West Seattle, Washington

10 Thursday

64℉

West Seattle parks 2037 results

WEEKEND PREVIEW: Unleash your thoughts about West Seattle’s second dog park
February 20, 2025 3:02 pm
|      31 COMMENTS
 |   Pets | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

(WSB photo at future off-leash-area site during October event)

Even if you don’t usually go to the West Seattle Farmers’ Market, you might want to visit this Sunday (February 23) if you have something to say about the plan for West Seattle’s second off-leash area. Almost a year ago, Seattle Parks announced that an area on the south side of the West Seattle Stadium grounds would become the site of our area’s second dog park. At the Farmers’ Market this Sunday, Parks plans an “open house” table/booth, four months after the previous “engagement event” at the future park site, currently used for overflow parking. Parks says its project team and design consultant will be at the market to show “concept design options” as well as gathering feedback and answering questions. The West Seattle site, expected to be built next year, is one of two new off-leash areas in the city that are budgeted together for $3.1 million from the Seattle Park District‘s second “funding cycle.” Sunday’s “open house” is scheduled for the same hours as the regular market, 10 am-2 pm.

Share This

YOU CAN HELP: Planting time in Lincoln Park
February 20, 2025 9:00 am
|    Comments Off on YOU CAN HELP: Planting time in Lincoln Park
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

(Photo courtesy Friends of Lincoln Park)

As we mentioned earlier, spring is just one month away … the equinox is in the early morning hours of March 20th. And it’s almost planting time in Lincoln Park! Volunteer spots are open for an event that’s less than a week and a half away, forest steward Lisa McGinty tells WSB: “Volunteers will help install bare-root plants and trees in a lovely restoration site at the park on March 1st, 10 am-12 pm.” Full details are here, as well as the link you can use to sign up for one of the remaining openings.

Share This

ELECTION 2025: One of the next levies you’ll vote on
February 12, 2025 3:37 pm
|      24 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks | West Seattle politics

While we wait for the second round of February election returns, there’s another levy renewal headed toward the August ballot: The next version of the King County Parks Levy. This renewal proposal was announced Tuesday by King County Executive Dow Constantine (who will NOT be on that ballot, as he’s not running for re-election). This levy provides funding for a wide array of parks and other sites/programs, as detailed here. It’s a six-year levy that goes to all county voters, regardless of whether you’re in a city or not; the expiring levy funds about 80 percent of King County Parks’ budget. This chart has some of the key dollar amounts, including that the $17 cost per month for the average homeowner would represent “increase of $3.44 per household per month from the (current) King County Parks Levy.” It’s up to the King County Council to finalize it and send it to the August countywide ballot.

Share This

WEST SEATTLE PARKS: Three accessible-parking spaces removed in Lincoln Park’s south lot
February 11, 2025 4:54 pm
|      34 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

(WSB photo)

The south lot at Lincoln Park has three fewer accessible-parking spaces. Randy noticed the removal recently and brought it to our attention, noting that they visit the park three times a week to walk but couldn’t find a space after what was a row of five accessible spaces was reduced to two, the others converted to non-restricted parking. Here’s how it looked pre-removal, via a Google Street View image dated November 2022:

Now, as shown above, three spaces are gone, with markings painted over:

(Photo sent by Randy)

We asked Seattle Parks about the removal, and a spokesperson explained that the now-removed spots were “temporary” – though as shown above they’ve been there for at least two years:

We removed the temporary spots after receiving complaints the spaces were missing the adjacent aisle striping and because they did not fully meet ADA standards. These were installed during the pandemic and provided the only spots open for accessible parking at the time.

We have four additional Accessible Stalls provided at the lower beach area.The minimum per the ADA standards is 3 for parking facilities of 61 – 75 parking spaces and we have two with the upper and four at the lower, so six total which is double the required number.

Parks provided this aerial view of the two parking areas it’s referring to:

If you’re not familiar with Lincoln Park parking, that’s a relatively steep, though short, driveway between the south lot and the spaces by the south end of the beach.

Share This

WEST SEATTLE SNOW: Library, pool, park changes/closures
February 5, 2025 9:28 am
|    Comments Off on WEST SEATTLE SNOW: Library, pool, park changes/closures
 |   West Seattle libraries | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks | West Seattle weather

(Lincoln Park path – WSB photo by Aspen Anderson)

Also in from the city, changes in Seattle Public Library and Seattle Parks facilities because of the snow:

SEATTLE PUBLIC LIBRARY: Delayed opening:

On Wednesday, Feb. 5, given the present accumulation of snow and ice in Seattle, all branch locations of The Seattle Public Library will open on a 2-hour delay. The Central Library will maintain normal open hours. All Bookmobile stops have been canceled for the day.

