West Seattle, Washington
14 Friday
(WSB photos by Torin Record-Sand)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
One year and nine months after a deliberately set fire tore through Camp Long‘s beloved century-old lodge, the rebuild is still years away – now projected for completion in 2032.
That’s part of what we learned this afternoon during a short tour with District 1 City Councilmember Rob Saka and two of the 34th District‘s state legislators this afternoon.
Seattle Parks deputy superintendent Andy Sheffer led the tour and provided the updates to Councilmember Saka, State Sen. Emily Alvarado, State Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon, and more than a half-dozen other state and city reps, including members of the elected officials’ staffs.
Sheffer explained that they’ve done some stabilization/preservation work to keep the lodge from completely falling apart during these years of disuse, with the help of ~$1 million insurance money. And the rebuild is in “pre-design.”
But the funding on hand is only enough to get them a third of the way through design, let alone cover the estimated $10 million cost of construction (and Sheffer said he suspects that’s the very low end of what it’ll cost – the rebuild will likely have to be “something better,” electrified and brought up to ADA standards, among other things).
The state legislators were there in hopes the city can get their support in pursuing about $700.000 in funding to for design. As for where the construction funding might be found, Sheffer said the next Seattle Park District funding cycle is one possibility, and they’re pursuing a variety of sources. Saka wondered if community funding via, for example, the Seattle Parks Foundation were an option, and Sheffer said, that too.
He also said that this remains of intense public interest – one of the leading inquiries they get from community members is, what’s up with the Camp Long Lodge? He briefly recounted its role in park uses from an event venue to a support facility for people using other parts of the park, like its rustic cabins, which are rented for camping and used during park festivals.
He noted that it’s not an official city landmark, but the rebuild will have to deal with features of “historic significance, such as “cobblestone masonry” and “heavy timber”:
WHAT’S NEXT: Besides the quest for funding, they will be starting design work and taking it as far as they can with what they have, so, Sheffer said, watch for community-engagement events early next year. They’ve hired a consultant to start the design work.
On August 10, 1976, that 18-foot-tall totem pole was dedicated at Rotary Viewpoint Park (35th and Alaska). In honor of the 50th anniversary, members of the Rotary Club of West Seattle walked to the park today from their regular lunch-meeting location a short distance away at the WS Golf Course, and gathered for a brief commemoration.
Rotary president Stefanie Felix introduced Tom Wise, who told the park and pole’s story at today’s gathering.
Wise’s five-minute speech included the most notorious chapter in the pole’s history, when it was stolen and recovered in 2009:
Rotarians Duane Ruud and the late Ken Wise relentlessly sleuthed until the pole was found, as extensively covered here at the time. Ruud was among those at today’s celebration:
The pole was reinstalled and rededicated in August 2010, four days before Ken Wise died. In telling the story of the park and pole today, Tom Wise noted that the park “is not just a project of the past (but) a living symbol.”
The pole was carved in 1976 by Native artist Robin Young, who attended the rededication after its reinstallation in 2010. Today’s event was low-key, just part of the club’s weekly meeting, so no special guests were on hand, just a brief acknowledgment of the past and a look ahead to the future.
(Schmitz Park, in the center of pilot/photographer Long Bach Nguyen‘s 2012 image)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
This Saturday, you have a chance to help “save the giants” – joining Schmitz Park Restore leaders and volunteers as they work to remove more of the ivy that’s trying to choke the life out of the park’s old-growth trees.
More on that later. Ahead of the ivy-pulling event, we have an update on the longrunning restoration project publicly unveiled more than two years ago (WSB coverage here). Backstory and future plans were in the talk that Daniel Nye from Schmitz Park Restore gave to the Rotary Club of West Seattle (WSB sponsor) at this week’s lunch meeting. We recorded it all on video:
Hearing about Schmitz Park Restore’s intensive effort to help the park’s ecosystem dovetailed with the West Seattle Rotary’s launch of a sustainability committee, noted new president Stefanie Felix in introducing Nye. If you don’t have time to listen to his presentation, here are the highlights.
