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FOLLOWUP: Petition drive to keep unofficial skatepark at landbanked Morgan Junction Park Addition site

October 5, 2022 7:07 pm
|      81 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

7:07 PM WEDNESDAY: We’ve been reporting for a decade on the site north of Morgan Junction Park that was bought by the city in 2014 and “landbanked” as a future addition to the park. As noted here over the summer, the actual park development won’t have funding until the next Park District cycle. (The city was working on design just before the pandemic – and then the project got shelved.) The site has been awaiting soil remediation from its past incarnation as a dry cleaners. In the meantime, you’ve probably noticed the guerrilla mini-skatepark that’s turned up on the previously long-idle site. Tonight we heard from supporters of skating at the site who are gathering petition signatures to ask the city to let them keep using it that way while the site awaits development. If you’re interested in supporting their campaign, the petition page is here. (Photo from August, sent by CJ)

ADDED 11:12 AM THURSDAY: We asked Seattle Parks about the situation. Here’s the response:

Unfortunately, this site is not safe for public use of any type and we’ll have to remove any skate equipment and re-lock the site. SPR has submitted for a grading permit (6924009-GR) to remove the hazardous material left over from the former dry cleaner. Included in the removal of HAZMAT will be some landscape improvements. We anticipate completing this work and opening the site to the public Spring 2023.

There was a substance poured on the ramp; this was not done by SPR staff.

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81 Replies to "FOLLOWUP: Petition drive to keep unofficial skatepark at landbanked Morgan Junction Park Addition site"

  • R2 October 5, 2022 (7:20 pm)

    Let the kids play! 

  • Chuck October 5, 2022 (7:28 pm)

    I’m not a skater, and I can’t say I had thought of this alternative use for this  space, but I think it’s a decent idea.  The truth is that this little park on a super busy street would be nothing but decorative, like the existing portion just south of it (And Nantes Park on Admiral Way, which is a tax payer supported vanity  park for the adjoining properties, NOBODY uses it). I never see anyone sitting at either of these two existing parks, I can’t imagine families picnicking or children playing on California Avenue or Admiral Way.  Why not let the skaters get some use out of it in a location where the public and SPD can keep an eye on things.   

  • WS teacher October 5, 2022 (7:31 pm)

    This is an amazing DIY project.  I’ve seen it build community, seen kids learning skills (skating and building), and interacted with people who have walked by and enjoyed what they see.  Meanwhile the parks department (who claims the obstacles are costing them money) has taken to covering the obstacles with tar and gravel in the mornings, destroying planter boxes that were made to bring beauty and a smile, and threatening young kids with the police.  Seems obvious to me who is looking out the neighborhood community.  

    • flimflam October 6, 2022 (7:18 am)

      Park dept is deliberately putting tar and gravel on the area? Seriously ridiculous and shameful if true – there must be something more worthwhile for the parks employees to be doing.Unfortunately, this is very common – skaters repurpose an out of the way, unused area, some authority figure finds out and suddenly this unused parcel demands their attention and must be destroyed! How Burnside in Portland managed to thrive and grow is amazing and extremely surprising.

      • Josh Radick October 6, 2022 (1:04 pm)

        Honestly not aiming for Burnside, just to be entirely clear here, lol… This isn’t a park designed for pros. It was designed with younger, less experienced skaters in mind, and meant to be a stepping stone for learning and growth. 

        • flimflam October 6, 2022 (3:07 pm)

          Lol, didn’t think so, just pondering the good fortune and permissiveness that allowed Burnside to be started, then added on, and added on some more. It is the same spirit at the end of the day i think…

  • Seaview parent October 5, 2022 (7:57 pm)

    I’m absolutely loving seeing the community using this site in a creative way. It’s been an eyesore for a decade, and it’s currently getting more active use than most of our urban pocket parks. I see teenagers practicing tricks, socializing, and (gasp) actually cleaning the space/building things. This is the type of public space/volunteerism we should be encouraging, not working against.Parks, focus on fixing the Alki and Lincoln Park playgrounds and let the kids skate.

