West Seattle, Washington
16 Friday
According to that postcard received by a reader, Seattle Parks plans an “open house” about West Seattle’s new off-leash area – aka “dog park” – Thursday, June 5. That’ll be the first public Q&A opportunity since the department tabled about it at the West Seattle Farmers’ Market in February. The off-leash area is planned for what’s currently a parking-overflow area south of the West Seattle Stadium parking lot, and that’s where the open-house event on June 5 will be, 4-6 pm. The postcard promises they’ll have new schematic designs to show at the event. The new off-leash area is expected to be built next year.
What had been one of West Seattle’s most visible tent encampments, Rotary Viewpoint Park at 35th/Alaska, was “resolved” last week, as the city’s Unified Care Team puts it. But some campers returned – though none were in streetfront evidence when we passed by this morning – so the city says UCT reps “will return this week to offer available shelter and restore public access to the site.”
That last phrase is key to what’s happening at that site. We got a tip last week about the “resolution,” from someone voicing a concern that it had been done twice recently without notices having been posted. First UCT spokesperson Kate Jacobs told WSB that in the case of last week’s operation, it had been posted the day before. We followed up, wondering about the city’s current rules for advance warning. Jacobs replied:
The City’s approach balances compassion and urgency in helping keep public spaces open and accessible to all. UCT continues to follow the Multi Departmental Administrative Rules and FAS Encampment Rule 17-01 (collectively called MDARs), which are the rules and legal parameters that govern UCT’s work.
The Rotary Viewpoint Park encampment qualified under these rules for immediate removal since it obstructed access to a public right-of-way. City policy is to provide offers of shelter whenever possible when removing obstructions and immediate hazards despite not being a requirement under encampment rules. UCT was able to provide the necessary time and resources for that outreach in this case and, on May 9, UCT made 5 offers of shelter and one was accepted ….
While people ultimately decide for themselves when they are ready to come indoors, UCT remains focused on consistent outreach, long-term engagement, and improving conditions for both our housed and unhoused neighbors.
If you are concerned about an encampment, city reps continue to advise reporting it via Find It, Fix It.
Hours after the aforementioned water-polo match, Colman Pool opened to the public for the first time this year. Noon today marked the start of this year’s first preseason weekend. Photojournalist Oliver Hamlin, who showed us a behind-the-scenes look at the outdoor saltwater pool’s final preparations, went back today. Above is Ed W., who’s been swimming at Colman Pool since he was 10, using the fastest lane today. Below, lifeguard Jude M. watches over the pool during this afternoon’s brief drizzle:
Jimmy, who was first to tip us when this year’s opening day was revealed, shared this observation: “Despite the chilly temperatures, there was a solid turnout — I counted around 32 lap swimmers in the water. No one was there for recreational swimming (understandably, given the cooler weather), but the lifeguards responded quickly to the lap lane demand and added a fifth lane, which was great to see.”
During the preseason, Colman Pool will be open to the public for four hour-and-a-half sessions between noon and 7 each Saturday and Sunday, until it starts 7-day-a-week operations in mid-June. If you’ve never been, it’s on the shore at Lincoln Park, and getting there requires walking, running, or rolling.
Photos by Oliver Hamlin for WSB
On Saturday, Colman Pool on the Lincoln Park shore officially opens for the year, and one last work party today got it ready. Photojournalist Oliver Hamlin was there for WSB. Above, lifeguards Rommel D (left) and Patrick K dismantle an old lane line before discarding it in a dumpster outside the pool. This year Colman Pool has new lane lines and reels thanks to a donation from the Greater Seattle Swimming Association. You can see them in the next photo, behind Aquatic Technical Supervisor Robert Danielson preparing the diving board:
Lifeguard Patrick K tested out the diving board after installation:
Another kind of board was also addressed today – the protective wooden boards were removed from the Plexiglas around the pool (we showed you a reader photo of the work in progress earlier).
Other work was done inside. Below, Aquatic Center Coordinator Wendy Van De Sompele points toward the filtration system in the Colman Pool pump room. The pump room contains a mix of newer and original pipes from the 1940s.
