Story by Tracy Record, West Seattle Blog editor
Kids-at-play photos by Nick Adams, WSB contributing photojournalist
Stage/podium photos/video by Patrick Sand, WSB co-publisher
Today’s celebration at Roxhill Park, formally opening its renovated play area and brand-new skatepark, was a blossom that’s been budding for five long years, though that’s all ancient history to those who couldn’t wait to get their hands (and feet) on it today:
But as city leaders noted in paying tribute to the community effort that followed, it became so much more than what was originally envisioned: A splendid new community-built “castle” to replace the beloved-but-deteriorating one that another group of neighbors had put up in the ’90s; a skatepark for the south end of West Seattle, to complement the year-and-a-half-old predecessor in North Delridge – a skatepark that today drew 5-year-old Merek Jackson, who’s been skating for a year and a half, according to his dad:
Merek was a toddler when this all started to take shape through community discussions – starting with an August 2011 meeting to talk about both the skatepark and playground, including some angst about losing the old castle, continuing afterward with separate meetings.
By the end of 2011, the concept of a new castle, community-built as specified by Leathers and Associates – which also created the old one – had taken shape; community advocate Mat McBridespoke in a comment here about the person-power that would be needed. Today, he stood at the podium and recounted with pride how the new castle became reality.
The process – the hard work, the fun, the accomplishment, the donations, the volunteers – was part of what was recounted at today’s ceremony; here it is in its entirety, 24 minutes ending with the ribboncutting:
Also praised today, the special touch that evolved after the castle construction began: The ceramic turret art by Mike Henderson. “Nothing like that in the city,” as praised during today’s event. Henderson spoke with pride about most of the tiles having been salvaged from “a Dumpster.”
And did we mention the extra grant from the Department of Neighborhoods, and the synergy with the West Seattle Tool Library, whose red mobile unit was visible at the site throughout, and which benefited from grant-bought tools afterward? “The spirit of sustainability” was how City Councilmember Sally Bagshaw, who chairs the Parks and Neighborhoods Committee, phrased it. She also declared, “There is nothing (in the city) like this Castle Park you have built.” Like the old castle, it has many facets to be discovered – including a tube slide:
Parks Superintendent Christopher Williams gushed warm words too, including reminiscing about Roxhill Park visits during his senior year at blocks-away Chief Sealth. He mentioned Parks’ commitment to taking care of the new features, noting a rapid response to a recent round of graffiti/tagging vandalism at the park’s comfort station, just south of the play area. And those features are many:
“What else would you like in West Seattle?” asked Councilmember Bagshaw, pointing out that the Parks and Green Spaces levy expires this year.
She and others are putting together a potential replacement – though she also reiterated what’s already been said, that this one will make more than a gesture toward funding park maintenance, currently sorely underfunded, so that existing parks can stay open for future super-users like 21-month-old Hershel Robinson:
As the Roxhill team – volunteers and Parks project managers (Kelly Goold succeeded Kelly Davidson) showed the rest of the city, you might as well dream big – but be ready to put your skin in the game, too. That’s what made it possible for a whole new generation of West Seattle kids to enjoy Roxhill …
… and, like Angie Hardy‘s 5-year-old son Elliott, generate a whole new generation of smiles.
Roxhill Skatepark and Playground face 29th SW, just south of SW Barton, across from the southwest edge of Westwood Village.
190 sales ready to go so far for West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day, Saturday, May 11th, 9 am-3 pm … and no matter where you are, you will probably find yourself within walking distance of at least a few sales! Just sifted through the registrations we have so far, and it’s another spectacular lineup – 20 schools, organizations, and businesses already, including the two group sites at Hotwire Online Coffeehouse and C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsors). Neighborhoods with sales so far include Admiral, Alki, Arbor Heights, the Arroyos, Beach Drive, Belvidere, Fairmount, Fairmount Springs, Fauntleroy, Gatewood, Genesee, Harbor Drive, Highland Park, High Point, the Junction, Luna Park, Marine View Drive, Morgan Junction, North Admiral, North Delridge, Puget Ridge, Seaview, South Admiral, Sunrise Heights, the Triangle, Westwood … If you’re planning on a sale, you have until this Wednesday to register, here. And watch for updates here, on the official WSCGSD site, and on the WSCGSD Facebook page.
The West Seattle Thriftway silver-anniversary shopping-spree raffle became a double gift to the West Seattle Food Bank. Not only did the store donate the $2,200 in ticket sales, the man whose ticket was drawn for the spree donated most of his take, too. Rob Dent managed to load up with $425 worth of Western Family products during his 4-minute spree this morning – here’s a bit of video as he went after the frozen food:
Before his four-minute spree, Rob got to go through the store with assistant manager Steve Kamphaus:
Rob sought out some specific items the Food Bank needed, after conferring with them to see what was most in demand – those items included bags of sugar; note them on the checkout counter here:
Of the few things he kept … one was a new stuffed friend for his daughter Sofia, who was guarding it closely while in the arms of mom Naomi:
P.S. In addition to food and money donations like today’s double gift – which counts extra since the Feinstein Challenge is still on till month’s end – Food Bank executive director Fran Yeatts (in the group photo, helping hold the check, along with board members and Thriftway team members) tells us they need VOLUNTEER HELP! Here’s how (and when) you can get involved.