He began with backstory, detailing the effort’s founding with Brian Barilleaux (who was in attendance as were several supporters of note, including Vicki Schmitz Block on behalf of the family that donated the parkland long ago – she told the Rotarians that restoring the park “was a dream of the whole Schmitz family”). Schmitz Park Restore is now in its third year and has captivated people peninsula-wide (another introduced lunch guest was “freelance beaver detective” Pamela Adams, who expressed hope that restoring the park’s creek could bring back aquatic wildlife).
The vision, explained Nye, is for Schmitz Park to be held in hearts peninsula-wide as “a gem” – starting with the “native forest that was never logged,” gifted to the city in 1910, and continuing on to restoration of its creek, which currently unceremoniously dumps into a city outfall pipe that runs under Alki and empties, underwater, into Elliott Bay. The question of why it doesn’t flow openly all the way to Puget Sound inspired them to what became a “community-driven partnership with the city of Seattle … to revitalize Schmitz Preserve Park.” Though the original name of the effort focused on the creek, Nye said they realized that before restoring it, “we’ve got work to do” involving more of the park.
(Photo provided by Schmitz Park Restore)
That work has involved an increasing number of volunteers; the monthly ivy pulls, Nye said, lead them to “come together as a community … you never know who’s going to show up.” They’ve done their first planting of native species – 300 plants in the ground.
(2009 Schmitz Park sightings by the late photojournalist Matt Durham, trillium at upper left)
And under some of the ivy they’ve removed, he said, they’ve found plant species like trilliums, “waiting to come back.”
Nye also recounted the UW students’ design proposals shown off in December 2024 (WSB coverage here) – “that got a lot of attention.” And since then, they’ve secured grant funding to help advance studies. As they work on a true “private-public partnership,” he explained, they’re raising $150,000 in matching funds to pay for hydrology studies and other work needed to further advance the work toward envisioning “what route the creek might take” to get from the park to the sea.
He added that they’re talking with Seattle Public Schools about whether the former Schmitz Park Elementary campus could become part of the park and fit into environmental education – at least with “a dedicated trail.”
So many dreams and ideas – right now, all rooted in hands-on help for Schmitz Preserve Park. So if you want to get involved, you can join in this Saturday’s ivy pull, 10 am-noon, meet at Admiral Way and SW Stevens – also, watch for their monthly free guided tours; dates and RSVP links are here.
So many people have emailed/texted about that mystery carving seen off a Lincoln Park trail, we finally have to just ask if anyone has a clue about its origins. Some who contacted us thought it was just a curiosity-piquing mystery; some feared it’s a case of stolen-and-dumped. We haven’t seen it in person ourselves, but we’re told it’s freestanding (or leaning, in the most recent report).
(WSB photo, 2025 AMP concert crowd at Hamilton Viewpoint Park)
One more chance to enjoy outdoor music in a local park, presented by the Admiral Neighborhood Association! Tomorrow (Thursday, July 30), this year’s Admiral Music in the Parks series closes out with Driftwood Drive bringing classic tunes to Hamilton Viewpoint Park (1120 California SW)! As with this year’s two previous AMP concerts, there’ll be a bike/stroller corral for easy parking, plus a knitting circle, board-game library, and crafts. Show starts at 6:30 pm (and don’t forget to bring a chair, mat, etc.). WSB is a community co-sponsor of the series again this year; we’ll see you there!
(Old south-restroom building, photo courtesy Kay Kirkpatrick)
Also from the city today, an update on the Westcrest Park south restroom project. Seattle Parks is planning two info-sessions – the main one will be Saturday August 8, 10 am to noon at the south parking lot entrance (8th/Barton). City staff also plans to be at the Westcrest P-Patch work party on Wednesday, August 5 at 5 pm “for a quick briefing to share the designs directly with you in the garden.” The project is described as follows:
SPR is replacing the south restroom with a prefabricated facility that meets Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements. The SPR team will present the preferred location and design for the new restroom along with restoration options for the old play area footprint left after the former south play area was relocated in 2013. This is an opportunity to provide feedback on the preferred design before announcing the final design in the coming months.
