In photojournalist Nick Adams‘ video updating the volunteer construction under way for Roxhill Castle, the voice you hear is that of Mat McBride, a longtime community advocate who has been the volunteer ringleader for the effort to get the play structure built. This afternoon will mark the midway point of the five-day build, whose roots go back more than 4 years, to the project list for the Parks and Green Spaces Levy, which included money for renovating Roxhill Playground. Now, the actual construction of the new Roxhill Castle is here, powered by hundreds of volunteers.
It’s also powered by tools from the West Seattle Tool Library:
See more of how Roxhill Castle is rising, in 15 photos ahead:
Some have come from outside West Seattle, like Donna Hartmann-Miller from North Seattle:
Lashanna Williams came from South Park:
But it doesn’t really matter where you’re from – right now, it’s teamwork to make sure area kids – and visitors – have a place to play again. Kids like 4-year-old Sarah Deppe:
Saturday’s volunteers also included Seanix Zenobia:
Along with wielding the tools, you have to know how to keep them running. Jesse Ballentine was pointing out where to get a replacement battery for a drill:
Unwrapping more of the components were Rebecca Duke and Casey Margell:
Many hands make light work, it is said, even in an extensive project like this:
It’s an echo of the mid-’90s, when the previous Roxhill Castle, designed by the same company – Leathers and Associates – also was put up as a community effort:
Cooperation matters to every inch of the project:
And consultation (that’s volunteer Mike at right):
The overall site plan is attached to a fence at the site – the playground is south of where Roxhill Skatespot is being built by Grindline, even as this proceeds.
Grindline’s contract with Seattle Parks covered preparation of the playground site before the community build, making way for volunteers like Nico Lovejoy:
And Sabara Oehlschlaeger-Browne:
And Rod Read:
And, below right, Tara Baron:
… and so many others. You can join them today, tomorrow, or Tuesday – just head over to the site, along 29th SW just south of Barton, across the street from the south side of Westwood Village.
| 8 COMMENTS