FOLLOWUP: Determining Camp Long lodge’s future, post-fire

| West Seattle fires | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

(Monday night photo by Kerry Antezana)

2:57 PM: Three days after a deliberately set fire gutted the historic lodge at Camp Long, Seattle Parks is still working to determine its future. Parks spokesperson Rachel Schulkin had told us they hoped to have more to say later in the week, so we checked back, also asking about the park’s status overall. Here’s the response:

Currently the department is assessing the damage of the main building at Camp Long. After this assessment we will be able to determine next steps.

The park continues to be closed but we hope to reopen it soon as soon as we can secure the building.

Programming is currently cancelled and we hope to resume in the coming week.

Parks said on Tuesday that damage from the fire is estimated at $1.2 million; two of the park’s rustic cabins were vandalized the same night. Investigators found shattered glass and blood droplets; no new information about the investigation so far.

The lodge went through a million-dollar renovation back in 2010.

ADDED 3:50 PM: We also followed up with District 1 Councilmember Rob Saka‘s office. Chief of staff Elaine Ikoma Ko tells WSB they’ve been talking to both SPD and Parks and “We let them know that we stand prepared to support next steps. So we are waiting and monitoring this closely.”

Alki resident November 14, 2024 (3:09 pm)

Rebuild it. It’s a historic building and it’s West Seattles treasure. Future generations will experience what we once did. This should be a no brainer.

Andrew November 14, 2024 (3:32 pm)

Exactly. Just rebuild it. Camp Long is a gem.
- Alki resident November 14, 2024 (3:44 pm)
  
  It sure is! We spent more than that in city encampment dump runs. This has to be brought back to life.
hmmm November 14, 2024 (4:30 pm)

Where will the budget come from? And what will we NOT do so that we can afford it? Less police? Fewer teachers? Money doesn’t grow on trees. Honestly, I have lived in West Seattle for almost 20 years and I’ve been to Camp Long maybe twice – and I’m willing to be that that’s more than most adults that didn’t grow up here. I’m sorry, it’s awful and I know it was part of your childhood, but we need to prioritize. I’d rather see the area be natural. We need more quiet green spaces.
- Julia November 14, 2024 (10:18 pm)
  
  You don’t go there so that makes it not valuable? That’s not how society works.
- Scrunchyjam November 15, 2024 (8:52 am)
  
  We could use the $2m that Rob Saka is earmarking so that he can make Delridge less safe
- Westsidegirl November 15, 2024 (9:09 am)
  
  What a rude comment! How about we do without some public art for a while? Or someone in the community starts a go fund me to restore this precious community asset..
  - Dogmom1970 December 5, 2024 (12:47 am)
    
    Great idea! Has anyone started a GFM yet?I’d also like to donate some time and effort to help rebuild. I’m sure the city will hire a contractor, but at least let the WS residents (or anyone, for that matter) some help clear out debris.
- Outdoor Joe November 15, 2024 (9:48 am)
  
  Speak for yourself pal. My family goes there quite often especially in the summertime and when they have seasonal events. Schools and youth groups also use it extensively. In October the Seahawks were using it as part of a youth sports program. Let’s restore this often used and well respected community center in the middle of this gorgeous park.
- Didn't Grow Up Here November 15, 2024 (4:58 pm)
  
  Camp Long IS a quiet green space, neighbor. And among its many virtues, this one happens to have some wheelchair accessible features. I’ve been all over it with a kid in a stroller. Why not go more often and see what the fuss is about?
- Scott Collins November 18, 2024 (12:30 am)
  
  Your willingness to make strong comments on a place you don’t know anything about is frustrating . For instance, did you know that Camp Long is 68 acres, bigger than Schmitz Park. Did you know that it has the oldest climbing rock in the country? Did you know it has 10 cabins available at a very low cost for folks wanting an outdoors experience right in our neighborhood? Did you know that there are multiple trails in the park? Did you know that it hosts multiple programs every month including a Shakespeare festival each Summer? And did you know that at the heart of all these things..there is a super cool WPA building with a stone fireplace and meeting spaces…and is almost 100 years old?Pretty cool, huh? Maybe worth saving.
- Sandra (Stone) Danjanic November 18, 2024 (11:52 pm)
  
  If you didn’t grow up there then you have no clue and shouldn’t have a say as far as I am concerned. That place is magical it opens up your mind to all kinds of adventures. I practically lived there it brings back so many memories that I don’t want to loose. It’s beautiful place. I say fight for it.

