9:13 AM: Busy night and morning since this announcement was made at last night’s Highland Park Action Committee meeting (details on other items later) but we wanted to share before too much more time passed: Highland Park’s new spraypark (1100 SW Cloverdale) might open as soon as this weekend! The news came from Pete Spalding, the West Seattleite who chairs the Parks and Green Spaces Levy Oversight Committee. The spraypark is on the site of the former Highland Park wading pool; at one time it was proposed for a very simple spray feature, but Highland Park neighbors led by Carolyn Stauffer, now co-chair of HPAC, campaigned three years ago for a share of the levy’s first Opportunity Fund round, and the city eventually secured the funding for a more extensive project. Sprayparks are considered desirable not just because they’re fun but also because they conserve water better than wading pools and don’t require staffing. We’ll continue checking with Parks regarding the spraypark’s status for this weekend – Saturday is the date when sprayparks citywide are scheduled to start operation for the season; currently it’s forecast as cloudy and showery. (Our photo was taken through the fence after last night’s HPAC meeting.)

ADDED 10:21 AM: The spraypark area also is likely to get some money from the next round of Opportunity Fund spending. We just talked with Parks’ Rick Nishi for details of other items mentioned by Spalding at HPAC last night: The Oversight Committee is recommending funding for better pedestrian access to the spraypark/playground area, and the art project involving the small building at the site is in the plan too. Final approval will have to come from the City Council, but the committee made its recommendations at a meeting this past Monday night. Funding was freed up, Nishi explained, when a project involving improvements for Camp Long cabins had to be removed from the proposal because of logistical/bureaucratic challenges.

12:57 PM: Karen O’Connor from Parks e-mailed to say that while the spraypark is close to completion, they still need inspections that could take up to 2 weeks, so don’t get too excited yet. She adds that its dedication is likely in late July-early August, after artwork is complete at the spraypark.

What do you want Seattle Parks to be like in the future – and how do you want to pay for it? Those key questions brought dozens to Dakota Place Park last night to discuss the department’s draft Legacy Plan. As Parks’ Susanne Rockwell explained during the opening presentation, there’s much at stake:

The opening presentation was followed by 2 rounds of small-table discussions after a short presentation, each table focused on a different component of Parks’ operations/accountabilities, and that resulted in butcher-paper sheets full of ideas and suggestions:

Tonight there’s one more meeting about the draft Legacy Plan, focused on issues affecting immigrant/refugee communities, not in West Seattle but all welcome – 7 pm at South Shore K-8 School, 4800 South Henderson.

Next month, a revised draft will be circulated, and a final proposal is expected to go to elected officials before year’s end. Something to say, but couldn’t get to last night’s meeting and haven’t said it already? Say it fast – parkslegacy@seattle.gov

TUESDAY MEETING ABOUT PARK SYSTEM’S FUTURE: Tuesday night at 7 pm, you’re invited to Dakota Place to share your thoughts about the future of Seattle Parks – priorities, funding, more, as explained here. Parks Superintendent Christopher Williams talked about it at Celebrate Lincoln Park last month (here’s our story, including video), and you can see the draft Parks Legacy Plan here – but Parks would like to hear directly from as many people as possible, and with all the land and facilities it has here in West Seattle, plus more in the works, now’s the time.

DAKOTA RENTALS: While you’re at Dakota Place for the meeting, take a look around – they’re offering rental specials through the end of the year, since the facility is not completely booked with classes or other Parks events. From Tiffani Melake at Hiawatha Community Center, which runs the Dakota Place building too:

3-hour special, including booking fee, staffing, patio and exclusive use of facility! – $225

5-hour special, including booking fee, staffing, patio and exclusive use of facility! – $400

Weekday inquiries go through Hiawatha, 206-684-7441; weekend inquiries go through Parks’ event-scheduling department, 206-684-7254.

With this record-setting heat, we’ve been getting questions about when the city’s wading pools open. Schedule’s not out yet, but the short answer: Not till next month. The questions, however, inspired us to check in on the new addition to West Seattle’s outdoor aquatics scene this summer – the Highland Park Spraypark, going in at the site of the wading pool that’s hasn’t been open since 2008. Seattle Parks project manager Kelly Goold says the spraypark is currently on track for completion by the end of this month, and shared construction photos with WSB:

The top photo, he explains, “shows concrete being poured in one pad and forming for the next – concrete for this project is part of the final phase.” The second photo shows “the very cool bronze inlays that tie to the planetary theme of the spray-park.” As he notes, most of the work has been “in-ground; a lot of piping for the spray-park equipment.”