More than 40 of your friendly neighborhood Junction merchants have smiles and deals for you today – the West Seattle Junction Association‘s annual 10-percent-off “Tax-Free Day.” For example – in the mood for flowers, or indoor-garden items? Go see proprietor Sam and assistant Devon at Fleurt (4536 California SW; WSB sponsor). As mentioned here on Friday, Fleurt is celebrating Earth Day this weekend too; bring in a planter or vase to recycle and you’ll get a mini-plant in exchange. Across the street, we stopped by Jan’s Beauty Supply:
Alissa, Sheri, and Melanie are there to help you have a beautiful Tax-Free Day – Jan’s merchandise includes jewelry and other items beyond their many lines of personal-care products. Head for The Junction, look for red balloons outside participants’ storefronts (they’re listed here too), and have fun while supporting your local independent businesses (including some food/drink establishments with deals, too).
Coast to coast, it’s Record Store Day. Above, we found Seamus Dolan at West Seattle’s Easy Street Records, explaining that while its Queen Anne sister store is gone, it’s not forgotten – he is making and selling record crates made from its old fixtures (as explained on the official ESR Record Store Day preview). Inside Easy Street, lots of music fans:
While we were there, people weren’t just lined up for the only-on-RSD specials, they also were lined up for autographs during a one-hour Mad Season signing session this morning with Mike McCready and Barrett Martin:
More than half a million classrooms around the country are reading about West Seattle’s seal pups and young Seal Sittersvolunteers who help watch out for them. They’re the cover story of the Earth Day edition of Scholastic News, as Seal Sitters‘ Robin Lindseyreports on Blubberblog. As she points out, Seal Sitters is “one of the few marine-mammal stranding networks that encourage children to join …”; a third-grader volunteer named Noemi is shown in the Scholastic News story. Robin tells WSB, “Noemi and our kid Seal Sitters inspire us all!” (To find out how to volunteer – and how to reach Seal Sitters if you spot a marine mammal on a local beach – go here.)
(Photo by Val, from Roxhill playground’s “soft open” Tuesday)
Another day/night with lots of options – highlights from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar include these (and follow that link to the calendar for even more):
DAKOTA PLACE PARK CLEANUP: Rain or shine, 9 am-noon, California/Dakota. What should you bring? Details here.
JUNCTION TAX-FREE DAY: Support your friendly neighborhood independent local businesses – more than 40 places to find a discount and/or deal starting at 10 am today – look for merchants sporting one or more red balloons outside! Or – check the list here on the West Seattle Junction Association website, to see who’s picking up the tax bill with a 10 percent discount and who’s offering specials (including food and drink).
RECORD-STORE DAY: It’s the national day to celebrate independent record stores – and West Seattle is home to the legendary Easy Street Records, which has deals and sales planned throughout the day – check them out here.
DUWAMISH ALIVE! Work parties from Pigeon Point Park to Tukwila, 10 am-2 pm, as part of the twice-yearly event to care for the Duwamish River and its watershed. Here’s the map:
Events include a noon program at Herring’s House Park/T-107 in West Seattle, with speakers to include Duwamish Tribe chair Cecile Hansen.
LINCOLN PARK BEACH CLEANUP: Puget Sound’s shore needs some TLC too, and this work party is planned to help with that, 10 am-12:30 pm – details here.
SHOPPING-SPREE WINNER GOES FOR IT: Be at West Seattle Thriftway (California/Fauntleroy/Morgan; WSB sponsor) at 10 am to cheer for Rob Dent, who won the big prize Thriftway gave away as part of its 25th anniversary celebration raffle to raise money for the West Seattle Food Bank, a four-minute, up-to-$500 Western Family shopping spree. More info in our preview.
ROXHILL CASTLE, SKATEPARK DEDICATION: 11 am-2 pm, join the party at Roxhill Park (29th/Barton), as the newly renovated playground and newly built skatepark are both dedicated and formally opened. Ceremony at 12:30 pm, but lots of other fun before and after, as explained by Seattle Parks and Rec here.
YOUTH CELEBRATION: For teens and tweens, at Southwest Teen Life Center, noon-4 pm – details here.
TRIVIA CRAWL: Starting at 3 pm, in The Admiral District – details here (including how to sign up).
ART EHRMANN CANCER BENEFIT @ EAGLES: 4th annual fundraising event, with dinner, music, and an auction, and the public is welcome to come help raise money to fight cancer, 5:30 pm at the West Seattle Eagles‘ HQ in The Junction – details on this flyer, via Facebook.
SEATTLE RAINMAKERS’ DEBUT: West Seattle is now home to the Seattle Rainmakers professional Ultimate (Frisbee) team, with the season’s first home game tonight at 7 at Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle) – details here.
‘CHARLIE BROWN’: Second-to-last show for Twelfth Night Productions‘ “You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown” at 7:30 tonight:
Preschool options in West Seattle include community-center-based programs, like the one Wendy wants you to know about:
Bright Beginnings Preschool is operated by the Associated Recreational Council in partnership with the Seattle Parks and Recreation. We are located in the Hiawatha Community Center and serve children ages 3 through 5 years of age, with a teacher-child ratio of 1:8. We provide a safe, happy, healthy, learning environment that fosters a love of learning for all the children in the program. Our program meets the developmental needs of young children, focusing on emotional, social, physical, and cognitive skills. The children in the program are provided with rich environments with fun-filled learning areas, consistent schedules and routines, large and small group times, and outdoor play.
Bright Beginnings Preschool is currently accepting enrollment for the Fall 2013/2014 school year. Please contact the Preschool Director with any questions, or to set up a tour of the program – 206-321-3187 or wendy.westover@seattle.gov.
190 sales ready to go so far for 
volunteers who help watch out for them. They’re 
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