  • Zac C October 5, 2022 (8:05 pm)

    Just signed and donated! I think I remember something on the WSB saying the site wasn’t that contaminated…hope that is the case. It has been a nice change of pace honestly this has added good energy to a part of CA ave that has been an eyesore for too long. Can the City just work something out with the community and give them some parameters to work with? I hope there is a way we help clean up the site or contribute to make it nicer (and usable for kids to skate) while we wait for the permanent replacement. On that note – we also need more places for people to let their dogs run, mt bike, etc.  Can something like that be worked into the permanent park design?  This site seems pretty large and the skaters aren’t using up much of it.  Come on Parks – loosen up a little  and listen more closely to the community you serve!

  • Justin October 5, 2022 (8:20 pm)

    Excellent! That said, why not reopen the design process and explore the possibility of turning this site into a permanent skate park?

    • Another Justin October 5, 2022 (9:49 pm)

      +1 this idea.The petition is great. Seems like a no-brainer. Let the kids skate. 

    • Cricket October 6, 2022 (6:03 am)

      Love this idea!

  • Josh Radick October 5, 2022 (8:26 pm)

    Thanks for the love and help clearing the air here! Much love and respect to all that help back this petition. If this whole idea isn’t your cup of tea, we get it… but please engage with discussion, not destruction! 🤙

  • Skater mom October 5, 2022 (8:49 pm)

    It’s great for the skaters in Morgan Junction area as the next closest skate parks are Roxbury and Delridge.

  • Jethro Marx October 5, 2022 (8:53 pm)

    Skate or die! I hope they still joust, these days?

    • Josh Radick October 6, 2022 (12:36 am)

      Only when we fire up the old skool Nintendo. ;) Lester’s still a creep, but we accept him for what he is, lol!😂😂🤣

  • Nate October 5, 2022 (8:54 pm)

    What a great use of that space. Glad community members are getting involved. I’ve seen lots of kids and young folks enjoying it, so obviously there is a need. If you think about it, that area is kinda in between delridge and roxhill skate parks and it’s not really convinient to walk to either.

  • Sharol Franco October 5, 2022 (8:58 pm)

    I support this family friendly community building project!  Great way for family, friends and kids to bond with their neighborhood and literally “build” their community together meeting neighbors, parents and anyone else who is looking to just enjoy what west seattle has to offer. We’re a community – don’t break that up!! 

  • Alki resident October 5, 2022 (9:36 pm)

    My son and some other guys saw this makeshift park taking shape recently, he went home and got some materials to donate to the kids. Please sign this petition. These kids are passionate about skating and what a perfect location for it. This keeps kids out of trouble and active in a great sport. I really hope to see this take shape into something pretty special and created for the kids by the kids. Please sign

  • Mj October 5, 2022 (10:10 pm)

    Maybe it’s time for more guerrilla work to create play space for kids, waiting on the Seattle Parks Department could take several generations. 

    The skate park is a good use for the space. 

  • Mellow Kitty October 5, 2022 (10:19 pm)

    Signed and submitted! 👍

  • Chris In Seaview October 5, 2022 (11:06 pm)

    Signed!  Do the kids making this have a list of anything else they need to improve the sk8 park?  Lumber, concrete, etc.?

  • smoosh October 6, 2022 (5:32 am)

    Dope.  Signed.

  • Mae October 6, 2022 (6:46 am)

    What do all good DIY skateparks have in common? Marginal way, long acres, burnside. They are all under bridges in industrial areas away from people’s homes. I live in the apartment building directly next to this lot and the noise has completely ruined any sense of peace in my space. I can’t relax in my own home because of the constant noise. Imagine 7 to 10 people skating, listening to music, and running power tools right outside of your bedroom window. It sucks.I understand the good intention of creating a community space, but a good community project doesn’t disregard the people who live in the space every day. This is a terrible spot for a skatepark and if it stays I’ll be forced out of my home.

    • Question Authority October 6, 2022 (9:15 am)

      Mae,
      Please also consider what the neighbors thought of the noise and disruption that existed when your building was constructed?  A Skatepark is an excellent use of the property and the construction noise is the price of needed improvement.

