From park site, to true park: Ercolini labor of love under way

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Just west of The Junction at midday today, those kids played in a space that is taking shape as their future neighborhood playground, at Ercolini Park, while dozens of adults labored just feet away to install the playground equipment that just arrived:

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Here’s video of both aforementioned groups in action:

The volunteers’ work at Ercolini continues 9 am-3 pm tomorrow, and is a major milestone in a transformation that’s been years in the making. Around this time last year, the park site was still a large grassy lot – former family homestead, sold to the city Parks Department:

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In the ensuing months, neighborhood volunteers received a city grant — matching funds for cash and volunteer-time commitments that they worked hard to procure; now they’re cashing in on that volunteer help – and looking forward to a grand-opening celebration within a matter of weeks. By the way, if you live in any of the areas around The Junction, stop by Ercolini tomorrow to not only see what’s happening, but also to familiarize yourself with the site’s new status as your neighborhood gathering place in case of disaster – between 10 am and 2 pm, a table with safety info will be set up like the one last weekend in Morgan Junction (and other events that have happened in Alki and Pigeon Point; check the map in this post for other upcoming events – we’ll have updates soon for additional neighborhoods).

5 Replies to "From park site, to true park: Ercolini labor of love under way"

  • miws April 27, 2008 (3:17 am)

    I find it very impressive that not only did the kids do all of that excavation and the concrete pour, but thay did it all with TONKA trucks! :P

    .

    Mike

  • Creighton April 27, 2008 (11:09 am)

    Anyone know what’s up with the plot of land that, recently cleared of it’s house, just north of Ercolini? Is that going to be more of the park or a new townhome or something? Thought it was odd that it wasn’t lumped in with the park, but torn down after the park was started.

  • WSB April 27, 2008 (1:42 pm)

    someone e-mailed me about this a few weeks ago. this is from my reply to that person:

    it was demolished per an abatement order according to this city
    page http://web1.seattle.gov/DPD/permitstatus/Project.aspx?id=6172240

    the abatement order seems related to this:
    http://web1.seattle.gov/DPD/permitstatus/Project.aspx?id=1014457

    Permits are not granted but “initial information is collected” for
    permit applications for two single-family residences
    http://web1.seattle.gov/DPD/permitstatus/Project.aspx?id=6167830
    http://web1.seattle.gov/DPD/permitstatus/Project.aspx?id=6167827

  • BB April 27, 2008 (5:09 pm)

    Thanks to EVERYONE who rolled up their sleeves to help this weekend or just stopped by to see what was happening. I saw Mr. Ercolini later in the day Sunday and he seemed VERY happy and VERY proud.

  • Karin May 13, 2008 (6:13 pm)

    Does anyone know if there is date yet for the park’s opening day? My kids and I are new to the neighborhood (on 48th) and so excited to meet our neighbors at the new park. Thanks to everyone involved for the years of work to get the project underway.

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