Branch locations will be scheduled to open from noon to 6 p.m. or noon to 8 p.m. The Central Library will open with regular hours of 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. View our schedule at www.spl.org/Hours. We may experience other impacts to our schedule, so please check this page again before planning a visit to one of our locations.

SEATTLE PARKS: Various changes to facility operations; most notably for West Seattle, the golf course is closed, and Southwest Pool is on a delayed schedule. Full systemwide info is here.

Share This

DOG PARK: Your next chance to comment on plans for West Seattle’s second off-leash area
February 4, 2025 4:00 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Pets | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

(WSB photo at future off-leash-area site during October event)

As first reported last March, Seattle Parks has officially chosen an area on the south side of the West Seattle Stadium grounds to become the site of our area’s second dog park (officially, “off-leash area”). Today, Parks announced the next opportunity for community comment: An “open house” at the West Seattle Farmers’ Market on Sunday, February 23, 10 am-2 pm. That’ll be four months after the previous “engagement event” on the future park site, currently used as an overflow-parking area. Parks’ announcement says its “project team and design consultant will be available to answer questions, present concept design options, and gather valuable community feedback” to help shape the park’s final design. So far, they’re planning that it will include “fencing, seating for pet owners, and an environmentally friendly stormwater bioretention area with thoughtful plantings.” It’s one of two new off-leash areas budgeted together for $3.1 million from the Seattle Park District‘s second “funding cycle,” and construction is currently projected for next year.

Share This

FOLLOWUP: South Delridge park still years away, even after county-to-city grant
January 22, 2025 11:53 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

(Google Maps Street View image)

One week ago, we reported on King County’s announcement of grants from the voter-restored Conservation Futures levy, including one to the city of Seattle for purchase of a site to be part of an eventual park including the SDOT-owned Delridge Triangle. That latter site had been the subject of extensive community efforts pre-pandemic. Last week’s announcement was explained as an acquisition to eventually combine with the triangle site, to be transferred from SDOT to parks, and a small adjacent street closure. Since then, we’ve been waiting to hear back from Seattle Parks about the plan for the combined sites. Today, we got a response from Parks spokesperson Karen O’Connor:

I talked with our Property Team and the site acquired was a private parcel and will be land-banked. We are hoping to fund the development through the next Park District Cycle, so not until after 2028. At that time, we will work on a Transfer of Jurisdiction for the triangle and a street vacation, both currently SDOT property to create a new park.

The landbanked-site development process tends to move slowly – a decade-plus so far for three future-park sites in West Seattle (48th/Charlestown, 40th SW in The Junction, and the Morgan Junction Park Addition).

Share This

PHOTOS: Here’s what students, Scouts, and other MLK Day of Service volunteers did at Lincoln Park
January 21, 2025 1:21 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks | West Seattle people

One of the local MLK Day of Service volunteering opportunities we featured in advance was a forest-restoration event at Lincoln Park. Today we have photos and words of gratitude sent by forest steward Lisa McGinty from Friends of Lincoln Park:

We are so thankful for the 91 volunteers who braved the cold and brought the sun to honor MLKJ and build community while caring for the land.

This event was co-led by WSHS Earth Club students Tatum Paddock, Charlie Lewis, Madi Krehbiel, Lizzy Greene, Noah Swab, Cooper Schwerin, and Adam Gosztola. Thanks also to local Cub Scouts 282 for bringing their fun energy.

You can watch here for future Lincoln Park volunteering opportunities (and elsewhere too – right now that page shows four West Seattle events in the next week alone).

Share This

Countywide levy leads to South Delridge land purchase
January 15, 2025 11:02 am
|      11 COMMENTS
 |   Delridge | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

Back in 2022, King County voters approved a levy for bringing the Conservation Futures program back to its original rate. This week, County Executive Dow Constantine announced some of the land purchases that will lead to, and they include a bit of land in South Delridge. First, from the countywide announcement:

King County Executive Dow Constantine announced $107 million in land conservation awards – approved by the King County Council – that will protect more than 3,000 acres of open space to advance climate resilience, farmland access, environmental justice, recreation access, and habitat restoration.