    • Josh Radick October 6, 2022 (11:01 am)

      Mae, I totally understand the concern, and I appreciate you voicing your views. We’d love to confine the work to set hours, and be mindful of folks in the building! We, unfortunately haven’t been afforded that opportunity. That’s why I wrote the petition. We WANT to be mindful of your needs, privacy, and any challenges this work creates for you as well!

      • Mae October 6, 2022 (2:35 pm)

        I was all for this project when you guys started. I even donated a large piece of art to it. But as its grown it’s become a real disturbance. It’s not so much about the noise of construction. It’s more about the noise created by the actual skateboarding. Construction noise is temporary but if the skatepark were to stay and grow there would be more and more skaters coming at all hours of the day and night. Imagine a group of 7-15 (potentially more) people slamming wood and metal onto cement right outside your bedroom, kitchen, and office window. Over and over again from sun up to sundown. Next time you’re there notice how close the building is to the park. The echo is unreal. It really sucks even with all my windows closed.

    • Josh Radick October 6, 2022 (1:42 pm)

      If their response is accurate, Mae, and they plan to have this open by “Spring 2023″… there’s going to be a LOT more noise headed your way. The remediation will create a ~60’x30’x4-12′ crater  where that slab currently resides (hope they don’t forget to water as they dig to keep toxins out of the air!)… and then they need to not only backfill that same hole, but add MORE fill dirt to achieve the ‘hills’ being proposed. Constant reversing of heavy equipment will not be fun for anyone in the area. More info on the proposed options here: https://www.seattle.gov/parks/about-us/projects/morgan-junction-park-addition
      I particularly like the part about “Community Participation”.  No environmental impact found… but the soil is so toxic that we can’t be near it and they have to block it off. These two don’t seem to be mutually exclusive, and, I’d argue, contradict one another. We can’t get a straight answer from parks to save our lives. Hopefully they protect yours!

      Community Participation

      Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) has determined that the project does not have a probable significant adverse impact on the environment. An environmental impact statement (EIS) is not required under RCW 43.21C.030(2)(c). This decision was made after review of a completed environmental checklist and other information on file with SPR. This information is available to the public on request. The Determination of Non-Significance was issued February 22, 2021.

  • Bryan October 6, 2022 (7:12 am)

    I love it!! Would’ve killed for something like this growing up skating. Make it permanent!

  • Anne October 6, 2022 (7:12 am)

    Has anyone given a thought to  the liability the city (us) could face if someone were to get sick using the park before remediation-or were to get hurt because it’s a makeshift park?  

    • Josh Radick October 6, 2022 (9:25 am)

      This is where our research has led us so far…

      https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2015-04/documents/scrd-cleanup-factsheet.pdf

      Thanks for being interested enough to ask the question!

    • flimflam October 6, 2022 (10:54 am)

      Someone always brings that up (usually a business owner or a cop, unhappy about the presence of skaters. They imply that some kid breaks a leg and the family will sue Safeway, etc wherever the kid was skating. I don’t ever recall this happening, ever, I’m my old skating days. I think it’s a myth, like the Loch Ness monster or the Yeti….

      • Anne October 6, 2022 (12:21 pm)

        Looks like Blog has added an update –

        • KeepItClean October 7, 2022 (2:57 pm)

          Yep, another big fat nothing burger… That statement is the parks telling everyone that supports this idea to ‘sit down and shut up…’ Is THAT how democracy works? Is that how you like to spend your money? By sitting down and shutting up? Not me….

    • KM October 7, 2022 (4:18 pm)

      I think that’s a common thought, but the city builds unsafe infrastructure for more dangerous uses all the time. I guess the real risk is how good your tort lawyer is. Skateboarding is often a scapegoat for safety concerns.

  • Rooster October 6, 2022 (7:22 am)

    Signed it and shared on Instagram. 

  • Soren October 6, 2022 (7:27 am)

    This is so cool, let it be

  • Beth Bakeman October 6, 2022 (7:55 am)

    Great idea! I signed, but didn’t donate since it looks like the donations go to Change.org to promote the petition. I’d rather donate money to the people building the skatepark and promote the petition myself on Facebook and through my local networks.

  • Wylie October 6, 2022 (8:13 am)

    Skating is not a crime.

