Delridge Skatepark gets thumbs-up from Design Commission

We’re at City Hall downtown, where the Seattle Design Commission has just reviewed the Delridge Skatepark project for the second time, and has given its final blessing to the skatepark’s design. “Good luck!” chair Mary Johnston said to Parks Department project manager Kelly Davidson, after the unanimous vote. Commissioners had just a few lingering concerns they recommend Davidson and the designers, West Seattle-based Grindline, address – in particular, to make sure there’s maximum functionality for an element between the skatepark and the nearby wading pool, considered as a barrier to keep little kids from bolting across the 25 feet and into the skate bowl – not just a wall. A few other tidbits: Davidson says there’s no final decision on whether to have gravel paths around the skatepark, but suspects that will be the final decision because of cost concerns (the commission remains concerned about the gravel getting “onto the skating surface” and is urging Parks to look at a “different pervious” material) … Davidson mentioned that the community-powered art project to accompany the skatepark has three muralists assigned to it, which one commissioner thought might not be optimal since the project has few planned elements suitable to that kind of painting. (The community group working on the art project is meeting tomorrow night, Davidson mentioned, to continue discussing details.) She also was urged to consider adding a bike rack, and also to keep in mind that it will be optimal if people waiting for buses along Delridge will be able to watch the skaters (provided there’s no blockage from trees, since none are to be removed as part of the project). The $750,000, 12,500-sf skatepark at the northeast corner of the Delridge Community Center park site is expected to break ground this summer and be done by fall.

4 Replies to "Delridge Skatepark gets thumbs-up from Design Commission"

  • Mike D. March 4, 2010 (8:04 pm)

    Second best news I heard today! Looking forward to seeing this thing come out of the ground and be built. Thanks to all those who have worked to make this a reality.

  • JunctionSkater March 4, 2010 (8:40 pm)

    This is gonna be awesome!!! Thanks to all involved, I really appreciate the hard work and follow-through to make this dream a reality!

  • MLJ March 5, 2010 (10:41 am)

    Anyone that’s skated at Lower Woodland knows that laying gravel around a skatepark is an ill-advised, and ultimately dangerous solution.

    The design commission was right on.

  • Jamie March 5, 2010 (2:04 pm)

    Right on! I cant wait to take my lil dude to the park =) He’s only 3 right now but he wants to get on a board SOOOOOO bad! But we live on a main drag so this will be great for him so he can watch all the BIG kids ride their board =)And get all those crazy tricks

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