These are the wells that bring Puget Sound water into Colman Pool, visible during low tide today. The pool can only be filled during high tide, meaning sometimes work must get done in the middle of the night.
Colman Pool celebrated its milestone 75th anniversary nine years ago. This year, as we first reported last month, it’ll be open for “preseason weekends” through mid-June, then seven days a week (except for swim-meet closures June 26-28 and July 18-19) through September 1, and two “postseason weekends” after that. For those who have asked about the slide, it’s only open during private events; they’re keeping it out of service the rest of the time, Van De Sompele told us, because it gets in the way of lap swimming and creates staffing challenges, and the diving board is considered a more accessible feature to keep open.
See the pool schedule here; plus, you can get a sneak peek at the pool during Friday night’s West Seattle Water Polo matches starting at 6:20 pm.
Thanks to the three readers who sent photos and info about three Lincoln Park sightings, starting with tree trouble:
Huge fallen oak tree limb on the north stairs at Lincoln Park, the ones that were recently closed for the stair maintenance
From another reader, this sighting of what appears to be a poisonous weed:
Sharing a safety alert: there is a lot of poison hemlock growing in Lincoln Park between the south playfield and south restroom. The one by the restroom (NW corner) would be especially easy for a small child or a dog to snag a piece of and eat. The bigger patch (south of field, north of the concrete) is also very exposed. I’ve alerted Parks and King County noxious weeds department but unsure how quickly these will be addressed so thought you may want to post a warning.
Here’s a closer look at, and more information about, this plant.
Finally, from Dawn, who spotted this on the shore:
Panels coming down at Colman.
As we reported a month ago, Saturday is the first preseason-weekend day for the only city-owned outdoor salt-water swimming facility, Colman Pool, but you’ll see activity there tomorrow too (Friday, May 9, 6:20 pm) as the West Seattle Water Polo team hosts a home game!
Thanks to Stewart L. for the three photos of signs sighted at Don Armeni Boat Ramp shortly after its repaired floating docks reopened this week. The one above doesn’t seem to convey anything particularly new, but then there are these:
And these …
As for the docks, they’ve indeed fully reopened – we took these photos on Friday:
The floating docks were removed last November, pronounced unsafe because of damage just months after they had been installed in a years-in-the-works project
(Scouts and volunteers at Camp Long – photo by Erik Bell)
By Hayden Yu Andersen
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
Camp Long got TLC Sunday from more than 70 volunteers and Girl Scouts from 11 troops, pulling up invasive weeds, picking up trash, and helping spread fresh wood chips across a handful of campsites as part of a yearly Earth Day cleanup event.
“This year has been easier,” said Maya, one of the Scouts in attendance. Maya and fellow Girl
Scout Izzy attended the first cleanup last year, but this year they’re acting as youth leaders, helping younger Girl Scouts participate in the event.
Camp Long is traditionally the location of the local West Seattle Girl Scout Summer Day Camp. When deciding what they would do for Earth Day last year, event organizer Alexa Huggins said the park seemed like the perfect choice. Huggins is with Service Unit 550, which encompasses all Girl Scout troops in West Seattle and Vashon.
The help has an impact beyond just cleaning up the park. In November of last year, historic Camp Long Lodge was the target of an arson attack which caused an estimated $1.2 million in damages, and led to the loss of many historical documents. So this was heartening. “We really appreciate the love and support, especially right now,” said Camp Long supervisor Matt Kostle, who was there to help organize and assist volunteers on his day off.
(WSB photo by Hayden Andersen)
“(The Girl Scouts) get very excited, because they care about this camp. Especially after the fire, a lot of them want to know what they can do to help,” Huggins said.
(Scouts hold up their finds – WSB photo by Hayden Andersen)
The younger scouts were especially excited, seeking out the most interesting pieces of trash to show off. The highlight of the day by far was Troop 42886’s Eleanor and Dela, who managed to find an old bucket, broken baseball bat and a plastic easter egg which they theorized was “eaten by a squirrel”.
(Huggins speaking to scouts and volunteers – photo by Erik Bell)
Next year, Huggins said, they’ll have to set up a reward for the most interesting piece of garbage picked up by the scouts.
