Westcrest Park play structure closed, to be replaced

| Highland Park | Safety | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

Thanks to everyone who’s messaged us about the fence that has suddenly appeared around that play structure at Westcrest Park (thanks to Jon for the photo). We asked Seattle Parks about it – reply: “The playground has deteriorated and we have closed it. We will be replacing it, in-kind, as part of our Westcrest Off-Leash Area Project.” The reply did not mention a timeline, so we’re following up. It’s one of several Seattle Parks play structures closed in recent years for safety concerns; the south play area at Lincoln Park is still awaiting its replacement 4 years after its sudden closure (construction now set for this fall).

sam-c May 19, 2021 (1:55 pm)

That surprises me- it’s still a ‘new’ playground in my mind. Am I wrong or was this playground installed as part of the giant reservoir covering project?

HB May 19, 2021 (10:25 pm)

Yes, overall playground was a part of the project you mention, however the wooden structure was relocated at that time from the south end of the park on the other side of the pea patch. It had been located there for sometime before the renovation. I believe the rest of the project was new.

Gill & Alex May 19, 2021 (2:21 pm)

Very sorry to hear about that. We go to Westcrest often to walk enjoying the incredible views and the gardens with kids screaming in the background. Hope the parents can find other ways to get their kids outdoors in a safe place. Believe a local grade school is working on its playground. Then for those of you living near White Center there is Steve Cox Memorial Park as well as North Shorewood Park both with children’s play areas.

El Jefe' May 19, 2021 (2:51 pm)

For those that don’t know we do have a thriving population of subterranean termites so above these structures look great but below the two feet of bark there may be a different look. Seems like any playground made of wood is being replaced.

Jeff May 19, 2021 (6:11 pm)

I’d be less disappointed by this announcement if the lower Lincoln park playground wasn’t still sitting empty. With no timeline and that backdrop, it feels like this just a removed playground to be replaced never.

bolo May 19, 2021 (6:15 pm)

Is it my imagination or are the play structures getting shorter?

http://archives.seattle.gov/digital-collections/media/collectiveaccess/images/2/8/3/32641_ca_object_representations_media_28365_large.jpg

(That one is from Hiawatha)

KayK May 19, 2021 (6:40 pm)

The rubberized landing pads of the zipline type swings also has/had failure issues. It’s such a bummer that the dog park repairs had to be delayed, hopefully they and this playground equipment are top priority for Parks!While COVID is ending, the West Seattle Bridge detour route traffic still has many folks feeling like they are trapped in the neighborhood – we need to keep up our neighborhood parks!

TJ May 19, 2021 (6:41 pm)

For anyone really believing the bridge will be open “mid 2022”, look at the Lincoln Park playground. Closed 4 years now. I commented on a story about it 3 years ago about how a estimated 6 month timeline was absurd. It was basically a little bigger version of the do it yourself home playground kits from Costco. Any good contractor could build a new one from scratch in a couple days. The Seattle process at work

Kyle May 19, 2021 (8:07 pm)

My unofficial rankings of Seattle government services. The Best: The pothole repair crew. The Worst: Seattle Parks. Below the Worst: All of the city council.

Nancy Smithin May 19, 2021 (8:15 pm)

Seattle parks has to do a much better job maintaining these assets. They have a Maintenace team and should be performing regular preventative maintenance instead of waiting until something breaks and closing the structure. It’s like owning a car and never changing the oil. If it’s termites get a pest vendor out and spray to kill them. We support parks with our tax dollars and then again when we pass a special levies to financially support parks. Let’s think ahead .

bolo May 21, 2021 (5:29 pm)

“If it’s termites get a pest vendor out and spray to kill them.”
I don’t like the idea of our kids playing on a structure/play area sprayed with toxic pesticides.

mark47n May 20, 2021 (7:41 am)

Bring back metal slides, metal jungle gyms and domes, 20′ high metal swing sets, gravel substrate, and big metal merry-go-rounds that will flings kids off! Oh, and the stacks of old tractor tires to climb on! These are they playgrounds that will last a few lifetimes.