  • helpermonkey October 6, 2022 (8:24 am)

    Signed! I just noticed it when I drove by yesterday evening and thought “oh good, they’re putting it to some use until they get off their butts and finish that pocket park!” Let the kids build and skate. This space isn’t being used for anything else other than an eyesore right now. Parks and Rec, you know this is the right thing to do to let this stay. 

  • OnlySlightlyQuestioning October 6, 2022 (8:32 am)

    I totally agree with the above commenters that there are far worse things kids could be doing than skateboarding! And that the creativity and community building aspects are laudable if better harnessed in a sanctioned way.That said, although I realize these won’t be popular questions to ask based on the current comments here, I have a few that I’d like addressed:– The petition mentions RCW as putting liability on the skater. Do attractive nuisance, trespassing, or other laws apply that might explain the efforts of Parks to keep the skaters out, due to potential liability to Parks?- What is the difference between allowing skaters to take over publicly owned land as opposed to other rule breakers like off leash dog owners or people living in Parks?- Will the space be more difficult to remediate and develop in the future with the presence of the semi-permanent concrete structures brought in by the skaters?- In addition to the positive lessons about creativity/building community/spending time outdoors: what lesson does it teach kids by encouraging them to trespass on property with caution tape and very clear “Authorized Access Only” signs? Why don’t the rules apply to them here?- Are the actions the skaters are forcing Parks to undertake in order to secure the site taking away from the time maintenance crews could be working at other Parks locations, and in doing so delaying maintenance needs at parks that are open to authorized public use?Again, trying to heed the advice of the person behind the petition to “engage with discussion, not destruction.” I’d value hearing some perspective here and appreciate that the skaters are engaging in good faith with public outreach.

    • Josh Radick October 6, 2022 (9:21 am)

      All great thoughts and points!  Thank you for starting a good conversation piece here! We don’t want a one sided discussion, we want community input. I definitely look forward to following this particular thread! :)

    • DC October 6, 2022 (9:48 am)

      I think these concerns are fair. But it is also worth considering the failures of the city that led the community to take matters into their own hands. Does the city not have an obligation to use public land for public use? Has the city not neglected its responsibility by sitting on a valuable piece of land leaving it derelict rather than restoring it or allowing it to be developed? Should the city not consult with the community before obstructing or destroying a community lead project to improve a public space? I hope that this petition at least starts a conversation with the city. I hope they find a solution that actually takes the community’s interest seriously rather than shut them down as they continue to neglect their responsibility to use public land for public good. 

  • MLJ October 6, 2022 (8:44 am)

    If anything this proves that a constituency is not adequately represented in the rapidly aging design, and they should amend it to include an integrated skate dot, which is outlined in the ratified Seattle Citywide Skatepark Plan. Simple tweaks and integrated skate features can make the park skateable while still being usable by non-skaters. Parks talks a lot about equity and inclusion, but often don’t see the concrete proof right in front of their eyes that they are under serving a group of stakeholders, who are willing to demonstrate at their own expense and effort, that they can be good stewards of the space.Amend the design to support skateboarding!

    • Josh Radick October 6, 2022 (9:12 am)

      Thank you for your support thoughtful words here! 

    • Justin October 6, 2022 (9:30 am)

      I’d be curious to know what efforts Seattle Parks made to engage youth in the previous design development process — and how youth feedback was incorporated. The previous design concepts certainly look nice, but as you noted, they are rapidly aging, and I think it’s likely that they’d end up being severely under-utilized and under-maintained.

      • Josh Radick October 6, 2022 (12:17 pm)

        They picked up wood ramps that kids had built/brought, and threw them in a pile, damaging most of them. THAT has been the parks response to these kids. Thus this petition… and why the project switched to concrete. I’ll be writing an op-ed for Westside Seattle to explain the ebb and flow of our interactions with SPR, how this whole idea was created, and the life that we saw thriving in this little spot in the coming week. Hoping that SPR is able and ready to engage. More details to come! We will be fighting to get on the docket for the 10/19 call about this location that was just brought to our attention as well. Stay tuned, kids!

