3 more chances to shape future of Roxhill Skatespot/Playground

| West Seattle news | West Seattle parks | Westwood

Now that Delridge Skatepark is up and running – the development spotlight turns to the next one in the wings, the “skatespot” (smaller version of a skatepark) at Roxhill Park, and concurrent playground improvements (the beloved castle, at right, is to be replaced). Here’s our report on the first public meeting; three more have just been announced (via postal-mail postcard from the Parks Department), all three at Southwest Library. The skatespot’s “schematic design” will be presented 6 pm October 12th; the playground’s “schematic design” will be presented 6 pm October 17th; and the final design presentations for both will be at one meeting, 6 pm November 14th. Project info’s here.

ZS September 26, 2011 (4:52 pm)

I say replace an old castle with a new one! Here is a great castle-themed playground in Juneau Alaska we visited last summer:

http://www.panoramio.com/photo/20735128

The kids loved it and it is the pride of the community.

Amanda September 26, 2011 (5:26 pm)

@ZS – That is AMAZING! We could only be so lucky!

Cheryl September 26, 2011 (6:11 pm)

Wow! As someone who lives at the south end of West Seattle, I WISH we could have a playscape that nice down this way… esp since my kids’ elementary school often plays at Roxhill Park. Right now, it’s primarily occupied by scumbags, foul-mouthed teens and drunks. I rarely take her there to play unless there’s a gaggle of us to chase of the scums with some semblance of authority. Le sigh… that sure is purdy. We can dream though, right?

rudy September 26, 2011 (8:26 pm)

I don’t know what type of structures you can get for what has been budgeted. However, there are two GREAT newly re-done play areas in Seattle that my kids tested this summer and both were really well done and kept us all happy for a couple hours. If you’d like to do some personal research check out the play areas at Matthews Beach and Seward Park and advocate for such well-done jobs as those two.

While Roxhill is unique and my kids really enjoy it, for me it is a bit of a parenting nightmare to play there. I have three under the age of 5 and trying to keep all three of them in sight and make sure they are safe is really hard – for that reason it is not my favorite at all….

Katy September 26, 2011 (8:59 pm)

Agree with Cheryl. I never take my daughter to Roxhill playground as it always gives me the creeps. Unfortunate, as it’s in walking distance fron our home. We just moved to the area this summer, and my husband didnt even want me walking our dog down there in the early evening! I’d love to see that park revitalized– it might spark more families to hang out there and drive out the riff raff.

Harmony September 26, 2011 (9:05 pm)

I have been taking my daughter to Roxhill since she was an infant and have never had a problem with anyone ever. She would be devastated if there was no longer such a great playground within walking distance. I am going to keep my eye on the new design.

hmmm September 26, 2011 (9:44 pm)

Please replace it, the old one is so run down, slivers in kid’s hands. And Your right too many idiots smoking pot and drinking near my kids favorite play area.

rob September 26, 2011 (10:14 pm)

people tell me of the riff raft all the time, but i’ve been taking my kids there since the oldest was a baby and i’ve never seen the riff raff. maybe i’m the riff raff?

Silly Goose September 26, 2011 (10:32 pm)

Oh it saddens me that the castle will be removed, not only is it an amazing design (that I spent many years playing on with my daughter)but I always smiled when I would re-read upon every visit the placared that stated all the non-profit service clubs that donated to the purchase and construction of the wonderful castle. Truly a wonderful sign of a caring community.

Kat in HighPoint September 27, 2011 (9:59 am)

In looking further into ZS’s link, I found the company that designed the playground. They build amazing structures all over the country. I wonder what they could do with our budget?

http://www.leathersassociates.com/

Check out Winfield, KS… Castle anyone?

http://www.leathersassociates.com/photo_gallery.php#

GMax September 27, 2011 (11:54 am)

That IS the same Playground as Juneau! Leathers make wood playgrounds and simply changes a few of the panels to give it some local charachter. Otherwise they are the same as Roxhill and as Juneau and Boston. They cost about $200k for materials, plus a $40k design fee. You can do a lot more with manufactured playgound equipment that wont rot. Check out the new playground at Lafayette Elementary to see what volunteers can accomplish. We researched them all.

Erika September 27, 2011 (5:22 pm)

What about a design that’s more open-ended to encourage creativity and exploration? Here’s a very cool playground I visited recently in Cambridge, MA:

http://www2.cambridgema.gov/cdd/cp/parks/common/index.html#photos

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