The project team told HPAC in January, as we reported here, that they were looking at a “Portland Loo” type of restroom for the site. The project website also reiterates the same budget numbers mentioned then – $1.35 million total, $823,517 for the restroom, $527,689 for the play-area site. They expect to start construction next spring.
Our photographer went to Hamilton Viewpoint Park for a look at what city notification warned could be a big, loud day of production for the web series “Car Show Rivalry,” potentially restricting park access until early evening. Director Preston Goings told us they’re wrapping up early, likely by 2 pm.
While we were there, they were doing a scene featuring actors, a classic Ford Mustang convertible, and the city skyline.
This is a bootstrapped series – Goings has been releasing episodes via YouTube.
Reminder that – as previewed here – a video crew working on a web series is scheduled to take over Hamilton Viewpoint Park tomorrow, starting up as early as 6 am and continuing as late as 7 pm. Most of the park will be off-limits to the public – see the map above for specifics of what’s happening in which areas of the park. The crew is working on a web series called “Car Show Rivalry“ and worked with the city Office of Economic Development to get a permit.
Seattle Parks is recruiting again for its corps of volunteer Seattle Urban Nature Guides – here’s how to become one!
Become a Seattle Urban Nature Guide This Fall
Do you love spending time outdoors? Are you passionate about connecting people with nature? Join Seattle Parks and Recreation as a Seattle Urban Nature Guide (SUN Guide) and help inspire the next generation of environmental stewards.
Seattle Urban Nature Guides lead hands-on environmental education programs for school groups, families, and community members in parks across the city. Along the way, volunteers build valuable skills in public speaking, leadership, environmental education, and group facilitation while becoming part of a welcoming community of volunteers and staff.
As a SUN Guide, you’ll receive FREE training in environmental education techniques and equity-centered teaching practices before leading engaging programs in Seattle’s forests, beaches, playgrounds, and other natural spaces.
Applications for our Fall 2026 Seattle Urban Nature Guide Training are now open!
Apply by August 4, 2026, to be considered for this fall’s volunteer training cohort.
For additional information about the volunteer role, training schedule, and program expectations, please review the attached Seattle Urban Nature Guide Position Description.
Questions? Email PKSNatureFieldTrips@seattle.gov
A couple readers mentioned the start of key work today on the years-in-the-making Hiawatha Play Area move. Bruce Curtis sent a photo and report with a bittersweet take on one aspect:
This morning the neighborhood’s favorite playground equipment came down. Hiawatha’s big swings left us today. I’ve seen countless babies put in the “bucket” swing, perhaps the first time and mom gently swinging them while taking pictures. Two girls meeting on the swings while talking endlessly and no phone out! Seeing little ones running to them only to wait for the parents to pick them up and put them in. Very popular meeting place. Totally indestructible from the late night visitors. They will be missed. Though will be replaced with short plastic things.
Goodbye.
Similar swing-set swaps have happened at other park over the years (here’s Lowman in 2008). Seattle Parks announced last month that construction would begin this week.
6:41 PM: Steve Aliment and Annie O’Neill are performing country/rock in Belvedere Park right now as the Admiral Neighborhood Association kicks off this year’s three-concert Admiral Music in the Parks series. The day’s soggy start did not dissuade concertgoers – here are some of the first folks to show up:
New this year, as ANA president Joanie Jacobs reminded everyone just before the music began, crafts and a board-game library:
Plus, a stroller and bike corral – and the knitting circle is back. (Bubbles too!) Still time to get here – the music is expected to be on till 8 pm. And if you just can’t be here tonight, the next two Thursday nights have AMP concerts too – different bands, different parks, listed here.
8:00 PM: After a high-energy hour-and-a-half set – and some dancing, as our photo shows – AMP concert #1 is over, chilly but dry; ANA estimates a turnout of 200+. See you at California Place Park (by the ex-Admiral Church turned HUB) next Thursday for Michael Pearsall and Friends!