The tools for the event were supplied by Erik Bell of our area’s most prolific volunteer cleanup group, A Cleaner Alki. Bell says it’s a good experience for everyone to get involved in cleaning local parks, especially younger people. “It helps to get them out here, and show them that they can make a difference.”
If you’re interested in supporting cleanups like these, Bell says you can support A Cleaner Alki here. To get involved with Girl Scouts by volunteering or joining, find out more here.
Thanks to Nathan for the photos! Looking for someplace new to take your little one(s) to play? If you can get over the ridge to South Park, the play area at this brand-new park is an option. The park is South Park Plaza, on what was most recently a big gravel lot southwest of the South Park Bridge. The grand-opening celebration is happening until 2 pm, with speeches and a ribbon-cutting:
The city infopage for the project says the almost-one-acre park has been in the works for seven years, at a cost of $2.6 million.
Thanks to Stewart L. (above) and Bob Burns (below) for the photos and tips that the Don Armeni Boat Ramp floating-dock work appeared close to completion.
We obtained this update from Seattle Parks spokesperson Karen O’Connor: “The float fabricator is finishing up and should be completed with their work today. We have scheduled the substantial completion walk-thru for Tuesday. We anticipate both docks will be open on May 1.” That’s next Thursday; the floats were removed almost half a year ago, because of damage and deterioration, despite being relatively new. The same contractor that did the original work, Bellingham Marine, is re-doing it now.
The photo and report are from Laura:
A box of someone’s family Christmas ornaments / decorations was found in the alley behind my house near Admiral Safeway this morning. It looks like it was stolen and dumped. Could you post a photo of this box to see if I might connect it to the owner?
Recognize it? Contact us and we’ll connect you.
After reader tips, we headed to Don Armeni Boat Ramp at noontime and found work crews finally doing major work on the float replacements. We checked with Seattle Parks, whose spokesperson Karen O’Connor confirmed to WSB, “Bellingham Marine has mobilized at the site and is beginning repairs to the float system. We anticipate the work to be completed by the first week in May. SPR requested the fabricator open one side first, so at least we can restore partial service in April.”
Don Armeni has been without extended dock floats for almost half a year, since the then-newly-installed floats had to be removed because of “abnormal wear.” Parks has since elaborated on the problem as “the hinges between the floats (were) failing and the concrete on the floats (was) spalling and cracking.”
(WSB file photo, SPD at Alki on a summer night)
As we’ve reported, the city is moving toward an earlier closing time for Alki Beach Park this spring/summer – and beyond. But what else is planned to address safety concerns as warmer weather brings more people to the regionally renowned beach? The Alki Community Council invites you to this Thursday’s monthly gathering, this time at Alki Bathhouse (60th/Alki), to hear from and talk with a panel of people working on the issue. Here’s the ACC announcement:
Reminder: Alki Community Council Meeting – Thursday, April 17th
Special Summer Safety Prep Meeting* New Location: Alki Bathhouse
* New Start: 6:30-8 pm (In-person only)We’re switching things up this month as we take it to the beach—right where it matters most. Our meeting at Alki Bathhouse is all about the beach: how we can protect it, and the people who live and visit here.
As we prepare for a busy summer with environmental and ongoing safety concerns—amid a 300+ officer shortage—you’ll hear directly from those on the front lines of guardianship of both people and our parks.
What makes this meeting special? We’re bringing together voices from 8th grade changemakers to top city leaders—all committed to keeping Alki safe, clean, and cared for.
Speaker Lineup:
Explorer West Middle School 8th Graders – Youth-led action item.
Captain Krista Bair, SPD SW Precinct commander
Jon Jainga, Seattle Parks Security & Emergency Mgmt.
Tracy Cramer, SPU Clean City / Litter Abatement
Seattle Park Rangers
Dave Delgado, Seal Sitters –– Wildlife crisis responseBring your questions and concerns, and join us to help keep the place we love safe and beautiful.
Story by Jason Grotelueschen
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
Summer visitors to some of West Seattle’s most popular parks will likely have slightly fewer hours to enjoy them.
