Future West Seattle park at 48th/Charlestown: Online survey now, in-person feedback opportunity next month

(WSB file photo, future park site at 48th/Charlestown)

Just last week, we published a followup on one of the three future “landbanked” parks in West Seattle. Today, the Parks Department has sent an update on one of the other two, the 48th/Charlestown site:

Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) is hosting a booth at the West Seattle Farmers Market, 44th Ave. SW and SW Alaska St., on Sunday, February 10, 2019 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This is an opportunity for the community to learn about the new park project at 48th Ave. SW and SW Charlestown St., meet the design team from Cascade Collaborative and provide input on the design of this new neighborhood park.

SPR will work with the community on the park design and encourages community participation. Please visit our booth on Sunday, participate in this short survey (https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/D7T5HPM) and post design ideas on your social media with the hashtag #48thandCharlestown.

SPR purchased the .23-acre property in 2014. The design of the park will incorporate accessibility features in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and provide access to open space for the neighborhood.

This park project is made possible by the voter-approved Seattle Park District, which provides more than $47 million a year in long-term funding for SPR, including maintenance of parklands and facilities, operation of community centers and recreation programs, and development of new neighborhood parks on previously acquired sites.

For more information or for meeting notification translations please (go here).

For questions about the project or if you need an interpreter or accommodations please contact Ed Pottharst at 206-386-4232 or Ed.pottharst@seattle.gov

$1.2 million in Park District levy funding has been earmarked for developing this site.

ET January 28, 2019 (12:03 pm)

Just completed the survey . . . from the options they provide, it seems as if off-leash dog area is not being considered. I decided to fill every “other” option with a broken record request for a section of the park where one could throw a ball to one’s dog.

Ron Swanson January 28, 2019 (12:23 pm)

Filed a comment requesting this park be developed as an off leash area. This park is blocks from Ercolini if you want a playground, or blocks from Schmitz if you want green space. However, it’s 5.5 miles from the nearest off leash area. If the city keeps ignoring the needs of dog owners in a whole sector of the city (did you know there are more dogs than children in Seattle?) I and many others will take that as tacit permission to let my dog off the leash at any reasonably sized park.

Sierra January 28, 2019 (1:11 pm)

Ron, you are so right. We need a off leash area so bad in this part of West Seattle. I spend so much time driving my dogs to the park. I either go to Burien or Genesee because Westcrest is so wet and muddy. Not that Westcrest is much closer. Living in the Admiral area it’s amazing how far I have to go to let my dogs run.
seaopgal January 28, 2019 (2:02 pm)

If the city keeps ignoring the needs of people who like to drive fast by refusing to designate additional arterials, I and many others will take that as tacit permission to speed on any reasonably sized street. (Requesting more dog parks is reasonable. Statements like this are not.)
- Ron Swanson January 28, 2019 (9:43 pm)
  
  Adding arterials would require condemning private property. All dog owners are asking for is some of West Seattle’s ample public space be used to provide more than one off-leash area. West Seattle has nine parks facilities with tennis courts, but only one with an off leash park! The amount of people who play tennis is a small fraction of those who have dogs. When the city has its priorities so out of whack, people will take matters into their own hands.

Person January 28, 2019 (1:31 pm)

I too requested a dog park. It is insane that this area doesnt have one.

Chuck January 28, 2019 (2:03 pm)

So very Seattle of you, Ron. A land where off-leash laws are only considered a suggestion (and mild annoyance) by the Entitled Class. Same folks that walk their dogs off-leash at “reasonably-sized” parks like Lincoln. With zero thought for those who are afraid of dogs, of small children or other dogs that could get bitten, of squirrels and birds that get chased an injured, and of un-scooped waste while the dog does his business off-trail. You know, because laws and rules are “for other people.” For the record, I’m also a pet owner and still follow the rules, even when it’s inconvenient to do so. In a city busting at its seams, it’s how a polite society works. Just sayin’.

aRF January 28, 2019 (3:33 pm)

What? Rules apply to everyone?!
Ron Swanson January 28, 2019 (9:35 pm)

Plenty of room for an off-leash area at Lincoln to allow people to “follow the rules” and prevent all those negative consequences that some owners do cause. The fact the parks department hasn’t seen fit to do it despite the obvious demand makes it a rule subject to widespread civil disobedience.