(Photo courtesy Seattle Parks)
The Camp Long Advisory Council is raising money for programs and evets by offering you the chance to try one of the park’s unique features, its high ropes course The Enchantments. As a fundraiser, they’re opening two sessions on each of three Saturdays – July 11 and August 1 and 22, 9 am-noon and 1 pm-4 pm each day. Participants must be at least 12 years old. Suggested donation is $75 per person. You can read more about it and register here.
Story by Tracy Record
Photos by Torin Record-Sand
for West Seattle Blog
It was a sight Jimie Martin of the Lions Club of West Seattle (above right) had long waited to see.
She didn’t actually “wait.” She fought for almost a decade to get some official TLC for the tiny triangle park where Delridge Way SW, 16th Avenue SW, and SW Roxbury Street meet.
It holds a tribute to veterans, installed by a VFW post that no longer exists:
Fifteen years ago, the then-owner of the adjacent Triangle Pub – “Mac” McElroy, himself a veteran – led an effort to revitalize the small SDOT-owned parklet. We covered that for our partner site White Center Now. But over the ensuing years, it’s deteriorated, and damage from a car crash didn’t help matters. Jimie didn’t think it was right to let the site fall into further disrepair; she and the Lions Club did what they could, but ultimately, it was the city’s responsibiity.
Finally last month, as we reported here, SDOT crews did some work. And a small gathering last night commemmorated that, with Scouting America Troop 799 leading a flag-replacement ceremony, and West Seattle VFW commander Steve Strand speaking.
Here’s our video of his reflections, starting with gratitude and appreciation for the Lions’ advocacy and volunteerism:
The Scouts then hoisted a new Stars and Stripes on the parklet’s pole:
If you visit the parklet, look closely – there are small landmark engravings, and flowers in full summer bloom.
(WSB photo, 2021)
Five months ago, we checked in on the status of the plan to rebuild the long-closed public walking pier at Jack Block Park, the port-owned park at 2130 Harbor SW. We learned, among other things, that the replacement wouldn’t likely be ready before late 2029, and that it could cost up to $14 million. Both those numbers have since gotten smaller. Today, we got an update from Northwest Seaport Alliance spokesperson Melanie Stambaugh Babst, who pointed out that the project is on the agenda for next Tuesday’s meeting of the NWSA Managing Members (the combined Seattle and Tacoma Port Commissions). They’ll be voting to spend the next $2 million on the project, which is now projected at a total cost of $9.5 million. Here’s what else she told us:
At the July 7 NWSA Managing Members (Ports of Seattle and Tacoma Commissions) meeting, staff will seek authorization to move forward with finalizing design for the Jack Block Park Pier Replacement project. This work will demolish the existing pier, construct a new pier, repair the adjacent plaza, and expand potential uses with additional park features. The upcoming action before the Managing Members will seek full project design funds and permitting; construction authorization funds will be requested when design and permitting are nearing completion.
As previously shared, the pier at Jack Block Park has been deemed to have no remaining service life and has been closed to the public for safety. Further exploration of alternatives led to a design concept that includes moving the pier location eastward; this cost-effective design solution will deliver environmental and public experience advantages.
There is also significant deterioration within the adjacent plaza. Several years ago, public engagement identified this as an opportunity to undertake additional park improvements, which will include the construction of a picnic pavilion and/or other small improvements such as interpretive signage. Full delivery of this project is estimated for Q2, 2029.
Here’s the document detailing the action going before the commissioners on Tuesday; this page has the full agenda link as well as how to watch.
(Current Hiawatha Play Area, as seen when project first surfaced in 2019)
A Seattle Parks project that’s been in the works since before the pandemic is finally about to be built. Here’s the Parks announcement we received today:
Seattle Parks and Recreation is pleased to announce the Hiawatha Play Area Renovation project construction will begin the week of July 20, 2026. SPR awarded the construction contract to LW Sundstrom, Inc. and together we will work to minimize the impact to Hiawatha Playfield and Community Center.