A few of the 53 projects include helping the City of Auburn build its first downtown park and public space, permanently protecting the lowland forests of Camp Sealth on Vashon Island, creating more greenspace near affordable housing in Seattle’s Georgetown neighborhood, and helping a community-based organization create an urban farm near Sound Transit’s Rainier Beach Station.

The funding package continues the accelerated pace of land conservation in recent years, which is the result of several actions: Voters’ approval in 2022 of Executive Constantine’s initiative to restore the local Conservation Futures Program to its historic funding rate, bonding against future revenues to protect natural areas before they are no longer affordable, and cutting in half the amount of matching funds cities and other partners are required to provide.

The South Delridge purchase is described in the announcement as:

Seattle’s Westwood-Highland Park Urban Village acquisition: Combining new open space with future acquisition of repurposed properties owned by the Seattle Department of Transportation to secure a full acre in a rapidly developing neighborhood and provide more park access near White Center.

So we asked for specifics. County spokesperson Doug Williams replied:

Specifically, the land we’re talking about is to the southeast of the Delridge Way / Southwest Barton Street intersection: maps.app.goo.gl/8S2FkL1hpshqJa6V6

The grant funding will be used to reimburse Seattle for their recent purchase of the vacant square of land you see just to the southeast of the treed triangular land. The idea is to combine the treed triangular land with that vacant land and a street closure (that little chunk of 18th Avenue Southwest on the eastern border of the treed triangular portion) to create a nearly one-acre piece of public open space.

Community advocates had long worked for a park in that area, though their effort has gone dormant. We’re checking on next steps for the site’s future.

Share This

FOUND BICYCLE: Bike with training wheels, abandoned in Lincoln Park
January 8, 2025 3:25 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Found bicycles | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

This abandoned bike has been seen in upper Lincoln Park for at least three days.

That photo is from Mike, the fourth person to send us a photo. He also sent a wider view of where he saw it:

If you need more help in finding it – Mike sent these coordinates too.

Share This

In case you wondered too: Here’s what Seattle Fire Ladder 13 was doing in the Lincoln Park forest
January 6, 2025 5:10 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

Thanks to Kersti Muul for the photos! Seattle Fire‘s Ladder 13, based at Station 37 in Sunrise Heights, was seen with its ladder extended in upper Lincoln Park this afternoon. No calls logged to the area, so we asked SFD what they were doing.

Reply from spokesperson David Cuerpo: “They were doing a training exercise utilizing the aerial ladder for a rope rescue. Pulling up a Stokes basket.”

Share This

FOLLOWUP: More on Hiawatha Community Center and Play Area project status
January 6, 2025 1:12 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

(WSB photo from start of work in March)

More followup information today on where the Hiawatha Community Center and play area projects stand. Late last month we checked in and learned that Seattle Parks was in the process of changing project managers for the community center “stabilization” project, but we did not request an update on the play area. Today we have a brief update on both, thanks to a community member who’s been concerned about the projects inquiring with Parks’ capital-project manager Mike Schwindeller. He says that the new project manager is “working with both the contractor and design team to confirm the schedule implications of the addition of scope associated with the decarbonization of the building.” Parks has applied for a permit for that additional work (explained in this document). Meantime, Schwindeller adds, “As far as the Play Area project, we will have the final Geotechnical Report in the next couple of weeks which will dictate our next steps and timeline. Unfortunately, SPU (and subsequently SDCI) required this enhanced level of documentation associated with the Stormwater Code for us to proceed with the project just as we were going out to bid.” Schwindeller also said yet more details are expected “next week” and that’s when they’ll update the project website, which hasn’t been updated since summer.

Share This

Dreaming of spring hikes? Updated West Duwamish Greenbelt Trails map will get you into Seattle’s largest forest
January 2, 2025 7:03 pm
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle online | West Seattle parks

(Photos courtesy West Duwamish Greenbelt Trails Group)

One month ago, we told you about a new website for the West Duwamish Greenbelt Trails. Now, there’s word of a newly updated map to help you safely and knowledgeably get out into the forest! Here’s the announcement:

The West Duwamish Greenbelt Trails Group (WDGT) has updated an extensive map of trails in the West Duwamish Greenbelt as part of its mission to activate the park and draw people to the vast green space.

The West Duwamish Greenbelt is Seattle’s largest forest, covering more than 500 acres spanning more than four miles north to south. There are two distinct networks of trails. The northern network is between Highland Park Way SW and the West Seattle Bridge and includes the Duwamish Longhouse, South Seattle College, the Seattle Chinese Garden, Riverview Playfield, Puget Park, and Pigeon Point Park. The southern network includes Westcrest Park. WDGT would ultimately like to see the northern and southern trail networks connected, but it has been challenging to maintain a viable trail in the section of greenbelt between Highland Park Way SW and Westcrest Park.