LK January 28, 2019 (2:10 pm)

Yes, thank you to those suggesting a dog park! Would love to see that happen…my greyhound needs a place to cut loose for a few minutes before heading back to the sofa and this location is a few blocks from our house! The lack of fencing makes it too risky currently. Dog park, yes please!

dsa January 28, 2019 (2:52 pm)

100 feet is hardly enough to toss a ball. A fenced off portion of Lincoln is a better choice. BTW, is Belvedere Park at the top of Admiral hill too wet for a dog park? It seems large enough and underused.

SLJ January 28, 2019 (3:27 pm)

A dog park is a great idea, but that space is too small. And until there is a dog park, I will keep mine on a leash. Walking your dog on a leash is part of living in a city. If this doesn’t work for you, don’t have a dog in the city. The vast majority if dog owners are responsible, but the few who aren’t make a bad name for all of us. I am so frustrated every time I see a dog running along the beach at Alki. If your dog needs to go in the water, head over to the Mercer Island dog park. Letting your dog run loose in a park of your choosing is ridiculous and inappropriate.

psps January 28, 2019 (3:28 pm)

I always thought this site, formerly a grocery store before 1980, was undeveloped because the underlying soil was contaminated.

lookingforlogic January 28, 2019 (3:34 pm)

This property is in an area that could become an attractive nuisance because of traffic from Alki. I do not have a dog but an off leash dog park seems the best use.

dunnkld January 28, 2019 (6:24 pm)

Really? It would have to be an awfully fancy park to attract people from Alki.

Karen January 28, 2019 (3:50 pm)

I don’t have a dog but I really think our West Seattle dogs need a park! Just visit the Farmer’s Market on Sunday. You can see the many wonderful, well-behaved dogs. And there are a lot of them! Maybe, it could include an obstacle course?

Jeff January 28, 2019 (4:15 pm)

I have a dog and live nearby, but it is just not a big enough space for a dog park. It would be nothing but mud 8 months of the year.

Me January 28, 2019 (4:18 pm)

This is too small of a space for a dog park. The dogs will be all over each other and cause more trouble than it’s worth (at least my mini Aussie would when she started herding your dog). Unless you like your dog running in circles and getting into confrontations with other owners…I’d find another spot for dogs. I think the east side of Hiawatha is a better place to develop a dog park. What about a tiny amphitheater like in Seward Park?

Railroaded January 28, 2019 (4:39 pm)

There is barely enough room in that space for a Chihuahua to chase its own tail.

Mememememememe January 28, 2019 (5:27 pm)

Attitudes like Ron Swanson’s are why I don’t take my dog to off leash dog parks no matter how close they are. There’s always the entitled people who think their precious pup has the right to do whatever they please regardless of the effect on others. For those who think Hiawatha is a good choice, the east end is already used as an off leash park later in the evenings, along with the area on the grounds of West Seattle High along Hanford. I’m sure the groundskeepers enjoy cleaning up the mess that these people leave behind.

KBear January 28, 2019 (5:29 pm)

The Denny and Kinnear Park off-leash areas are smaller.

Justme January 28, 2019 (5:49 pm)

I vote for a 1.2 million dollar jungle jim and swing set! Imagine how much fun that could be!

KM January 28, 2019 (5:54 pm)

How about an off-leash cat park? For vegans?

Honorable January 28, 2019 (9:00 pm)

Bingo!

Mike January 28, 2019 (7:11 pm)

I vote for a BMX pump track. Closest thing to one around here is SeaTac.

Person January 28, 2019 (7:17 pm)

The woodland park dog park is pretty small too. Better than nothing. I’m going to contact COLA (Citizens for Offleash Area) to see if they can help.