  • M October 6, 2022 (8:50 am)

    Wow.   Only ONE negative comment on this thread.  Has our community ever been in such agreement?  It’s a comment section miracle!

  • Jeffry October 6, 2022 (9:11 am)

    Keep the skate park!!! 

  • Hau October 6, 2022 (9:53 am)

    Signed! Thank you for sharing more information about this. Have enjoyed and appreciated seeing this space be utilized by our youth ☺️Time to support them! 

  • Nitro October 6, 2022 (9:54 am)

    Squatting and taking over vacant city land is how Camp Second Chance got it’s location. Seems like that is the rule of law here- so go for it kids!  Good luck with the build!

  • orchard_st October 6, 2022 (10:45 am)

    Signed! Love to see it.

  • WSB October 6, 2022 (11:14 am)

    Just added above, Parks’ response to our questions about the situation. – TR

    • Josh Radick October 6, 2022 (12:04 pm)

      Thanks for posting that up! We expected they’d say something as such, but can they then explain how 5 gallon buckets of tar and paint magically floated over a 6′ tall fence with a quarter yard of pebbles? The freshly (with new locks) locked gates make it pretty easy to guess who this was. Unless, that is, someone else (Non-parks) added that new lock? Are they to have us believe that someone carried a 5 gallon bucket of paint OVER the fence, and somehow got THAT many rocks over the fence as well? Would love to discuss these facts in the open if you are willing, SPR? Also, would love to know why it’s safe to exercise outside the debonair cleaners in Admiral, or the old quality cleaners lot across the street, but not this lot…? If it is THAT unsafe, WHY HAS IT SAT THERE, UNTOUCHED, FOR 10+ YEARS?!? Signage/Red tape doesn’t change what’s in the soil. I’ve already posted a link to the EPA’s site about soil contaminated with dry cleaning chemicals (please see above)… would love to know makes this PARTICULAR lot so dangerous.

      • flimflam October 6, 2022 (1:04 pm)

        it really is a bit suspicious…either way, a lame and unfortunately predictable response from the city. sorry.

      • CAM October 6, 2022 (3:12 pm)

        Josh – I get where you’re coming from with wanting to use the space but your accusations and paranoia toward the city workers fall a little flat when the parties responsible for building a “guerilla” skatepark would have had to illegally access the site in the first place. Your assumption that no other party could do so or that P&R did not simply show up after they did and install a new lock (sounds like that has been happening more than once?) is a little hard to swallow when you are defending people cutting the locks and building structures contrary to posted signage. Your actions may be popular, but as you have seen in this comment thread they are not universally regarded as positive. The fact that one party can take “guerilla” action to meet their needs should help that same party see that another citizen/group of citizens could take the same action against them. 

        • Josh Radick October 7, 2022 (7:40 am)

          Cam, I hope you are able to read the op-ed we are writing for Westside Seattle. This was NOT a guerilla park. This was people using a piece of PUBLIC land that couldn’t be/wasn’t being used for anything else TEMPORARILY. If you haven’t read the petition, we make it 100% clear that this was never meant to disrupt any future parks work. It started simply as a couple wooden ramps, which parks took upon themselves to destroy. The fence was never locked until recently…locking out people AFTER substances were dumped all over the place. Full details from our side to be released soon. Glad you bring these points up. Have a good day, Cam!

  • JVP October 6, 2022 (11:24 am)

    Signed!  I’m not a skater, but I really feel like the city of Seattle doesn’t do near enough to give kids active things to do. So few basketball courts, skate parks, bike parks, etc. So many of our urban parks are just loitering zones and unfriendly to family. Let’s do this!

    • agreejvp October 7, 2022 (11:21 am)

      JVP I agree! Although the lack of basketball courts is most likely related to something even more nefarious that happens in many major US cities. Google Whereas Hoops for some awesome, sad and inspiring stories about basketball courts and racism.

  • Elton October 6, 2022 (12:36 pm)

    They mention that they’re going to re-landscape after they cleanup, does that mean they’re open to making it a skate park? Not something I feel passionate about, but if others do then seems like a better use than just basic landscaping.