Weekend wildlife scenes to share before the week gets going at full speed! Trileigh Tucker says, “A few of us had a wonderful time watching the Lincoln Park Barred Owls! They were trying (unsuccessfully) to get away from crow harassment in the central part of the park. Here’s what was happening: (The) owl does a luxurious wing and leg stretch! Note leg stretched out vertically below:”

Next, she explains, the owl “tucks his head in his feathers for a brief rest during preening”:

From there, she explained, the crows were distracted and flew away, “I think because this guy’s mate came in.” But first, he was buzzed by other birds, including two hummingbirds, one of which you can see here:

At that point, Trileigh says, the owl flew over to drink from a stream while “still getting harassed by hummingbirds, crow, and jays, then (flew) up to join his sweetheart.”

She says it was quite the show. We wondered if there might be hope of a baby owl this year – you might remember the one Trileigh chronicled a few years back – she says it’s a little late in the season, since that baby owl (nicknamed “Wollet”) was already out and “walking” by late May, but still possible.

Did today’s summery weather put you in the mood for outdoor swimming? Less than three weeks remain before this year’s first swim sessions at Colman Pool on the Lincoln Park shore. We checked on the plan for the upcoming season after receiving that photo from photographer/pilot Long Bach Nguyen, who noticed the pool had been drained as of a few days ago. You might recall that last year’s season started late because of the $1.4 million renovation project; that work also prevented the pool from being filled with salt water from Puget Sound last year, since its new lining needed fresh water. Seattle Parks spokesperson Joelle Hammerstad tells WSB the pool was drained last week for leak repair and was then filled with water from the Sound. First day of swimming at Colman Pool is Saturday, May 25th, for the first of three “pre-season weekends” before the 7-days-a-week summer schedule begins June 15th. Here’s the schedule booklet, including information on lessons, which are already being booked.

You have about another hour to go explore and “Celebrate Lincoln Park” with the help of naturalists like Noelle, as well as artists, writers, and local volunteers like these Seal Sitters:

Events from nature walks to kids’ art projects proceeded as scheduled despite the weather’s decision to turn gray and breezy.

The Fauntleroy Community Association organized CLP as a two-part event, with today’s outdoor fun following last Tuesday’s presentations about the park’s history, wildlife, status, and more (our Tuesday coverage includes as-it-happened video of those presentations – find it here). It’s on till 2:30, at multiple locations toward the south end of the park.

Thanks to John Hinkey for the Alki photo from today’s low tide, -2 feet just before noon. This weekend, the afternoon low tides will be even lower: -2.6 at 12:43 pm on Saturday, -2.7 at 1:29 pm on Sunday. (Tomorrow, of course, Lincoln Park is the place to be before, during, and after the low-low tide – beach naturalists are part of the second installment of the Fauntleroy Community Association-presented Celebrate Lincoln Park, 10:30 am-2:30 pm tomorrow, full schedule here.)

If you’ve been to Alki Community Center, you know its lobby is a bit snug. That situation is finally about to improve, reports Liesa Rose, president of the Alki Advisory Council:

I have exciting news to share. After a 3-year effort of ideas, design, bids, and negotiations, Alki Community Center’s lobby will be expanded slightly. Construction by a Seattle Parks Dept. crew started on Tuesday 4/23. This project was my idea and supported by the Alki Advisory Council, Associated Recreation Council and the Seattle Parks Dept.

The current exterior roof overhang space will be enclosed to add about 300 square feet. We hope the community will enjoy the new space to sit, read, play games, and chat with friends.

Attached is a picture of the start of construction and 2 PDFs of the designs showing the new exterior and new interior. The entry doors will be moved to the west. Construction will be funded by the Alki Advisory Council / ARC and the Seattle Parks and Recreation Dept.

We hope this project will be finished at the end of May.