RJ January 28, 2019 (7:38 pm)

I vote for bocce ball courts.

Erin98126 January 28, 2019 (7:49 pm)

I wrote in dog park also.

Chuck January 28, 2019 (8:46 pm)

What I DONT want to see is another eyesore like Ercolini here. There’s too much traffic on Charlestown for a kiddie park and the additional cars it would bring. There are play fields/playgrounds for kids nearby at Madison Middle, Schmitz Park Ekementary, the new Genesee Hill Elementary, and Ercoloni. Ideally I’d like to see dog park or a community gathering area style park like those at 42nd/Alaska, Beveridge Place/California, and 50th/51st(?)/Admiral.

AJP January 28, 2019 (10:05 pm)

Ercolini is an eyesore?
- Mike January 29, 2019 (6:07 am)
  
  I think they’re referring to how Ercolini is a broken ride-on-toy boneyard. It’s where old broken tricycles and riding toys go to die.
  - Chuck January 29, 2019 (9:18 am)
    
    Exactly.

Jamie January 28, 2019 (9:21 pm)

I really like the idea of a community gathering space (benches, maybe a few picnic tables, and quiet shady spaces for reading) that is planted with all-native trees and plants. The plantings could have markers for educational purposes (for both kids and adults). Native plants would attract birds and wildlife, too.

Chuck January 29, 2019 (9:18 am)

That sounds perfect.
k January 29, 2019 (9:51 am)

YES!!!

Bv January 29, 2019 (12:41 am)

I vote no dog park.

Airwolf January 29, 2019 (7:12 am)

a couple of indoor tennis courts.

Glenda January 29, 2019 (1:57 pm)

I agree with Jamie – I voted for lots of shade, lots of plantings, some pea patch space. I think a small play area for kids with different types of play structures (like some obstacle course items or nature themed) could go well there too. I agree WS should have a dog park, but I think it makes much more sense to put it at a far end of Lincoln Park somewhere – this seems way too small.

Marietta January 30, 2019 (9:53 pm)

If any part of lincoln Park becomes a dog park, the entire park becomes a Giant off leash dog toilet. Please, no more catering to these dog people! Keep your dogs at home! I had dogs growing up. We didn’t feel the need to take them everywhere with us, and they were happy to see us when we got home. It’s inconsidrate to inflict your dogs on everyone. Trust me- lots of people can’t stand, or don’t want to be around your dog!
- Out for a Walk February 10, 2019 (12:49 pm)
  
  I totally agree. Do not allow Lincoln Park to have an off leash area. Dog owners should take care of their dogs. I am continually fending off dogs when I am out walking seems like no matter where I go in West Seattle. A dog off lesh, of course, even came through my yard! Irresponsible owners.

Matt January 29, 2019 (5:07 pm)

Why doesn’t anyone ever advocate for teenagers when these opportunities come up? It seems as though we care more about our dogs.How about a tiny little skate dot along the street side, so the teens can have one healthy outdoor thing to do in this neighborhood? A small feature can easily be integrated into the design to avoid pedestrian conflict and mitigate noise, for very little extra money.

Whoever February 12, 2019 (6:48 pm)

How about a community orchard/food garden that can be both tended and harvested by locals with the help of city fruit and/or tilth? It could have some fruit tries, but trees, grapes, raspberries blueberries etc.. There could be a lovely border of plants along the perimeter that are both ornamental and attract pollinating insects and birds. Even an area dedicated to information/education on pollinating insects and birds. There could be classes on how to prune,maintain and protect fruit trees. The local schools could have educational events there. There could be a harvest festival when stuff is ready. Some of the harvest could be used right there to make cider, pies, crisps, ice cream… A lot of the harvest could go to local food banks, or locals could harvest some for themselves. It is a small space, but it could be a great space that could effect not only the people of the community, but also their own yards and gardens. The more plants we have for beneficial birds and insects to feed on, the more we will have. Thus all plants in the neighborhood will benefit from something like this.

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