Jeff F. November 14, 2024 (4:03 pm)

Rob Saka should figure out how to make a turn on Delridge and use the $2 million he wants to waste there on rebuilding Camp Long instead.

Reed November 14, 2024 (7:26 pm)

Comment of the month!
bill November 14, 2024 (8:26 pm)

Public benefit vs personal benefit with a taint of graft? Such are the dilemmas our public officials grapple with.
RickB November 14, 2024 (9:03 pm)

Just naked corruption. Crazy that it looks like it will just sail through?

Marcus November 14, 2024 (4:09 pm)

Rebuild so everyone can enjoy. However that is only half of what is needed. Why did this happen and what steps are needed so that this will not happen again. I am concerned with our green spaces and places like Schmitz Park. Wildfires are happening all over the country. Dry weather and camping in these area can start an internal green space fire that could distroy. No worries during these months but just look around the country. So we need to look ahead and get these campers out of parks and green spaces. Need a plan soon or yes the inevitable will happen. SFD is not equipped to fight forest fires.

The King November 14, 2024 (6:02 pm)

This was arson

clinker November 14, 2024 (4:25 pm)

We could get far more community utility out of this park at lower cost with a modern building. Camp long itself and giving our kids some access to some green space is the gem, not the old barely-usable lodge building.

westseattlebob November 14, 2024 (6:41 pm)

Yes please raze the old in insert new historically ignorant buildings in place of the history in West Seattle. This gentrification of our spaces needs to stop and restoration is the only path forward for this case. There also needs to have someone stationed there all hours to ensure the safety of the area!! @ Rob Saka, pay attention to what we are all asking for. Your removal of barricade so you can access your child’s daycare and installation of artificial turf in a park you use is not the way to your constituents hearts. Figure this out!
- Ts November 14, 2024 (8:40 pm)
  
  I remember when everyone hated the changes to delridge. Most still do. Thank you so much Greg nickles. I also remember when a youth lost his life crossing the street by super 24 as well as residents of the transitional housing being hit as well as a wheelchair user crossing with a green walk by a city light truck, all after the changes. Nothing wrong with revisiting to see if we need to modify or we can all just keep complaining. Can we up the sentences and fines for arson of historic buildings?
RayWest November 15, 2024 (7:58 am)

Sorry, but I’m for preserving West Seattle history, not razing it. We have lost much that makes West Seattle unique to “progress” but this does not have to be a part of that. Looks like there’s much left standing, so let’s rebuilt to what it was, but improve it to make it fully “usable.”

Kt November 14, 2024 (5:07 pm)

Wouldn’t the City have insurance to cover this loss or are they self insured?

Dustin November 14, 2024 (10:06 pm)

This is a good point!
flimflam November 15, 2024 (6:15 am)

That’s a very good point…

Big 5 Guy November 14, 2024 (5:32 pm)

Rebuild with fire-proof materials.

K November 15, 2024 (2:41 pm)

Most fire-proof materials are carcinogens. Even stone can burn.

Sekai rider November 14, 2024 (6:28 pm)

Camp Long is such a bird magnet in spring, it must be saved and maintained and with a rebuilt/repaired stone lodge, hosting all kinds of programs for kids and teens, as well as private parties and celebrations. It’s a west Seattle treasure.

Christine November 15, 2024 (1:33 am)

Sfart a GoFund Me and watch the suppot flow in.

RayWest November 15, 2024 (8:01 am)

Agree with that. I think there’s a huge amount of support for restoring and preserving the Lodge. Let’s get going on a GoFundMe and also set up a Camp Long foundation that can help protect its mission and steer it forward into the future.

anonyme November 15, 2024 (8:50 am)

Given the grotesque amount of money the City wastes on various boondoggles, rebuilding the Lodge should be a no-brainer – especially given that it is (will/would be) a project with such widespread community support.

Sorry, comment time is over.