The updated map includes additional trails, trailheads, landscape features and points of interest. Trails on the map are color-coded as improved; partially improved (soft surface); rough, steep and adventurous; pedestrian path, and paved public trail. To help guide you in real-time in the greenbelt, download the map to a phone using the Avenza Maps app. You can also create a route or track a route.

Throughout the map, users will find names of different areas in both English and Lushootseed, the language of the Coast Salish, such as Seven Cedars — c̕úʔkʷs x̌payʔ.

The updated trail maps are posted at various trailheads throughout the greenbelt and are also available as a downloadable PDF at wdgtrails.org/trails. The QR code to download the map to your phone is also available on the map.

Trail conditions and quality vary throughout the year. The soft trails are often muddy and slick during periods of heavy rain. Avoid hiking in the forest when wind speeds are high. Because there is currently little to no signage in the forest, the trail map is a helpful navigation tool for hikers new to the area.

The updated map was supported by a Community Partnership Fund grant from the city of Seattle. (The grant also supported an update of the West Duwamish Greenbelt Trails website and creation of an exhibit at the Log House Museum.) Matt Dressler, Cartographer and GIS Analyst at Mountains to Sound GIS in West Seattle, who created the map in 2022, updated the map from sources of available GIS data along with GPS tracks recorded by WDGT members.

WDGT is a collection of neighbors who promote walking and hiking trails in the greenbelt in partnership with the Duwamish Tribe. WDGT has been offering seasonal (April- November) free guided hikes in the greenbelt for nearly a decade. Find more info and opportunities to get involved at the new website.

Share This

FOLLOWUP: Quick check-in on Hiawatha Community Center
December 28, 2024 12:28 pm
|      20 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

(WSB photo from start of work in March)

Almost 10 months have passed since Seattle Parks‘ long-delayed “stabilization” work at Hiawatha Community Center finally began. When Parks recently released a list of open-this-winter restrooms, with a notation about one at Hiawatha reopening, we asked if that meant the center was expected to reopen, at least partially, before spring. Short answer from Parks: No. Longer answer from Parks spokesperson Karen O’Connor: “The building will not be opening before spring. We are working on assigning a new project manager and working out some potential additional environmental improvements. We will have more information in January.” Last December, we talked with a Parks manager about why the center had been closed almost four years before work began.

Share This

Three more West Seattle park restrooms to stay open this winter
December 17, 2024 3:42 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

(WSB photo from September: Newly winterized restroom building at Walt Hundley Playfield)

More news from Seattle Parks: This year’s list of winterized park-facilities restrooms is out, and they’ve added three more in West Seattle. Open this winter for the first time, Parks says, will be:

DELRIDGE COMMUNITY CENTER – EXTERIOR RESTROOM
HIGHLAND PARK RESTROOM
WALT HUNDLEY PLAYFIELD RESTROOM

That’s in addition to 13 others on the list. Parks says it’s still “working to make all 129 public restrooms [around its system] available for year-round use by the end of 2028.”

Share This

FOLLOWUP: City ‘optimistic’ that Camp Long’s fire-gutted lodge can be restored
December 16, 2024 1:07 pm
|      20 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle fires | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

(WSB photo, December 9)

1:07 PM: Five weeks after fire ravaged Camp Long‘s historic lodge, we checked in again today with Seattle Parks for an update on the status of decisionmaking regarding its future. This time, spokesperson Rachel Schulkin had a major update for us:

We are optimistic that we will be able to restore and retain the lodge building. However, the full extent of the damage is still unknown. Because the stairs were destroyed, for example, we haven’t been able to access and assess the second floor. As we gain more access to the building and begin the stabilization work, we will learn more about the damage and restoration needs. Our team will assess the damage and develop options with cost estimates for restoration or other alternatives. We plan to have a preliminary scope and estimate by the end of Quarter 1, 2025. Given the time associated with design, permitting and public works, construction would likely take place in 2027 or 2028.

The stabilization work is focused on maintaining the lodge structure and preventing any further damage until a long-term project can be scoped, designed, and completed. The scope of the stabilization work will include selective demolition of the damaged parts of roof, assessment and shoring of walls that need support, carting-out of debris, and ventilating the building to dry it out. The stabilization work will also provide an opportunity for our team to better understand the extent of the damage caused by the fire.

