New Fairmount Park play structure might finally open next week

(WSB photo)

We’ve received questions about when the new play structure between Fairmount Park Elementary and Fairmount Playfield is going to open – it’s remained fenced off, three months after installation. The most recent project-website update blamed the concrete strike for recent delays and suggested it’ll be open next month. We followed up directly with Seattle Parks today and spokesperson Karen O’Connor tells WSB the main delay now is the material they need to put under the structure:

We were hoping to open this week, but we are awaiting delivery of the engineered wood fiber (EWF) needed for fall attenuation. In addition to the unexpected concrete strike, we have been challenged by long lead times to have EWF delivered due to labor and material shortages.

We were alerted this AM that the full amount of EWF will not be delivered tomorrow as planned. The project landscape architect is working with our vendor to see if we can schedule additional deliveries this week. After delivery we need to have the final inspection and then can remove the construction fencing. We are hoping to open the play area open early next week.

This is almost two years behind the original schedule detailed on the Parks sign that’s still up at the project site. Planning began in 2019.

Brian January 24, 2022 (7:20 pm)

My kingdom for some wood chips.

Bill January 24, 2022 (8:09 pm)

2 years! That’s downright speedy for Seattle Parks. Ask them about Lincoln Park South. They have been taking this out of there for years before COVID. They have missed so many promised deadlines at this point my kids have simply outgrown whatever they are going to put there.

WSB January 24, 2022 (8:26 pm)

I know, that was closed five years ago. It was on the city list for bids last time I looked but now I can’t find it.

Kids need to play January 24, 2022 (8:22 pm)

The kids at Fairmount park do not have a play structure and haven’t had one all year. I can’t think of any other Seattle public school that doesn’t have anywhere for the kids to play at recess. These kids deserve an award for patience!

Elton January 24, 2022 (9:22 pm)

For real, it’s such a big tease to see a playground every day that looks completely usable that you can’t play on. Glad relief is coming soon!

Brian January 24, 2022 (8:32 pm)

Any updates on the Morgan junction pocket park expansion?

WSB January 24, 2022 (9:08 pm)

Not yet aside from city reviews under way for the soil cleanup plan, and as noted in our Morgan Community Association meeting report last week, MoCA is forming a committee to talk about ideas for using the space in the time between cleanup and actual park development (which may be years away) – TR

K January 24, 2022 (8:33 pm)

The timing of all of this has been so cruel for the kids. The old structure sat there, untouched and off limits during the early days of Covid when they could have used that time to tear down the old one and build the new one. Then, if memory serves correctly….a week or two before school is set to open in person, full time, they tear it down. So then the school kids were back, but had nothing play on. THEN, they finally build it, but keep it fenced off, just taunting them as they await woodchips for GD months. As my kid told his grandparents when asked what he can do at recess, “I have a ball and a wall”. I can’t wait for this to finally open and give the kids some joy in what has otherwise been a bleak couple of years.

Emily January 25, 2022 (11:42 pm)

When I walked by this morning on my way to work I saw a truck next to the entrance with a tube from it to the playground but nothing was going on yet. So maybe they did end up getting the delivery today?