As we wrap up at the Viaduct briefing downtown (check out our live-blog notes in previous post; full summary later), here are two West Seattle items just in from the city Parks Department – more money for Morgan Junction’s park, which had been described at the last public meeting as in need of more $ for the favored design, plus a delay in construction of the Hiawatha Playfield improvements:

First, Morgan Junction park money:

Seattle Parksand Recreation has identified $90,000 from the Pro Parks
Levy Neighborhood Development Projects contingency fund to complete
development of Morgan JunctionPark.

This project develops the property on California Avenue SW, north of SW
Eddy St., into a park. The design incorporates ideas and suggestions
made by community members at meetings held in the planning process for
this space. The new park provides for community gathering space and
family activities. The design features a blend of hardscape, compacted
crushed stone, grass, low landscaped edges, trees, and seating.

Approved by Seattlevoters in 2000, the $198.2 million Pro Parks Levy
funds more than 100 projects throughout the City over eight years.
Projects include improvements to athletic fields, playgrounds, trails
and community centers and parks. Funding also increases green spaces,
supports Zoo programs and enhances park maintenance.

For more information, please call Virginia Hassinger, Project Planner,
at 206 233-7936; e-mail her at Virgina.hassinger.seattle.gov (
mailto:Patrick.donohue@seattle.gov ), or visit the website at
http://www.cityofseattle.net/parks/proparks/Projects/morgan.htm.

And now, re: Hiawatha:

Seattle Parksand Recreation announced that construction on Hiawatha
Playfield will be delayed for several months as Parks and Seattle Public
Schools finalize the Memorandum of Agreement that establishes the terms
of a $1 million contribution from Seattle Public Schools.

Approval is needed from the Seattle School Board, who will vote on the
issue in August. Upon approval, Parks will advertise for bids
immediately. Construction is scheduled to start in October 2008, and the
renovation will be complete in March 2009.

The funding, from Parks major maintenance funds, SeattleSchool
District, and KingCounty, provides $3.6 million for planning, design,
and construction of the sportsfield improvements.