LAST CALL: New West Seattle Junction park – what should be part of it?

Which of those design features would you want to see in the new West Seattle Junction park? As mentioned in our coverage of last Tuesday’s Junction Neighborhood Organization meeting, they’re now part of a survey on the city website – and project manager Karimah Edwards tells WSB that the survey is closing tomorrow (Monday, September 25th), so this is your last chance to offer opinions at this stage of the project. It’s a simple survey, asking you to choose 10 of those 36 features, and asking your zip code – that’s it. Take it here. (If you stopped by the “open house” at the West Seattle Farmers’ Market two weeks ago, these are the same 36 features you were asked about there.)

So what’s next? Edwards says a meeting will be scheduled to go over “concept designs” resulting from this input: “The community will have the opportunity to select their preferred concept design during the second meeting. We anticipate mid-November.” Seattle Park District levy money – almost $2 million – is set aside for developing the park site in the 4700 block of 40th SW in 2019.

13 Replies to "LAST CALL: New West Seattle Junction park - what should be part of it?"

  • Chrisd September 24, 2017 (10:20 pm)

    Would the money be better used helping the homeless situation, since they will most likely be the inhabitants of the park? Is that 2 million just for the junction park?

  • junctioneer September 25, 2017 (10:00 am)

    Thanks for posting these opportunities for feedback. I’ve given a form of this input via the survey, and just my opinion here, but I would love to see an area of the park focused on kids. I bet we want to appeal to more than just families with children here, but, for an awesome example of this IMO, the amazing children’s playground at the Armory/monorail terminus/MoPOP makes the area such a great place to go with kids AND adults still enjoy the area. It helps it to be a destination that we can bring the family to and stay for a while, doing activities and giving the kids space to play, and eating too. The junction has all of this except a good space to play. I think it could help make the junction potentially an even more likely destination for families, too.

  • H September 25, 2017 (10:00 am)

    Done! Looks like some cool options as well.

  • JVP September 25, 2017 (10:53 am)

    We need some basketball hoops around here, maybe a small skate bowl.  Nothing much active to do around the Junction for teens – young adults – active older people who act young.

  • Frustrated September 25, 2017 (12:32 pm)

    It would be nice if we could enlarge the image.  I’ve tried via their links and am unable to.  Can’t read the choices or see exactly what is being offered.  Feeling really frustrated.  My eyesight is normal.  Can you imagine reading this if you are elderly or have a vision issue?

    • WSB September 25, 2017 (12:36 pm)

      I’m sorry, that’s the full size they sent it at, and it’s no larger on the Parks website or the survey, but let me ask the project manager if she has any larger version.

  • KBear September 25, 2017 (12:54 pm)

    #17 is a potty area for dogs, but nothing for people. That says a lot about our priorities as a society.

  • WS Guy September 25, 2017 (1:05 pm)

    I love kids and families at the Junction.  Although given the location of this parcel, it seems best for it to serve the adjacent apartments.  So I’d defer to them  

    I would love more park spaces overall, with playgrounds in the surrounding neighborhoods.  The Junction is really short on park space.

  • twicksea September 25, 2017 (1:39 pm)

    I do very much appreciate being asked for community feedback, but these images are almost impossible to view or read in the size they have presented them. Also, so many of these options depend on the programming budgets or partners who would activate them.  Bandshells, outdoor cinema, fitness class areas–those are just vehicles to deliver programs. Are there plans to do that if the community wants them? Have the neighbors any say to those uses?  We need more parks, absolutely!  But some parks are better for passive open space, others for active programming, That decision comes before deciding which “features”  we need. Btw, does this park *need* a retaining wall? If not, why are we voting on this? Seems bizarre.    

  • Seaviewer September 25, 2017 (2:10 pm)

    From a legal standpoint, this park will be a very short distance from a recreational marijuana store (Origins).  I know you can’t get a recreational license if your store would be within 1000 feet of (among other things) a park.  This park will be less than 500 feet from Origins.

    Origins is already there, so I would imagine they would be grandfathered in.  

    • WSB September 25, 2017 (2:23 pm)

      I don’t know about the current laws regarding locations. But …

      Two notes: #1, the park isn’t expected to be built/open until 2019, two years away.
      #2, the location of Origins (which per our usual disclosure, is a WSB sponsor) has an early-stage redevelopment proposal.
      http://web6.seattle.gov/DPD/PermitStatus/Project.aspx?id=3024332
      Have not talked with them yet about their future plans (early stage means construction is not likely any time soon) but worth noting, to your point.

  • Ursula September 25, 2017 (2:17 pm)

    One item I believe has been forgotten , or overlooked is that any modern park should include motion- activated security lighting.  

    My sincerest thanks for providing public commentary!

    • Tom September 29, 2017 (4:14 pm)

      @Ursula- Gotta get a spotlight on those raccoons!

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