We aim to begin stabilization work as soon as possible. It will likely begin before the end of 2024 and go well into the first half of 2025.

To date we have:
• Hired a contractor to board up windows and tarp over open holes in the roof of the lodge and damaged cabins;
• Documented the damage to structures, met with insurance representatives and initiated an insurance claim;
• Replaced the windows to one of the damaged cabins;
• Began working with an architect to outline a scope of stabilization work to the lodge; and
• Initiated an Emergency Public Works process to hire a contractor to perform stabilization work.

The park is currently open for use, and there are port-a-potties on site. We are working on a plan to see if we can still offer environmental education programs without the use of the building. Start date on programs is still TBD.

Investigators ruled the November 11 fire arson; we’re checking with SPD for updates on the investigation.

6:10 PM: While interviewing District 1 City Councilmember Rob Saka on a variety of topics late today as his first year in office comes to a close (story to come), we asked about this. He told us he “look(s) forward to supporting” the restoration/rebuild.

Share This

WINDSTORM AFTERMATH: Lincoln Park path blocked
December 16, 2024 11:33 am
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

Thanks to the texter who sent that photo this morning. That big tree is down across the trail in the central upper area of Lincoln Park. We don’t know if it’s already been reported but if not, your options for reporting this or any other park maintenance problems include 206-684-7250. P.S. This is also a good reminder that you want to stay away from tall trees during windstorms – in parks and elsewhere!

Share This

First chance for feedback on Southwest Teen Life Center play-area replacement. Teens’ input sought. (Survey, too!)
December 10, 2024 4:41 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

That’s the one and only visual you’ll find at the drop-in event happening right now at Seattle Parks’ Southwest Teen Life Center (2801 SW Thistle, enter from the south side). It’s a board with possible elements for its play-area replacement – but there’s a twist. Project manager Colin Campbell tells WSB that they’re really hoping to hear from teenagers because there’s a strong chance the replacement (for which $720,000 is budgeted, from a grant) will be all or partly geared toward teens, since the SWTLC is, well, a center for teens, and the neighborhood already has a traditional play area (uphill and west, on Seattle Public Schools-owned property, where the old Denny IMS used to be). You can stop in until 6 pm (free drinks and snacks!) to offer your thoughts (when we dropped in, just one comment was written – “swings are important”) and/or you can answer this new online survey, which will be open until January 2. Campbell says the playground is being replaced because the department tries to keep its play structures on a 20-years-or-so replacement cycle. This is only the first design discussion; the next one is likely to have “design concepts” on display.

Share This

VIDEO: Students explain their visions of how Schmitz Park’s creek could be brought fully back to life and light
December 8, 2024 9:10 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Environment | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

If you didn’t get to Alki Bathhouse Friday or Saturday to see UW students’ visions for Schmitz Preserve Park Creek‘s future – we can show you what you missed.

Their professor, landscape architect Paul Peters, explained that the inspiration for the “studio” in which his master’s-degree students created their proposals began when he read about the grassroots effort Schmitz Park Creek Restore on WSB, shortly after their launch event last May. Peters is a West Seattle resident and had been looking for something to assign his students to work on. Over 10 weeks, amid site visits, his nine students worked on plans for how the creek could come back to life.

Friday afternoon, on the first day of a two-day open house, the students presented their concepts. We recorded each group’s presentation so you can see for yourself, starting with the two-part introduction and acknowledgments by Daniel Nye from Schmitz Park Creek Restore:

=

Nye turned it over to professor Peters, who told the story of how the project launched, and how – when they saw the creek undergrounding – they all agreed “there’s a lot of opportunity here”:

Peters explained that the students worked in three groups, focused on the forest, on the park (Whale Tail to Alki Playground), and the beach. The forest group gave their presentation first:

The forest presentation continues in this clip:

Next, the park group:

They continued in the next clip (as everyone switched locations to see the second set of renderings) and explained how they’ve designed their idea to a “100-year storm surge” situation:

Finally, the students who reimagined Alki Beach:

Keep in mind, none of these ideas is an official proposal yet – they’re ideas, visions, even dreams of what could be, so there’s no official feedback process, though Schmitz Park Creek Restore would certainly love to hear from you about these or anything else relevant to their dreams and goals – here’s how to reach the group.

