FOLLOWUP: After 2,577 days, Lincoln Park South Play Area is a few more days away from reopening, Parks says

Last estimate from Seattle Parks on the completion of Lincoln Park South Play Area construction, seven years after safety concerns closed the old play structure, was a reiteration of “July.” July is now over, so we went to the park this morning, and noted that fencing is still up and the play area appears to have a few finishing touches left (our photos were taken looking over the fence):

So we then pinged Parks. Their update: “Final inspections took place Wednesday 7/31 and the contractor is addressing items that need to be corrected through the end of this week. The fence will be removed by this weekend.” You can browse our past coverage of the project here. The marine theme for the new play area was chosen with community participation in 2018.

FRIDAY EVENING UPDATE: As noted below in comments, the fencing really is down and the play area is open; we just went over for pics and will write a separate update later.

Hair: A Parent August 1, 2024 (2:51 pm)

$600,000 bucks and seven years to result in THAT is an absolute shame. I wonder how much of the budget lined pockets along the approval chain (“tips” as SCOTUS has blessed the practice). West Seattle deserved better just like we deserved a bridge that should have held up to the originally projected life span. I can only imagine how soon the first child gets injured when it starts falling apart. Well, at least we didn’t green light a $1.7 million single stall public toilet like San Francisco did.

Alki resident August 1, 2024 (3:12 pm)

I fully agree. A house could’ve been built for that amount of money. I wonder when they’ll replace the kiddie pool for a million bucks. It’s amazing how much money gets wasted and put into the hands of undeserving people. Zero accountability. A team of parents could’ve built that for much less.
- K August 1, 2024 (4:33 pm)
  
  Not sure how much building or remodeling you’ve done lately, but that’s a TINY house if you’re only spending $600,000. Six hundred thousand is, like, a kitchen addition.
  - Alki resident August 1, 2024 (4:47 pm)
    
    Not sure what kind of experience in building you have but one was built for under 6 recently and it’s stunning thanks.
  - Not K August 2, 2024 (10:15 am)
    
    According to Forbes, the national average to build a house is $389,000. In Washington, it’s about $343,000 before land (which in this hypothetical already exists in Lincoln Park), permits, and furnishing. $600,000 total would cover significantly more than a tiny house and definitely should have covered more than the playground we’re receiving. The public deserves a paper trail and transparency, especially after the revelation of how much money and ‘gifts’ supreme court justices have been receiving. If we witness this level of corruption at the peak of our government, it can only be imagined how much is happening at lower levels.
  - Person August 2, 2024 (11:10 am)
    
    LOL”it’s one banana Michael, how much could it cost, $10?”

Lucy August 1, 2024 (3:21 pm)

New Course Record!! Parks may want to rethink approach.. We should of installed sign board tracking days # . No one has played in this park for “X” Days ..

whereisourplayground August 2, 2024 (9:08 am)

the days have been being tracked at https://whereisourplayground.org/parks/lincoln-park-south/ I will be out of town for the next week or so, so I will update the day total if the place manages to open this weekend, when I return .

JCW August 1, 2024 (3:55 pm)

Hooray for more swings!! We often wait for a turn at the set down by the water. Excited to have more on the south end of LP and to check out this giant Orca!

ExcitedWSMom August 1, 2024 (4:43 pm)

We are super excited for this playground! Now we can make a beach and playground run easier for parents with small children. The photographs don’t do it justice, it’s way larger than it appears. There is a play structure for bigger kids, one for toddlers, swings and a ropes course type play structure where the old zip line was. Love it!

Wsmom August 2, 2024 (3:43 pm)

Is any of this playground accessible? Even if they claim some features are accessible woodchips negates that to a large degree as they are hard to navigate for people with mobility devices.

Outta time August 1, 2024 (5:01 pm)

I’m so glad my 19-year-old can now play on the swings. Thanks parks! Just love the efficiency and cost accountability.

Morgan August 1, 2024 (6:45 pm)

The dollar amount I expect—costs are truly that crazy. Six years is ridiculous.

Josh August 1, 2024 (7:53 pm)

Seeing as this cost an amount of money that I perceive as large and how this play area does not directly improve my life but only the lives of others, I am against it. J/K. Hooray. I rode by it this week and look forward to seeing it in use in the future, even though it will only enrich the lives of others and took a long time to get done.

1994 August 1, 2024 (9:21 pm)

Even though my child is way beyond the age to utilize this new play equipment I am still excited to go take a look at the new stuff. I have many fond memories of spending hours at this site and down at the beach with my child, digging, digging, digging, building dams, throwing rocks into the water…..Outta time, play equipment is not always needed for kids to have fun.

Ly August 2, 2024 (12:35 am)

Remembering all the excellent and beautiful play spaces and playgrounds we saw in Auckland and, well…this one made me giggle 🤭 Surely, can do better than this?

Bob August 2, 2024 (9:23 am)

What does that say about Seattle Parks and recreation? Very, very sad! But at least finally the kids will get to play!!!!

WSB August 2, 2024 (11:52 am)

As of 11 am, we went by again, fence was still up. We will check again at EOD, but please text if you see it actually open – 206-293-6302 – thank you.