2 more West Seattle ‘hygiene stations’ installed, in The Junction and South Delridge

| Coronavirus | Delridge | Health | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

That’s the newest city-provided “hygiene station,” installed this morning in the northeast corner of Junction Plaza Park – portable toilets with a hand-washing station. We reported in late March on the first round of installations, which included one at Westcrest Park; the second round of installations did not include any West Seattle sites. After getting a tip about this one, we asked the city if any others were being installed in West Seattle; the reply – “A hygiene station was also deployed at Salvation Army White Center, located at 9050 16th Ave SW” (in South Delridge). The original city announcement says these sites “will be accessible 24/7 and serviced daily, with waste removal, needle disposal, and supplemental cleaning.” 

Jgreene May 13, 2020 (4:05 pm)

It’s so wild that we’ve normalized needle collection containers as a society. Yes- I’d rather have the needles in a dedicated container than on the ground where they are a health hazard, but it’s just sad that this is where we’re at and what we’ve grown accustomed to putting up with :(

M J S May 13, 2020 (6:49 pm)

Not all needles are for illegal drugs.
- Jgreene May 13, 2020 (9:07 pm)
  
  Let’s be real though — It’s not diabetics dropping their used insulin needles. It’s the IV drug users that are leaving their needles strewn about in our alleys, parks, playgrounds and schools, and that is why we are seeing needle stations popping up. To suggest otherwise is pretty disingenuous. And again, I’d rather any/all needles go into a sharp container or needle station. It’s just a sad that this is the new normal.
  - CAM May 14, 2020 (12:55 am)
    
    I’m not sure you can say that. You’re assuming that there are no homeless diabetics. Or you’re assuming if there are that they are all law abiding and respectful individuals. Also, I know from past experience that some diabetics use the needle drop boxes to get rid of their syringes safely. It isn’t always that simple.
    - Lenora May 14, 2020 (7:14 am)
      
      Yep, for a few months i was giving my dog weekly shots, and I liked having sharps containers to get rid of them rather than toss in garbage.
    - wscommuter May 14, 2020 (9:17 am)
      
      Yes it is. There is an epidemic of opiod abuse that has directly resulted in a portion of our homeless population being in that condition because of addiction. One of the inevitable consequences of that discrete problem is scattered needles left by addicts. We never had a needle problem with “homeless diabetics” before; but we do have that problem now. JGreene is correct – it is sad (but necessary) that we have to have safe needle repositories.
  - Brian May 14, 2020 (4:43 pm)
    
    Wow you really seem to know a lot about people you’ve never met in your life.
- Just saying May 14, 2020 (9:49 am)
  
  this kind of conversation always drives me crazy. I am diabetic, I use insulin, I put the cap back on the needle and put it in my purse or bag. There is no reason whatsoever for me to leave my needles where I use them, nor is there any reason I should expect society should dispose of my garbage when I’m out in a public place when I know it needs to be handled safely. So thanks for thinking you’re helping diabetics, but I do not have to have sharps containers installed everywhere at a high cost to others when I can simply deal with my garbage myself.
  - ACG May 14, 2020 (10:29 am)
    
    Thank you, Just Saying. Be well.

Um, No! May 13, 2020 (5:49 pm)

Ah yes, Honey Buckets and Hygiene!

West Seattle Mad Sci Guy May 13, 2020 (7:33 pm)

Do not confuse honey buckets and honey hole. One is delicious sandwiches. One…is not. 😅

John May 13, 2020 (5:58 pm)

Much needed. Much appreciated.