  • Mel October 6, 2022 (12:53 pm)

    I’m definitely not into skateboarding but I like seeing this space actually in use. I’ve worried about a plain park with no playground or anything going into this space. What will prevent it from becoming another spot like the junction park with crime taking place? 

  • flimflam October 6, 2022 (1:03 pm)

    well, predictable and lame response by parks dept…meanwhile, how many of our parks have been rendered unusable for much of the public REAL safety reasons over the last few years? I knew the moment someone mentioned this spot in comments a few weeks ago it was doomed – can’t have unauthorized fun in a (previously) unused, dead piece of land.

  • Justin October 6, 2022 (1:12 pm)

    Given SPR’s ability to manage and deliver projects, I’d be surprised if any temporary grading work or the actual park project itself were completed this decade…

  • KP October 6, 2022 (1:16 pm)

    While still in nominee phase, it would be a great move and awesome start to his tenure if Anthony-Paul Diaz came out with a show of support and guided his team to a better solution than their response today. 

    • Josh Radick October 7, 2022 (7:46 am)

      It’s not the police, they have been great! This is all stemming from a situation where parks called the police while the kids were building a ramp. Police asked parks to move along and let the kids “BUILD COMMUNITY”. Now parks has gone on an absolute WAR PATH against us. We are 1000% thankful for how the police have handled this situation/location. So… a Special, SPECIAL, SPEEEEECIAL thanks to all the great SPD officers that we’ve met along the way!

  • WestSeattleBadTakes October 6, 2022 (1:27 pm)

    With so much support here, I may have to start doing some of my own tactical urbanism.

  • Wylie October 6, 2022 (1:32 pm)

    Here’s the grading permit.https://cosaccela.seattle.gov/portal/cap/CapDetail.aspx?type=1000&fromACA=Y&agencyCode=SEATTLE&Module=DPDPermits&capID1=22SCI&capID2=00000&capID3=A6865

  • Nate October 6, 2022 (2:57 pm)

    Not my idea (good friend of mine suggested it, thanks James!): the local WS skaters, young and old, should organize a skate in during this beautiful early fall (next Friday? ByAndBy and Grindline schwag?), invite the media, do some kick flips, show the city we need this park!

  • Mj October 6, 2022 (5:17 pm)

    Justin – I believe you meant this century!

  • Nope October 6, 2022 (9:59 pm)

    I live in the building next to this space and I’m highly opposed to the continuation of this skatepark. The disturbance and noise has become increasingly unbearable as the project has grown. The sound really carries and echoes off the flat cement and it sounds just like 10 people skating in my living room. I can hear everyone’s conversation and kids yelling and breaking tiles and glass. There is no way to get away from it and it’s extremely frustrating. I know people behind this project have good intentions, and to people passing by it seems like a cool improvement for the block. People getting together, building, teaching skills and being creative is very cool. Im not trying to put out negativity and make it seem like I just don’t want to see people have fun. But how about I come into your living room and crack on concrete and steel pipes and crack boards together all day long? How about ten of my friends come over and help make extra noise? It’s causing people in the building a lot of anxiety that this project is getting so much support and popularity because we feel like the noise is going to just ramp up and be constant and out of control. We like living here and enjoyed the peace of this area before people started illegally trespassing and creating a disturbance every single day. 

    • Josh Radick October 7, 2022 (7:58 am)

      Well, Nope, there’s still going to be a park there, so probably still people skating after the work is done, sorry to disappoint you there. You also live along one of the the busiest surface streets in West Seattle… if you haven’t noticed the gentrification, construction and noise have been slowly traveling south down CA Ave…and they’re headed your direction. Not sure what to tell you there, partner. Gonna be louder from here on out! The one question I would pose to you… which is worse, some kids skateboarding (and no, those kids aren’t breaking bottles, that is a grown adult breaking bottles and spraying liquid nail all over the location yesterday), or someone dumping more hazardous materials all over the ground to stop them? 

      • Nope October 7, 2022 (9:39 am)

        I would absolutely prefer a few week of construction noise knowing that it will be followed by a quiet green space. The more the skating continues the more the noise increases every day. It’s not about whether I prefer skating over broken glass and glue. The city should do a better job to keep the space locked and keep everyone out until it becomes a park. Go the the skatepark or build a ramp in your own backyard.

