FOLLOWUP: Both Lincoln Park parking lots have reopened

| Coronavirus | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

Thanks again to tipster Mike – first, he reported the south Lincoln Park parking lot’s reopening back on Thursday; today, he sent the photo above with news that the north Lincoln Park lot is open again as well. (We had checked just yesterday afternoon, and at that time it was still closed.) As we noted on Thursday, while tomorrow is the official reopening date for lots like these (as we first reported two weeks ago), Parks crews have actually been reopening them over the past week, since the work that’s involved – like removing those big blocks from the south LP lot – couldn’t all be done in one day. The lots and others at “destination parks” citywide were closed seven months ago as “an effort to encourage social distancing and reduce the number of congregating crowds”; then in May, the south lot opened some accessible spaces for disabled park visitors.

Marge E. October 18, 2020 (2:42 pm)

This was nothing but discrimination against disabled and elderly citizens. The entire time Lincoln Park was air quote closed everyone that was able body used it

CAM October 18, 2020 (3:04 pm)

I’m pretty sure the disabled parking was open the whole time.
WSMom October 18, 2020 (3:30 pm)

They opened the small lot up for disabled parking and the disabled parking by the swingsets was open.
Alki resident October 18, 2020 (7:31 pm)

Clearly you didn’t drive by the whole time because it was o my disabled that were able to park in spots.

JustSaying October 18, 2020 (3:12 pm)

You know what, I never thought about it like that. Marge E. Is completely spot on.

WSMom October 18, 2020 (4:55 pm)

Justsaying = the smaller lot was open for handicapped only.
Anne October 18, 2020 (5:35 pm)

No she’s not – not discrimination.

Eddie October 18, 2020 (6:03 pm)

Did anybody think about the poor car prowlers that were put out of work by closing those parking lots?

John October 19, 2020 (4:15 am)

The tow truck drivers picked up the slack for the car prowlers I would see three or four of them along there fairly regularly towing people

Katie October 18, 2020 (9:06 pm)

What about Camp Long?

WSB October 18, 2020 (9:09 pm)

That lot was never on the closure list, although the Environmental Learning Center itself is.

West Sea October 19, 2020 (7:35 am)

I am very sorry you experienced this Marge E. It does feel like you and others were left out and discriminated against – I am sorry that this happened. And I am sorry for all of the vulnerable populations and even lonely and alone people who have been suffering through this. The parks are supposed to be a place of solace and healing. It saddens me that you could not get there. Many of the “safety” measures do leave many of our most vulnerable less “safe” and less “well.” Where or when was it ever communicated that handicapped people were allowed – nowhere – And yes, this was intended to make it difficult and make us able bodied folks to walk many many blocks to get to the park. I was at a mall yesterday (off island) that ignored fire code completely and mandated everyone come in and out of one entrance – for no good reason – no temperature checks here. It was stifling. It was dangerous. The “safety” streets have people abandoning caution and walking dogs and babies in the middle of the street, nearly getting hit by cars. – Not to mention the damage the caused when the wind blew them away and into things. Is there ever going to be a time where we can evaluate and take stock at a community of what regulations are working and which are causing more harm? It seems like critical thinking and compassion go out the window when everyone is in “survival’ (of the fittest) mode.

WSB October 19, 2020 (8:55 am)

Yes, the disabled parking availability was communicated. We reported on it twice when it was added, and the signage (the wheelchair symbol) at the south lot waw pretty large