UPDATE: Vote on what you want to see at new West Seattle Junction park

12:01 PM: At the south end of the West Seattle Farmers’ Market, until 2 pm, it’s the Seattle Parks “open house” for the future two-thirds-of-an-acre park that’ll be three blocks away, in the 4700 block of 40th SW [map]. Stop by and you’ll get the chance to “vote” on which of more than 30 “design elements” you’d like to see at the park – they’re on paper ballots being handed out, and on one of the easels:

That’s project manager Karimah Edwards at left in the photo above. The “design elements” aren’t on the project website yet, but we’re told they will be soon. The park site was purchased for $1.4 million in 2012 and “landbanked”; until recently, it was home to temporary Fire Station 32 while the new station was under construction. Almost $2 million for design and development was set aside from the Park District levy; the park is to be designed next year, and built in 2019.

ADDED 2:20 PM: Your next chance to talk about the future park will be at the Junction Neighborhood Organization‘s upcoming meeting, 6:30 pm September 19th at the Senior Center/Sisson Building (4217 SW Oregon) – Parks’ project team is scheduled to be there.

Elle Nell September 10, 2017 (12:48 pm)

It would be nice if they had an online voting option for those not able to make it down to FM today… do you happen to know how long voting will be open and maybe other locations…? Or are they just catering to the folks at the market?

WSB September 10, 2017 (1:51 pm)

It’s not “catering.” The city is trying a variety of ways to reach people beyond the classic “public meetings” and since the park and the market are in The Junction, I guess they thought this was worth a try. Was certainly drawing lots of interest! Anyway, we’ve mentioned this a couple times but there’s a survey on the project page now and the Parks person with whom I spoke said they will have another one that includes these particular elements. But answer the first one – which is really short and more or less open-ended if I recall correctly (I can’t see it now since it’s one of those surveys that only allows you to access it once) – look for the link on this page:

http://www.seattle.gov/parks/about-us/current-projects/west-seattle-junction-park-development

Also -I will add this to the story – the Parks project team are on the agenda for the next Junction Neighborhood Organization meeting, 6:30 pm at the Senior Center/Sisson Building on Tuesday, September 19th, so that’s another chance to speak up.

Tracy
- Elle Nell September 10, 2017 (4:50 pm)
  
  Thanks Tracy

NW September 10, 2017 (2:45 pm)

Prior to the fire station being there I recall this area being used for years by Huling Brothers auto dealership they parked cars there. Hope it’s benefits the community as a park the Dakota Place park half mile to the north is a nice addition to the area.

Scarlett September 10, 2017 (4:55 pm)

All public parks need pubic restrooms. This one is not scheduled to have one. Everyone needs to pee. That is preposterous. For a million plus dollars they can certainly afford this amenity.

NW September 10, 2017 (5:10 pm)

Great suggestion!!
wgavots September 10, 2017 (9:08 pm)

Pocket parks (such as the one at 42nd and Alaska), normally are not required to have any restrooms.

Junction Lady September 10, 2017 (10:55 pm)

I think it would be lovely to have a natural water feature to drown out street noise while you’re in the park. A maintained garden with local plants (labeled). Drinking water/water bottle filler fountain. Shade tree. Stroller/wheelchair friendly path. Whimsical art by local artist.

JVP September 11, 2017 (10:03 am)

I’d love to see something more active and urban. Active uses to keep the park busy and make it feel safer. Basketball hoops, or in my wildest dreams a small skate bowl for the kids.

As to the above suggestion about bathrooms, public restrooms in the city don’t work. They just turn into a private place for the junkies to shoot up.

Conjunction Junction September 11, 2017 (11:32 am)

We went through this process for Ercolini Park and it turned out really well, I appreciated it. The issue with the bathrooms is ongoing. Ercolini had to eventually place a port-a-potty (years ago) after I called because the preschoolers were peeing on the bushes, but it seemed to be an okay solution, even if its only part of the year.

Conjunction Junction September 11, 2017 (12:47 pm)

Clarification, it seemed okay to have a temp potty, not peeing in the bushes LOL.

Ohplease September 11, 2017 (12:39 pm)

These are all very nice ideas!

unfortunately, this will most likely become a fancy, stinking dog toilet.

pjmanley September 11, 2017 (1:12 pm)

Maximize it’s use, or as the City is saying now, “Activate the Space” so the wrong elements won’t hang out there. IMO the pocket parks are not kid or family friendly, are very underused, and tend to attract people who drink, deal and drug. Given the size of this one, there’s a chance to make a space kids, adults and the general public will use for something more than sitting. Dakota Place is nice, but underused as well. Too much emphasis on art and plants, not enough emphasis on activities and equipment that welcomes park “users.” Ercolini is the model I would try to replicate.

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