Seattle Parks and Rec Superintendent Christopher Williams returned last night to West Seattle – where he grew up – for the second time in four days, to join in on the first of two Fauntleroy Community Association-presented “Celebrate Lincoln Park” events. In case you weren’t able to be there – it included an hour of presentations about the park’s history, wildlife, and more, and we recorded it all on video. Here’s who you will see/hear:

*FCA president David Haggerty begins with a welcome
*At 3 minutes in, a history presentation from Judy Pickens
*Just after 13 minutes in, volunteer forest steward Sharon Baker from Friends of Lincoln Park
*Just after 22 minutes in, Trileigh Tucker with stories and photos of park wildlife
*39 minutes in, Superintendent Williams
*Then at about the 56-minute mark, Q/A:

As Haggerty noted at the start of his speech, FCA board members now have uniforms of sorts – green aprons, so you’ll spot them during public events such as the popular Fauntleroy Fall Festival – here are Kim Petram and Kathleen Dellplain sporting theirs:

The second “Celebrate Lincoln Park” event happens this Saturday (April 27) at the park – 10:30 am-2:30 pm, with beach naturalists on hand to help you explore a -2.6 low tide, nature tours of other parts of the park, and more, all detailed on the FCA home page.

P.S. You can also help out with the next Fauntleroy Fall Festival by dining at Endolyne Joe’s (WSB sponsor) on Tuesday, May 7th – 5 pm till close, a portion of the proceeds will benefit the festival.

ADDED WEDNESDAY NIGHT: FCA is out with the full schedule for Saturday’s event – click ahead!

10:30-2:30 ~ Beach:
Seal Sitters
• http://www.sealsitters.org
Whale Trail
• http://thewhaletrail.org
Seattle Aquarium
• http://www.seattleaquarium.org/beach-naturalist

11:00 ~ Shelter 2:
Plant walk: Sharon Baker
• Friends of Lincoln Park: http://friendsoflincolnpark.blogspot.com/
Bird walk: Mark Ahlness
Art in Nature: Denise Dahn
• Dahn Design: http://www.dahndesign.com/denises-blog/
Park maintenance: Robert Stowers and Carol Baker
Children’s activities: Seattle University Environmental Education students (leaf bingo, meet a tree, beach mosaics)
• http://www.seattleu.edu/artsci/environ/

Noon ~ Shelter 2:
Plant walk: Mark Mead
• Senior Urban Forester, Seattle Parks and Recreation
Bird walk: Mark Ahlness
Art in Nature: Cass Nevada
• http://cassnevada.com/
Photographing, Sketching and Journaling in Nature: Judy Lane, author, Keiko & the Crow
• Crooked Feather Girl Studio: http://www.crookedfeathergirlstudio.com/
Park maintenance: Robert Stowers and Carol Baker
Children’s activities: Seattle University Environmental Education students (leaf bingo, meet a tree, beach mosaics)
• http://www.seattleu.edu/artsci/environ/

1:00 ~ Shelter 2:
Plant walk: Sharon Baker
• Friends of Lincoln Park
Bird walk: Trileigh Tucker
• http://naturalpresence.wordpress.com
Writing in Nature: Lyanda Haupt , author, Crow Planet
• http://thetanglednest.com
Photographing, Sketching and Journaling in Nature: Judy Lane
• Crooked Feather Girl Studio: http://www.crookedfeathergirlstudio.com/
Park maintenance: Robert Stowers and Carol Baker
Children’s activities: Seattle University Environmental Education students (leaf bingo, meet a tree, beach mosaics)
• http://www.seattleu.edu/artsci/environ/

(WSB photos added 11:16 am: Sign posted on P-Patch shed)
Seattle Police are investigating a shed fire at Longfellow Creek P-Patch in Westwood this morning after it was determined to be arson. From Seattle Fire Department spokesperson Kyle Moore:

Fire Investigators have determined a shed fire located at a West Seattle P-Patch is an incendiary fire.

At 6:50 a.m., a delivery driver called 911 to report a shed fire located in the park in the 2400 block of SW Thistle Street. Engine 11 arrived to find a smoldering pile of combustibles in a wheelbarrow bucket.

The fire was quickly extinguished. There was also minor scorching to the shed.