As we’ve been reporting (including last week, and a couple of weeks before that), Seattle Parks had been considering “permanent seasonal” reductions (Memorial Day to Labor Day, for all upcoming summers) to the hours during which several parks across the city are open, including our own Alki Beach Park and Don Armeni Boat Ramp, as well as a permanent reduction in hours for Hamilton Viewpoint Park.
On Thursday night, the city’s advisory Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners held a public hearing and vote, and the board unanimously approved the proposal, which now goes to the Parks superintendent Anthony-Paul (“AP”) Diaz (who was in attendance on Thursday night) to issue a final decision, which would be followed by necessary city clerk filings and then updates to parks signage and websites.
Of the impacted Seattle parks that are specifically in the West Seattle area, the now-approved proposal calls for:
The meeting on Thursday was a “hybrid” forum, with the board and a handful of in-person attendees gathering downtown at Seattle Parks HQ, while others joined online via Zoom. Public participation was light, with two “general commenters” who signed up and offered thoughts about overall parks concerns, but zero commenters signed up or in attendance to speak specifically about the proposed hourly changes. However, commission members did make reference to some emailed comments from West Seattle residents, as well as “comments on the West Seattle Blog,” summarized as such:
From last month’s meeting slides, here are two tables showing the city-wide changes that were proposed and now approved:
Commissioners noted that the rationale for the changes included fire safety (particularly for Alki and Golden Gardens), managing late-night noise and problematic “non-boating activity” on the boat ramps, and aligning hours and resources with SPD and other resources. Commissioners added that although public commentary on the issue was minimal, the department had done the best it could to get the word out via their web and social channels, and in local news and blogs and social media. Two commissioners suggested the need for a future “comprehensive approach” to park hours, noting that numerous parks (such as Ravenna) have late-night hours but minimal/no lighting, which probably should be evaluated, and others agreed.
In Thursday’s meeting, commissioners discussed the general positive sentiment about the proposal among board members, and among the (admittedly small) number of comments gathered online and via email (again, there was nobody signed up to comment at Thursday’s meeting). Based on that, they agreed to call for a vote rather than to delay a vote to a later meeting (the board meets again on April 24), and the motion then passed unanimously.
Aside from the park-hours discussion, there were a handful of other West Seattle mentions during other portions of the meeting agenda:
(File photo – trail in Puget Park)
If your Saturday isn’t all booked up … volunteer slots remain for a work party at Puget Park, 9 am-noon tomorrow (Saturday, April 12). From the invitation:
Excited to host you all at Puget Park for a little park volunteer fun. Appreciate you all coming out. We will be re-constructing a bit of trail and removing some invasive blackberries. All ages OK.
What to Bring
Gloves, water, snack & proper attire (may get muddy). I have gloves if needed and plenty of tools. Also please note there is no bathroom on site.Where to Meet
19th Ave SW & SW Dawson
If you can go, please register here ASAP!
By Hayden Yu Andersen
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
This Thursday (April 10), the city’s advisory Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners is holding a public hearing and possible vote on park-hours changes for this summer. Some of the proposals concern West Seattle parks, as we first reported last month.
If you’d like to attend the hearing or provide comments on the proposed changes, you can show up in-person or on Zoom, as explained on the agenda document. The meeting is at Parks HQ at 100 Dexter Ave. N. downtown and begins at 6:30 pm Thursday.
Key points of the proposal: Permanent seasonal changes that will apply every summer going forward are proposed for several parks, including Alki Beach.
The proposal basically would have parks closing one hour earlier. Here’s the slide used during last month’s briefing, which shows the proposed hourly changes for Alki and other parks.
“Seasonal” means Memorial Day to Labor Day, in this context.
Another West Seattle waterfront park, Don Armeni Boat Ramp on Harbor Avenue, also has a seasonal hour change proposal from 24 hours to 4 am to 10:30 pm, which is in alignment with the proposed hour changes for Alki and others.
One more West Seattle note – Hamilton Viewpoint Park has a proposed permanent hourly change from 4 am to 11:30 pm to 6 am to 10 pm.
As explained on the agenda document, if you want to comment during the hearing, sign up via email before 5 pm Thursday. The final decision is up to SPR Superintendent AP Diaz to make next month.