Share This

Restoring Schmitz Preserve Park Creek: Next step! And you’re invited
November 27, 2024 6:10 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Environment | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

(Schmitz Preserve Park is the forest in the center of pilot/photographer Long Bach Nguyen‘s 2012 image)

Back in May, a new community-led effort to restore Schmitz Preserve Park‘s creek debuted at a memorable gathering on which we reported. Now Seattle Parks is joining forces with community advocates and UW students “to explore the unique identity of landscapes, fostering designs that celebrate and revive the wild within Seattle’s urban fabric.” A two-part open house is planned: First, on Friday, December 6, meet the design team at Alki Bathhouse (2701 Alki SW). Then, on Saturday, December 7, they’re offering “self-guided explorations.”

The backstory here is that Seattle-based landscape architect Paul Peters, a principal at Hood Design Studio and UW lecturer, “is leading graduate UW students in “an in-depth exploration of Schmitz Park’s ecological, historical, and cultural narratives … to develop designs that restore the connection between Schmitz Park’s 53-acre old-growth forest and Alki Beach.” Right now, the Schmitz Preserve Park creek goes underground before getting to Elliott Bay, but the students are envisioning “restoring the creek’s natural flow, creating a continuous ‘wild corridor’.” To learn what’s possible here, you’re invited to the bathhouse one or both days of the open house:

To showcase the students’ work and engage with the community, the UW Studio, Schmitz Park Creek Restore, and Seattle Parks and Recreation will host an open house at the Alki Bathhouse in West Seattle. Join us on December 6th, from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM, for discussions with the project team, or visit on December 7th, 2024, from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM for a self-guided experience. This event will offer the public an opportunity to explore the students’ designs and understand the possibilities for restoring Schmitz Creek’s natural flow.

Restoration, of course, will cost money, so, Parks says, the project “plans a public fundraising initiative in 2025 to support Seattle Parks and Seattle Public Utilities in advancing restoration efforts. Additionally, a significant capital campaign titled “53 for 53” will seek to establish a $53 million endowment, providing one million dollars per acre of Schmitz Park to preserve its wild landscape for future generations.” Find out more about the project here; learn more about Schmitz Preserve Park’s history here.

Share This

FOLLOWUP: Camp Long reopening today, 2+ weeks post-fire
November 27, 2024 10:36 am
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle fires | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

(WSB photo, last Saturday)

Just announced by Seattle Parks, two weeks and two days after flames blamed on an arsonist tore through the Camp Long lodge, the park reopens today:

oday, Wednesday, November 27, Camp Long reopens to the public. The lodge remains closed & fenced off but the park is open. The bathrooms are currently offline because their waterline is connected to the lodge, & there are porta-a-potties on site. The park hours are Tuesdays-Saturdays, 10 am-6 pm.

We’re continuing to check with Parks about decisions regarding the lodge’s future. Damage to the lodge and two cabins vandalized the same night was estimated at $1.2 million.

Share This

New play area ahead for Southwest Teen Life Center. What do you want to see?
November 26, 2024 10:45 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks | Westwood

(Added: WSB photo, current SWTLC play area)

Seattle Parks says the Southwest Teen Life Center play area – on the south side of the building that also houses Southwest Pool – is getting an overhaul. Parks just announced a December 10th event for community feedback, 4-6 pm at the site (2801 SW Thistle). The design team will be there. The play area dates back to when the facility was a full-service commuity center; Parks’ announcement says, “All ages are encouraged to participate as we consider adding elements for teens at the site. This project will replace the existing play equipment and make necessary accessibility improvements. The equipment will include play structures and seating for children of all abilities.” Construction isn’t expected to start until 2026, but they’re looking for design opinions now. Funding – estimated at $720,000 – is coming from the King County Parks Levy.

Share This

FOLLOWUP: Camp Long, almost two weeks later
November 24, 2024 4:16 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle fires | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

Tomorrow marks two weeks since arson gutted the lodge at West Seattle’s Camp Long. We’re checking in periodically with Seattle Parks as they decide what to do about the lodge and two cabins that were all damaged that night. (The park has remained closed too.) Most recent statement was this response to our inquiry, from Parks spokesperson Rachel Schulkin: “We are still working through a lot of questions with insurance and building inspectors and so on before we make any decisions. The park is still closed as we work to secure the building. Once the building is secured, we will reopen the park to the public.” Our photo (taken through the closed gate) is from Saturday; no work crews or others in sight at the time. Meantime, a reminder that park staff are seeking public help in recreating Camp Long’s catalogue of history – here’s how you can be part of that.

Share This