The damage estimate is $500. The Seattle Police Department’s Arson Bomb Squad was notified of the fire and will investigate.

Anyone with information that can help solve this case is asked to call the Arson Hotline at 800-55-ARSON.

The garden area where this fire happened is alongside Longfellow Creek, just east of Chief Sealth International High School. According to the P-Patch’s city website, it has more than two dozen garden plots.

Currently, the two projects in our region that are on the committee’s draft list for funding (see it here) are at Camp Long and in South Park – but the committee hasn’t drawn up its final list yet, and even once it has, there’s the possibility of funding from other related sources. Ahead, the GSNC’s pitch for why it’s hoping for a show of support tonight regarding the projects in its area:

Although our projects did not make the first round of funding, there is some remaining funding available and we very much want to indicate our continued support for the two proposals below. Some of the proposals from other parts of the city have had large groups of supporters at the hearings, while our group has been very small so far. We would love to have a similarly large group to show support for our proposals. Please come support one project or both at a single meeting, your choice!

Genesee Hill Site
Your voice is needed to make the new school at Genesee Hill a green space that is welcoming to students and families in the neighborhood. The Genesee-Schmitz Neighborhood Council has requested $850,000 from the Parks Department for funds to complement the new school, to include such features as enhanced open spaces, outdoor study area, amphitheater, water feature/rain garden, student gardens, a meandering trail and preschool play area. Please come to the Parks Department Meeting at the Miller Community Center on Capitol Hill (330 19th Ave. E.) on Monday, April 22nd, 6:00 to 9:00, to show your support and to tell the Parks Dept. why the new school and neighborhood need open green space for recreation and nature.

48th & Charlestown Green Space Acquisition
You can make a difference in the neighborhood. The Parks Dept. is considering purchasing the empty lot at 48th Ave. SW & SW Charlestown Street for a future park. Please come and join members of the Genesee-Schmitz Neighborhood Council to support a new park. We need community members who care about open green spaces to come to the Parks Department Meeting at the Miller Community Center on Capitol Hill (330 19th Ave. E.) on Monday, April 22nd, 6:00 to 9:00, to show your support and to tell the Parks Dept. why the neighborhood needs open green space for recreation, gardening, and nature.

(Young female Cooper’s Hawk photographed in Lincoln Park recently by Trileigh Tucker)
Think you know everything there is to know about West Seattle’s treasured Lincoln Park? We’ll be so bold as to guarantee you’ll learn something new Tuesday night, during the Fauntleroy Community Association‘s first event in the two-part “Celebrate Lincoln Park” series. Come to The Hall at Fauntleroy (9131 California SW) to learn about its past, its future, its wildlife, and its ecological importance, via informational tables and speakers. Tables will be set up at 6:30 pm; 7-8 pm, you’ll hear from Seattle Parks Superintendent Christopher Williams, local historian Judy Pickens, Seattle University Associate Professor of Environmental Studies Trileigh Tucker, and Friends of Lincoln Park President Sharon Baker.

Then next Saturday (April 27), it’s part two – and there are new details since we first published the announcement:

Celebrate Lincoln Park, Part II on Saturday, April 27, will take advantage of a minus 2.6-foot tide to help park visitors see and learn about sea life along the beach, in the water, and in the forest. Volunteer beach naturalists and Seal Sitters, plus staff from the Seattle Aquarium, will be on hand. Local experts in birds, marine life, plants, ecology, nature photography, and art will lead nature walks and creative activities in the forested upper part of the park. Bring your binoculars, sketchbooks, pencils, etc. Special activities will be available for children. The four-hour window for participating will be 10:30 am to 2:30 pm, with walks and workshops beginning at 11:00, noon, and 1:00. All activities will start in the south part of the park. Signs and volunteers will direct visitors to activities.

For both parts of Celebrate Lincoln Park, everything is free.

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:

In June 2008 – before the Parks and Green Spaces Levy even went to Seattle voters – we noted that its West Seattle proposals included money to improve the Roxhill Park playground, which now includes a climbing dome as well as a castle:

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 McBride spoke 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 community build required a massive amount of planning and repeated calls for volunteer help. The old castle started coming down in September; its successor started going up in November.

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.

(9-year-old Brooklyn Arnold, upside down)