        • Josh Radick October 7, 2022 (12:59 pm)

          Nope, I HAVE a ramp in my backyard! (instagram: TheRadickalWave) In fact most of the parents helping to develop this area do as well… The problem being that 7 yo kids DON’T KNOW HOW TO RIDE RAMPS YET! This space was created for LEARNING/CREATING. You are obviously set in your position, and for YOUR reason . The way we see this is that, your reason is entirely personal, and our reason is community driven to address a need for access! If there wasn’t a demand for this, why would there be 15-20 kids there EVERY. SINGLE. DAY? I know you were a kid at one point… right? Can you think back to your 7-15 yo days and try to remember how you got around? Then compare that to where things stand today? You’re positioning that kids, with no mode of transport (other than hopping a bus full of homeless people (not safe for kids!)), should push their skateboards uphill 3 miles to Roxhill, or 2.5 miles, and DOWN Genesee hill on a skateboard to get to Delridge… neither of which are safe. We’re here to stand for the future, not selfish/destructive tactics. If you haven’t been to Roxhill lately, I’d implore you to go check it out. There is a homeless RV and tent VILLAGE right on the site. We don’t want to drown out your concerns, but had the parks actually kept our parks clean and safe, or accepted our offer to engage, we COULD have scheduled hours to work to limit the disturbance rather than playing cat and mouse. We COULD have kept it as portable wooden ramps, but parks destroyed all the work that these kids had put into building and delivering these ramp. What you are seeing at that spot is 100% reactionary, and a direct result of the parks BULLYING KIDS, DESTROYING kids’ hard work… heck, throwing out the planters and plants that were erected to beautify the area, artwork that was provided by a resident in the building, not to mention KILLING the spirit of these kids that JUST WANT TO SKATE WITHOUT BEING HARRASSED! Skateboarding is an Olympic Sport. Skateboarding is NOT a CRIME!

    • KeepItClean October 7, 2022 (8:56 am)

      Also, Nope… you may be the only one that hasn’t noticed the umpteen bags of trash and debris that has been cleaned up from that lot. It was a pile of trash that the PEOPLE working on it took action to clean up. You’d prefer they left the trash heap there for you to enjoy? That’s the look you want for West Seattle? Not me, Pal!

      • Mae October 7, 2022 (12:07 pm)

        There wasn’t a lot of trash there to begin with. I know because I live directly over the lot. Also, trash doesn’t make sound. The sound of people skating outside my window of all hours of the day and night is the issue here. 

        • KeepItClean October 7, 2022 (7:37 pm)

          Mae, I personally watched those guys haul off at least 7 or 8 contractor sized bags of garbage before anyone ever skated there, and numerous bags since. Also, I have never seen anyone skate there after dusk. Did you mean people skate there from dawn to dusk?

  • Jort October 7, 2022 (9:50 am)

    It is remarkable for people to complain about the “noise” of kids on skateboards while they live next to California Avenue, a street in which constant, all-day automobile and bus traffic literally dwarfs the amount of noise a skateboard makes. When people go for a walk on a snowy day, everybody notices how quiet the city is. That’s because there aren’t any cars. Cars are loud. Skateboards aren’t noisy – they mostly just hurt peoples’ feelings. If you are genuinely concerned about levels of noise, then work to reduce traffic on our city streets. 

    • Mae October 7, 2022 (12:11 pm)

      The sound of cars driving down the street is nothing in comparison to people slapping wood onto cement over and over right in your window. Notice how close the windows are to the lot next time you’re in the area. I don’t think there would be complaints about it if it wasn’t truly bothering people.

  • KeepItClean October 7, 2022 (2:33 pm)

    In reviewing the votes to determine the future of the Morgan Junction Park extension… 163 people responded to the poll to give their opinion on design… But there are already 688 signatures supporting this petition. Just throwing that out… Sorry, I’m a numbers guy.  Also of note, 55% voted to have “structured elements” at Morgan Junction. So, it doesn’t sound like parks has the best interest of the community in mind if they only landscape this area…

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