FOLLOWUP: Parks project problem keeps part of Fairmount Playground fenced off longer

(WSB photo, last month)

One month ago, after a reader tip via a story comment, we reported on a pathway project at the south end of Fairmount Playground/Playfield that was expected to be complete by Labor Day. It wasn’t. Nearby resident Kevin asked Parks why and cc’d us on the thread. In a reply this morning, a Parks rep explained:

The project was originally scheduled for completion by September 1. However, the concrete sidewalk the contractor installed did not (meet) ADA requirements, we had to request its removal and replacement.

The contractor has been working to correct the grades and complete the project as soon as possible. I have requested an updated schedule from them and want to assure you that this remains a high-priority project for us.

According to our previous story, the contractor is Sunset Grill Construction.

HTB September 8, 2025 (1:17 pm)

Seems a silly reason for a do over.

Spike September 8, 2025 (1:41 pm)

I’m pretty sure the whole point of this project was to bring that path up to ADA standards, so it would be much sillier to not demand the contractor redo the work properly.
Ts September 8, 2025 (6:04 pm)

It is a silly reason to redo a path that does not meet ADA standards? Have you never seen someone in a wheelchair, using a walker, missing a limb or using a leg scooter get stuck and/or having to pause on a ramp or pathway because the grade is too difficult? Everyone has a right to access our parks. Parents and Grandparents should be able to bring their youth to parks. Children break legs and or develop or are born with disabilities. Almost Everyone becomes disabled at some point in their lives, even if it is just temporary . People with disabilities are the biggest Bipoc in the world.
Anne September 8, 2025 (7:12 pm)

So ADA compliance is “ silly”? Wow.
- Ts September 9, 2025 (6:58 pm)
  
  Yup, so agree as I hope my comment above shows. How abelist can you get?

Mysterious Commentator September 8, 2025 (2:34 pm)

Our kids go to FPE and the school has said for two weeks now that the Parks department has been promising them completion by X date, that date passing without action, and generally being unresponsive.

They did get them to move the fencing off the asphalt path that leads from Fauntleroy to the playground, and make the playground usable, so that’s something?

Admiral2009 September 8, 2025 (4:30 pm)

I rolled by the site today and saw no one working at the site!

Les September 8, 2025 (7:54 pm)

Well we can hope it won’t take as long as the South Lincoln Park playground or the Morgan giant hole park or Hiawatha Community Center. . . . Seems to be a pattern w/ parks?

Jort September 8, 2025 (8:34 pm)

Huge shock that a Seattle Parks Department project is being delivered late – huge, huge shock to all of us in Seattle. I’m hoping Mayor Wilson will clean house.

Lisa September 10, 2025 (5:28 pm)

HAHAHAHA!!!! That’s cute.

Kyle September 8, 2025 (9:08 pm)

The three blind mice could do oversight better than Parks. They also seek in no rush to give new active timelines even though the elementary school uses that park every day for school recess.

Lisa September 10, 2025 (5:32 pm)

Please, consider this:: Seattle Parks’s budget has lessened greatly because their budget goes to cleaning up after the vagrants who blight out parks, sidewalks, alleys, streets .. et al!!!
- k September 10, 2025 (7:23 pm)
  
  And because our City Councilmember robbed $1.5 million from the existing Parks budget to turf his kids’ field so they can have prettier pictures at Little League. That money was taken from somewhere.
- Kyle September 12, 2025 (3:45 pm)
  
  I did, and routine maintenance of tags, graffiti, etc. is not the reason Parks is incapable of properly managing capital projects.

Parks September 8, 2025 (9:16 pm)

With the swift workmanship of Seattle Parks I am guessing it’ll be done in two more months, any other guesses?

momof3boys September 9, 2025 (8:05 am)

makes me wonder what kind of contractors Parks is hiring. I mean, ADA has been around for decades, all sidewalks should be built accordingly. It’s not rocket science, and it would be in the wheelhouse of a reputable contractor. SMH