New Fairmount Playfield restrooms finally about to be built

More changes ahead for Fairmount Playfield – just in the past few months, there’s a new gravel path on the south side to lead from Fauntleroy Way to reopened Fairmount Park Elementary, and then came the removal of the remaining street trees (reported and explained here last month). Now, construction is finally about to start on the new restroom building. It’s been three years since we mentioned the plan to replace it, using money from the 2008 Parks and Green Spaces Levy. This afternoon, Parks sent the announcement:

Seattle Parks and Recreation is replacing the comfort station at Fairmount Playfield (5400 Fauntleroy Way SW). The new comfort station will meet Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards and provide upgraded amenities.

Seattle Parks will demolish the existing comfort station in late September 2014. Parks is providing two porta-potties during the closure. The new comfort station will be installed and opened in February 2015. Parks will work to minimize construction impacts that may include truck traffic and construction noise.

The 2008 Parks and Green Spaces levy allocates $200,000 for planning, design and construction. The Oversight Committee recommended levy inflation funding be allocated to much needed major maintenance projects such as this replacement.

old timer September 10, 2014 (6:44 pm)

Why did they remove all the trees that used to line Fauntleroy alongside this park?

WSB September 10, 2014 (7:05 pm)

OT, the link at the bottom of this story is our story explaining it. In short, they’d been dropping limbs over the years and were not considered to be safe, especially considering the south end of the street frontage is now a school-bus zone.

RB September 11, 2014 (4:51 am)

FYI… The new pathway from Fauntleroy Way to the elementary school is now paved (blacktop). I was just walking on it yesterday. :) Now, if only we could get some enforcement of the LEASH LAW in the Fairmount Playfield. Too many folks are completely ignoring all the posted signs and treating the area as their own personal off-leash dog park. It’s so frustrating for those of us who follow the law and keep our dogs leashed, to have other people’s loose dogs constantly being aggressive, charging at us and creating a safety hazard. I suppose it’s just a matter of time before somebody’s child is attacked and injured by one of those unleashed dogs.

Timothy September 11, 2014 (6:02 am)

Without the trees, the wall of traffic noise and lack of shade make Fairmount unbearable as a playfield.

On Sunday, September 21, WSUFF – West Seattle Ultimate Family Frisbee will move to High Point Playfield at 11:00 am weekly on Sundays.

We look forward to large tree replacement at Fairmount at the required City code replacement ratio of 2 or 3 trees for each one logged.

Rumbles September 11, 2014 (7:35 am)

You can contact the Parks Department about off leash dogs at PKS_Info@seattle.gov or call them.

Moldy September 11, 2014 (9:11 am)

I’ll miss the iconic mural. Perhaps it can be recreated.

Fairmont as a playfield really needs some love. It’s a difficult soccer pitch/playfield due to the drainage issues and is closed often due to mud.

It’d probably serve the community better as a dog park if the issues aren’t addressed. In the meantime, it is a playfield and dogs need to be leashed and picked up after.

With the school sharing the same playfield with the public, dog owners really need to pick up after Fido and keep him on a leash. I agree with @RB, probably a matter of time before there’s some off-leash dog incident.

Sorry, comment time is over.