(Colman Pool, photographed in 2017 by Long Bach Nguyen)
Thanks to Jimmy for the tip! Colman Pool – the heated outdoor salt-water pool at Lincoln Park – is opening sooner and closing later this year, with more pre-season and post-season weekends than last year. Here’s what’s on the pool’s website so far:
Preseason Weekends: May 10 – June 15, 2025
Colman Pool will operate Preseason Weekends from May 10 to June 15.
Saturdays, Sundays, and Memorial Day (May 26)
Each day will have 4 swims:12:00 pm – 1:30 pm
1:45 pm – 3:15 pm
3:45 pm – 5:15 pm
5:30 pm – 7:00 pmEach swim will have 4 lap lanes (50 meters) and 1/2 open pool for recreational use. The 1-meter diving board will be open.
The “main season” will be June 16 – Sept. 1, and the postseason weekends will be September 6-7 and 13-14; no scheduling specifics for those yet. If you’re interested in renting the pool for events/parties, those bookings open tomorrow (Tuesday, April 8) according to the website, and usually go fast.
With about two months to go until Memorial Day, Seattle Parks has just unveiled its proposed plan for Alki Beach Park and Don Armeni Boat Ramp hours this summer – and it’s proposing a permanent change for Hamilton Viewpoint Park. Deputy superintendent Daisy Catague just briefed the Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners on this year’s proposed hours, pending a public hearing and vote next month. First, from the slide deck used for the briefing, here’s the list including Alki (which would have the same closing time as last summer):
“Seasonal” means Memorial Day to Labor Day, Catague explained. The key word on that slide, however, is “permanent”; for the last several years, changes have been made, always explained as a “pilot” project. Parks is also proposing a permanent seasonal change for Don Armeni Boat Ramp:
Parks also is proposing permanently shifting Hamilton Viewpoint Park hours, currently 4 am to 11:30 pm, changing to 6 am to 10 pm. Catague says there was a pilot of those hours dating back to 2015. If you want to have a say in the process, here’s the timeline:
The hearing and vote will be at meetings of the Parks and Rec Board, and you can participate either in person at Park HQ downtown, or remotely – agendas will appear here.
(Hiawatha CC last week – photo sent by Al)
The newest projected reopening dates for long-closed Hiawatha Community Center and Play Area projects were just announced by District 1 City Councilmember Rob Saka, both for next year. His announcement says Seattle Parks expects that work at the community center will be done in time for a reopening in January 2026, while the play area renovation will be complete in spring 2026. The delays for the community center are explained as a dramatic expansion in project scope:
What began as a stabilization project has evolved into a FULL-SCALE renewal after uncovering significant defects in the original structure – including its infamous heat trap due to poor insulation and outdated infrastructure. The comprehensive upgrades now include seismic retrofitting, modernized kitchens, improved restrooms, renewal of the HVAC utility to an electrified system, and revitalized child-care spaces. The extended timeline was to accommodate a full decarbonization that was made possible by funding that was prioritized by community members during the 2023 Seattle Park District Cycle 2 planning process.
The result will be a greatly enhanced public space, improving the functionality of the building, addressing long-term maintenance concerns, and enhancing the historic aspects of this building. The eventual reopening will mark a significant milestone for Seattle Parks as Hiawatha becomes the City’s first fully electric community center!
Work at the community center finally began a year ago, four years after it was closed; previous explanations for the delay had involved a half-million-dollar grant (about a sixth of the project’s budget).
Meantime, the play area work is expected to go out to bid late this summer, with construction expected to be complete in spring of next year. Councilmember Saka’s emailed announcement (read it in full here) explains, “This new play area had some delays due to changes in the City of Seattle’s stormwater code that required months of additional documentation,” as Parks explained back in January.
P.S. If you have questions about the Hiawatha projects, Parks’ project manager is scheduled to be at the next Admiral Neighborhood Association general gathering, 7 pm Tuesday, May 13, at Admiral Church.