The project replaces the play area on the north side of the park near the tennis court with a new play area located just south of the wading pool. The new play area project will include play structures that provide opportunities for climbing and sliding for ages 2 -5 and 5 -12-year-olds. Additionally, the project includes new swings, a small plaza with tables and accessible pathways that will connect park amenities. After the new play area is open to the public the existing play area will be removed and restored for nature play.
The wading pool and the community center are both located outside the construction limits and will remain open during construction. The current play area will remain open during construction of the new play area.
For more information, please visit seattle.gov/parks/about-us/projects/hiawatha-play-area-relocation or email Shannon.Glass@seattle.gov
Here are the design documents for the new play area.
Got an 8- to 12-year-old in the household who’s interested in Ultimate? Hiawatha Community Center wants you to know there’s another session of camp coming up July 6-10, 1-4 pm daily, with Kyliah – “a 2x Club national champion, 2025 Team USA Gold medalist, and 2026 Division 1 college national champion.” Campers can learn Ultimate or upgrade their skills. Register through the Seattle Parks website or in-person at Hiawatha (2700 California SW).
By Macey Wurm
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
You might have noticed, passing through the intersection of Delridge Way SW, !6th Ave SW, and SW Roxbury St that the Veterans Memorial Triangle in front of Max’s Triangle Pub is finally getting long-needed restoration work.
The small park is an SDOT-owned and -maintained public space, so the department sent crew members to begin the restoration project last week. The restoration is specifically focused on repairing the damaged brick veneer and improving the “overall condition of the plaza,” according to SDOT. The brickwork was damaged by a vehicle collision several years ago.
We stopped by earlier this week and spoke with the crew on site. So far, they had laid new brick on the majority of one perimeter wall and were beginning to replace brick at the top of the triangle facing the intersection.
The project has an estimated total cost of $29,000, coming from a levy-funded SDOT public space maintenance program. If all goes well, the restoration will be complete in time for Independence Day, July 4.
The site has been continuously advocated for over the years by the West Seattle Lions Club, specifically Jimie Martin, who told us about the long-needed restoration work
She plans to commemorate the new renovations and the United States’ 250th anniversary with a flag replacement and raising ceremony at 6 p.m. on July 2. The brief ceremony will be open to the public, and West Seattle VFW Commander Steve Strand will speak.
(WSB file photo)
Thirteen years after the city bought that parcel on 40th SW to “landbank” it as a future park, it’s going out to bid, with a downscaled plan. Seattle Parks sent the announcement late today:
Seattle Parks and Recreation is soliciting construction bids on the City’s Procurement Portal for the future park at 4723 40th Ave SW, in the West Seattle Junction neighborhood. The park will provide a nature-themed play area, native plants and trees, a drinking fountain, leisurely walking paths, lawn area, a long shaded concrete seat wall and will seamlessly integrate into the neighborhood on the west side of 40th Ave SW. SPR anticipates the project will be in construction by this fall, and the new park will open in summer 2027.
SPR purchased this 0.38-acre property to provide additional open space for this high-density neighborhood. The public design process occurred in 2017-2018; however, the project was placed on hold during the COVID-19 pandemic as the City focused on essential services. In September 2022, the Seattle City Council, acting as the Park District Board, approved funding for the project as part of the 2023–2028 Park District cycle.
SPR planted grass and opened the area up for interim use by the community. We have secured all construction permits and updated the design to fit within the budget. The park design includes the top three park elements that came out of the public process and will provide native plantings, a drinking fountain, and natural play elements. There are two elements – the wooden boardwalk system and the seating stones – that will only be included if funding is available.
The city bought the park site in 2013 for $1.4 million, half what it’s currently listing as the total cost of planning, designing, and building the park. We haven’t found the bid-solicitation documents yet but will add to the story when we do.
(From recent photo by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)
If you’re heading out to see this afternoon’s mega-low tide, don’t take your dog.
