OPEN! After seven years, Lincoln Park has a South Play Area again

In July 2017, the Lincoln Park South Play Area was closed for safety concerns, later described as wood damage from termites. At the time they warned repairs or replacement might take until the following year. Instead, it took seven years. Most of the fencing finally came down this afternoon, and the play area was open when we went to the park this evening to confirm.

Besides the spyhopping orca, the marine features requested by community members in 2017-2018 include this:

Set into the concrete are footprints telling a story:

Fresh bark chips surround all the features.

You’ll still find a few spots of fencing, including mesh around areas that either have been or will be seeded:

Work on the $600,000 project was started in January but shelved for a while when the contractor redirected efforts to finish the Westcrest Park play area first.

West Seattle Mad Sci Guy August 2, 2024 (11:03 pm)

Just curious – has it been described why it took 7 years instead of 1 year? COVID explains 2ish of the 7 years. ‘Finish Westcrest first’ explains another portion of a year. But 7 years instead of ~3 is a big difference.

The King August 3, 2024 (8:31 am)

While some jobs are allowed to be bid on by outside contractors, I’m not sure about this one. This is a very good example of why we should want the government to do the least. When they do a poor job, who do we complain to, the government? In a lot of ways the bigger it becomes the service gets worse, competition is a good thing.
- WSB August 3, 2024 (10:27 am)
  
  Parks does not build its own playgrounds, nor most other projects (same for SDOT, SPU, every government agency that we routinely cover). We reported on the bidding process, the choice of a contractor, etc.
WS Res August 3, 2024 (10:09 am)

As has been explained many times here in past stories, the construction boom (and short staffing) during COVID meant many small projects didn’t even attract bidders for a long time. At the same time, fabrication got backed up literally for years – and still is in many cases; a friend of mine owns a museum exhibit design/build company and they are sometimes told by fabricators that components will take years to deliver.
- Kyle August 3, 2024 (12:16 pm)
  
  As someone who followed this playground, that is not the case. It took 6 years for Parks to put it out to bid. Not having bidders wasn’t the reason. We have gotten no explanation from Parks, but over the years I emailed with several Parks Project Mangers who played hot potato with it. My educated guess is high turnover at Parks, too much bureaucratic process from Seattle city government, and no big group making noise (until years later) meant they just didn’t care and kicked the can down the road. Hiawatha projects and their long delays are another example. I am glad it is open now.

River August 3, 2024 (12:14 am)

Well, it’s about GDT.

Josh August 3, 2024 (10:34 am)

No, we remain on PCT.

Ted August 3, 2024 (8:01 am)

Ridiculous that this tiny park took this long..shame on Seattle parks

Kt August 3, 2024 (11:58 am)

I didn’t know Seattle Parks was in charge of the global supply chain….
- Molly August 3, 2024 (6:50 pm)
  
  This wasn’t about supply chain. This closed down when my daughter was 6. She’s 13 now. Lots of years spent without the area we played in the most. It was design planning first, then waiting on plans from designers, then covid, then prices went up so they couldn’t afford it now, etc. this was all because the parks department delayed it in the beginning by having no urgency because the north playground had recently been refinished- despite public outcry

WS Resident August 3, 2024 (10:32 am)

Disappointing to see that the Seattle Parks Department chose to maintain the playground instead of increasing the capacity of the nearby parking lot. Children playing will only disrupt the birds, and more parking would allow those with mobility concerns to also enjoy the beach.

I will be writing a strongly worded letter to my representatives! They cannot keep developing our nature reserves like this. Having fun is not the point of a park.

Daniel Y August 7, 2024 (8:29 am)

we are officially at a point where I can’t tell if this is satire or not.

Stephanie August 3, 2024 (11:38 am)

Lots of kiddos enjoying the new park this morning! Only complaint is the need for another set of trash cans. Great space for lots of ages!

Jort August 3, 2024 (3:09 pm)

$600,000 in 2024 dollars or in 2017 dollars?

WSB August 3, 2024 (5:28 pm)

Our coverage mentioned that price in 2018.

Loafer August 3, 2024 (3:20 pm)

Me: “Spent the first 6.5 years growing the trees to produce the bark chips…”Wife: “No they ran out of funding because all the money was spent putting in speed bumps around West Seattle.”Me: “I thought they were going to close down all the small schools. Do we even have kids in West Seattle anymore?”Wife: “Didn’t there used to be a zip line down here? The new playground looks pretty tame”Me: “You don’t want to encourage them!”

KLR5 August 3, 2024 (3:20 pm)

Lots of complainers here! However, let’s look on the bright side. It’s done! And there is something for all ages. I, for one, am glad there is a tots area that’s better than the one on the north side. Super stoked to take my son here and then be able to hit up the water area if we want.

Denise August 3, 2024 (3:46 pm)

It is a wonderful playground, and the kids were loving it. Really beautiful! I particularly liked how the swings looked out toward the water, and the orca is very cool.