On this first day of spring, another look ahead to summer – Admiral Music in the Parks will return for another year! You can help ensure the three-concert series has awesome music – here’s the announcement from coordinator Meagan Loftin:
The Admiral Neighborhood Association is excited to bring back AMP: Admiral Music in the Parks (formerly Summer Concerts at Hiawatha) for its 16th year! AMP is a beloved community event that brings neighbors and visitors of all ages out for three weeks of free family-friendly concerts in our beautiful city parks.
Mark your calendars for July 17th, 24th, and 31st and follow us on Instagram @admiralneighborhood for more details in the future.
Join us in creating the best and biggest year for AMP yet! Your support funds local musicians while also providing free community programming to everyone in our neighborhood.
AMPlify your summer and consider donating here today!
Last year’s biggest concert was the series finale, The Abbagraphs at Belvidere Park (WSB coverage here).
Two updates on the Alki Elementary construction (on the site of the old school, 3010 59th SW):
ABOVE-GROUND CONSTRUCTION: Two weeks ago, we mentioned the slab pour. That paved the way – literally – for the framing, which is visible from outside the construction fencing, as our photo shows. You can get an on-site view from the project webcam.
ADDED: Here’s a view from above, courtesy of Don Brubeck:
PLAYGROUND CONCEPTS: Seattle Public Schools project spokesperson Tina Christiansen told us the project website has just been updated with a preview of the play equipment that’s in the works for the city-owned playground on the north side of the school (south side of Alki Playfield). Here’s one of the boards you’ll see at that link:
Alki Elementary is scheduled to move into the new school for the 2026-2027 school year, and SPS says the playground should be complete in “early-to-mid-2026,” in collaboration with Seattle Parks.
Thanks to Troy for the tip. Seattle Parks has reopened a West Seattle trail:
Good news! Our Trails Crew has been hard at work restoring the Lincoln Park North Bluff Trail, including repairing the staircase and retaining wall. We’re thrilled to announce that the trail is now REOPENED!
Thank you to everyone for your patience and support while we got everything back in shape.
By Judy Pickens
Special to West Seattle Blog
Digital wayfinding in Fauntleroy Park has just gone live.
The Fauntleroy Watershed Council is introducing this resource so that anyone with a smartphone can navigate the park’s well-maintained trails and learn about points of interest along the way. It works like this:
-Locate the poster showing the map below on the kiosk at the SW Barton or 97th St. entrance to the park. (You may instead go directly to fauntleroywatershed.org/index.php/park or here to access the map.)
-Scan the QR code on the poster to download a geo-referenced map using Avenza Maps from fauntleroywatershed.org. (You may instead download a static map to use as a guide.)
The program will follow you as you walk the trail and provide information about points of interest when you come to them.
With input from other volunteers, Tracy Randle and Sam To worked on the project over several months. They were drawn to the technical challenge as well as by wayfinding’s potential as an education tool. Chris Nack made sure that users will find the map and text about points of interest on the council’s website (fauntleroywatershed.org).
“This initial edition of the map incorporates existing points of interest,” Tracy said, including the tree walk created in 2023. “It’s now our baseline for adding features that visitors suggest and as habitat features change over time.”
Members of the project team will be demonstrating the map during the Fauntleroy Community Association Annual Meeting and Food Fest on March 18, starting at 6 pm in The Hall at Fauntleroy (9131 California SW). Park visitors may submit updates to the map anytime at fauntleroywatershed.org/index.php/contact.
If you’ve been by Alki Beach since this morning, you might have noticed the white tagging all but covering the relatively new sea-life mural on that also-relatively-new restroom building. Alki resident Cami photographed it very early in the morning. We don’t show tags in their entirety, but are showing just a small part of it above; her photos show the damage is extensive. Since the restroom is a Seattle Parks facility, we contacted them first and heard back this afternoon, “The artist will be attending to the graffiti. We’ll let them assess and determine the path forward.” We subsequently contacted the artist, Patrick Nguyen aka Dozfy, and he first asked for a photo, while telling us, “Most likely I will repaint it depending on the extent of graffiti.” Updates to come. You’ll recall we recently reported on a report related to problems keeping Seattle Parks from fully opening all its restrooms; vandalism like this was among those problems.
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