pm)

    Steve,
    I’m proud of the way that you are using your gifts and talents to better the community of
    ‘dog lovers’. Keep up the great work.
    MOM

  • Steph October 9, 2009 (11:53 am)

    Yay for Steve!

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