Not just because dogs are not allowed on city beaches, but also because it’s not good for the vulnerable sealife exposed when the tide goes so far out.
Despite all that, dogs on beaches – and in other Seattle parks – are the number one source of complaints that city Park Rangers deal with.
That’s according to a briefing the city Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners got at their most recent meeting, including this slide with the newest data on complaints, responses, and enforcement:
The head of the Park Rangers program, Jon Jainga, brought the board some stats – including that they’ve received more than 1,600 animal complaints this year (through May), and isued seven citations. That ratio is not just because the ranger program is lightly staffed – 28 rangers for more than 500 parks and other facilitie, plus 125+ of trails, as Jainga reminded the board – but also because they believe warnings and other forms of education are most effective. Promoting “voluntary compliance” is the rangers’ main role.
(We should note that the briefing just dealt with rangers; Seattle Animal Shelter officers’ role was not part of it.)
PHOTOS BY DAVE GERSHGORN FOR WEST SEATTLE BLOG
You didn’t even have to climb to get a bird’s-eye view of Camp Long today during the annual Mountain Fest. Ladybird the Eurasian Eagle Owl was one of the birds brought by John Prucich from The Falconer:
They were a big draw but so were the Camp Long features that get you off the ground.ike Schurman Rock:
The 88-year-old “rock” is “the oldest purpose-built climbing structure in the country,” 88 years old, per Seattle Parks. Camp Long also has newer features, like its rope course, available for visitors to try today:
Mountain Fest visitors could also just participate in outdoor traditions like marshmallow roasting:
The next festival at Camp Long is two weeks from today, DNDA’s Arts in Nature Festival on June 27!
11:05 AM: Thanks to Sarah for the photo and report:
=FYI, Lincoln Park north playground is cordoned off this morning. Looks like Parks folks are dealing with wind damage to a maple tree, I don’t see obvious damage to the play structure, so I think this is just to secure the area while they do work. But usually there are several families here so wanted to share!
(On a windy morning like this, it’s good to stay out of forested areas anyway, but nicer weather is on the way.) We have an inquiry out to Seattle Parks to see what thire plan is for addressing this, and will update here when we hear back.
1:59 PM: Just in, info from Parks spokesperson Christina Hirsch:
Our Urban Forestry crew was working today on addressing an issue with a tree near the play area. The tree has mushrooms that can rot and impact the tree, so crews were working on proactively removing the mushrooms. The play area is open and was not impacted (nothing fell on the play area).
However, a branch did fall near the playfield, and the crew put caution tape around that area, and it will be cleaned up tomorrow.
The crew will also be back at the play area (probably tomorrow) to continue working on the tree with the mushroom/potential future rot issues. When the crew returns to complete this work, they will likely need to tape off a segment of the play area.
(Photo by Don Brubeck)
Congratulations to two local organizations just honored with one big award. Here’s the announcement sent to us to share with you:
The Seattle Parks Foundation honored the West Duwamish Greenbelt Trails group and the Ridge to River (R2R) coalition with a Love Parks award on Wednesday, June 3.
Accepting the award were Joanna Florer, Craig Rankin, Paul West, and Judy Bentley. The trails group has been promoting walking and hiking trails in Seattle’s largest contiguous forest for more than ten years. The Ridge to River Coalition is planning how the greenbelt will be cared for and improved over the long term. Check the website at wdgtrails.org to find out how you can participate in this work or just enjoy the greenbelt.
Pickleball advocates had been asking the city to have a West Seattle meeting for feedback on Seattle Parks‘ proposed “outdoor racquet-sports strategy,” and now the date is set. The original round of feedback on the “strategy” for outdoor courts – which called for an end to dual-striping courts for pickleball and tennis – had three regional meetings, none in West Seattle. Now as part of “additional in-person engagement,” Parks has set four dates/places for added feedback meetings in the last week of June, starting with 6:30 pm Tuesday, June 23, in the building at Dakota Place Park (California/Dakota). The “strategy” was first announced two months ago; our initial report broke out the proposed West Seattle specifics.
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