Yes May 13, 2020 (6:00 pm)

I think this is a step in the right direction! Hygiene is important for everyone. I hope the city plans to make these more permanent facilities.

riled resident May 13, 2020 (7:19 pm)

How much more can we take in West Seattle! This is NOT a good idea. Who is going to use those toilets in this pandemic? It used to be a nice spot to eat lunch during good weather. NOT anymore sitting in front of smelly port- a- lets!! What an eyesore and a cesspool! The space isn’t big enough for those toilets. It seems to overwhelm the entire small park. I don’t actually complain about much, my usual reaction is just to think “oh, whatever. It may not be my thing, but, each to their own.” This however, really makes me mad. I pass by that park everyday walking to work. This is a pocket park in an area meant for local residents, not a parking lot in a salvation army (where something like this belongs) You know, the temporary piano was one thing. People actually played that piano that knew how to play, and it was a pleasant addition to the park. Bring that back if we need a permanent addition. Not this. The leadership here needs to be recalled!

Single space May 13, 2020 (7:45 pm)

Could you recall some of the extra spaces after your period breaks?
AMD May 13, 2020 (8:04 pm)

This announcement literally says they’re installing one in the Salvation Army parking lot. A Salvation Army in a residential neighborhood, no less (but a poorer one than the Junction, so maybe that’s why you think it “belongs” there and not your park?). For what it’s worth I live near one of these stations, will walk by it often since it’s on my daily exercise route, and I think it’s a great idea. I’m hopeful they can be long-term fixtures.
Over It May 13, 2020 (9:39 pm)

Oh, sorry this happened in your back yard. Yes, lets move these out of your neighborhood and into White Center and Highland Park where they belong. We need emergency housing now, not toilets and garbage cans in our parks and on our streets.
m May 13, 2020 (9:56 pm)

There are “local residents” in this neighborhood that benefit from these. And by benefiting some, these benefit all.

WS Clean May 13, 2020 (7:37 pm)

Appreciate the handwashing station and garbage can!

YES2WS May 13, 2020 (8:13 pm)

I think it’s a great idea, but a terrible location. Like Riled Resident mentioned above, it completely overwhelms the space. This used to be an enjoyable pocket park to stroll through. I’ve already rerouted my walk. I hope the person / committee in charge of selecting locations is open to the feedback that’s certain to follow.

anonyme May 14, 2020 (7:35 am)

Agree with others who’ve said it’s a good idea, bad location. It’s sad that regular people (you know, like the taxpayers who pay for it) can’t enjoy a little urban park for lunch or a stopover due to safety or cleanliness issues. Most of the people I see hanging around this park are indeed the ones most likely to use these facilities, so it’s practical in that regard – unfortunate in others.

Lagartija Nick May 14, 2020 (7:51 am)

The Venn diagram of people upset with this and those who complain about feces on the streets is one overlapping circle.

Chris K May 14, 2020 (9:17 am)

This is a good start but we need to think bigger than this. We need more permanent facilities for the unhoused.

Erithan May 14, 2020 (3:19 pm)

I called the parks department today, the porta potty is an issue, it’s right under our apartment windows and vents for the end units. It also encourages the violent addicts who like to hang out there and steal(I’ve watched it) from local places more of a reason to hang around…. Where is the common sense when installing things like that? Washing station not a big deal, the porta potty is though.

John May 14, 2020 (5:36 pm)

From what I see the units are placed about 20 feet away from the windowless side of the apartment building, and certainly not “right under” any structure or window. It may be true that petty criminals and homeless frequent the park and I appreciate Erithan calling 911 when he witnesses crime. This is another issue that Covid has propelled to action. Although Seattle has long been woefully short of public restrooms, the pandemic is doing what has consumed impressive Seattle Process up until now.
- Erithan May 14, 2020 (9:43 pm)
  
  It’s not windowless, those grates are large and open, I’m on the end unit It gets to 90+ unless we have that door open where those grated windows are. There are also public bathrooms right across the street in the qfc.
- Erithan May 14, 2020 (9:44 pm)
  
  Oops derped, im sorry for being complainy, it’s just been very frustrating getting help with issue in the park, so the potential that this could make it worse causes me a lot of stress. :( didn’t mean to sound so snippy in reply above. @@