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West Seattle parks 1711 results

FOLLOWUP: Westcrest Park play-structure replacement now set for summer
March 7, 2022 3:54 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Highland Park | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

(Reader photo by Jon from May 2021)

One of West Seattle’s long-closed park play structures has a new date for replacement. Seattle Parks closed the Westcrest Park play structure in May of last year for safety concerns and said it would be replaced as part of the drainage-improvement project at the park’s off-leash area. That work has been under way for months now, but no word of the play area’s status until today, when the city announced the work would happen “this summer” and be complete “this fall.”

P.S. Before you ask – yes, we’re asking about the status of the Westcrest drainage project and also asking about the longest-closed park play area in West Seattle, the Lincoln Park South Play Area, closed for almost five years, with the newest online update saying the much-delayed replacement is now scheduled to go to bid “in late spring.”

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WEST SEATTLE PARKS: Camp Long reopens, with an invitation for you
March 4, 2022 2:25 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

(February photos courtesy Camp Long)

That’s the view from Schurman Rock at Camp Long. After a long period of pandemic closure, the 68-acre park at 5200 35th SW has “soft-reopened,” and that opens opportunities not only for visiting, but also for helping guide its future. First, here’s what we’ve learned from Camp Long supervisor Matt Kostle:

Camp Long Park is open, hours as follows:

Tuesday through Sunday – Gates are open from 10 am-6 pm

(Comfort Stations may close slightly earlier to allow staff time to close the whole facility)

We are now accepting rentals at full capacity for the following:

-Main Lodge rooms (upstairs room, basement, kitchen)
-Outside shelters
-Outside large fire ring

We are planning to open rentals to our cabins soon

Our Challenge Course and Rock Wall are also available for groups to register for programming!

For rental and general park information, contact Nancy Mitchell 206-684-7434 camp.long@seattle.gov

For Educational Challenge Course Programs, contact: Maggie Riederer maggie.riederer@seattle.gov

Kostle adds, “We are transitioning to these new hours and rentals and with limited staff on hand so we may not have as much availability for rentals and park opening and closure may not be at exact times published but we are making every effort to move to these times and availabilities to keep the park open and rentals available to use.”

He also told us, “During the pandemic we have also been able to make some major upgrades to the facilities, the biggest of which is the addition of WIFI now available at the main lodge in addition to some large Smart TVs so folks can host meetings, conferences, presentations, etc. here and still reach a wider digital audience!”

Now, here’s where you come in. Camp Long is revitalizing its Advisory Council and would love to hear from prospective members. Here’s that announcement:

Help Make Camp Long an Epic Destination – Become an Advisory Council Member:

Represent and engage the community
Advocate on behalf of the community
Advise on programs and activities that meet community needs
Assist with fundraising and promotions
Event planning and volunteer participation

RSVP today to join us for a virtual information and interest session on Tuesday, March 15th at 6:30 pm

Or contact sebastian.wilson@seattle.gov – 206-265-1378

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WEST SEATTLE WILDLIFE: Peregrine Falcon rescued
March 1, 2022 9:27 pm
|      34 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks | Wildlife

The report and photos were sent by community naturalist Kersti Muul:

At 1:26 PM, I received a call from concerned West Seattleite ‘Lee The Gardener’ regarding a ‘hawk’ that didn’t look well. It was grounded on the parking strip next to Lowman Beach.

Luckily I was able to respond quickly; was on scene within 10 minutes. Quite a little crowd had gathered around this beautiful bird. Initially it was standing with one leg up, which could be thermoregulating, or it could be an injury. I assessed the situation and captured the bird quickly.

It was very alert, but not as reactive as it should be, and not flighted. It later put weight on the leg that was previously up.

My first thoughts were, that it was one of our local Merlin pair, however after looking at the size and markings (malar stripes, etc.) I determined it to be a juvenile Peregrine Falcon. The fastest animal and bird on our planet! Quite a humbling feeling to be of assistance to such a rockstar bird.

I transported the falcon to PAWS and hope it recovers quickly.

Photos by me and Trileigh Tucker, who happened to be at Lowman looking at other birds!

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FOLLOWUP: More Lowman Beach shore-restoration progress
February 23, 2022 8:28 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

Thanks to Mike Munson for the latest look at progress on the Lowman Beach Park shore-restoration project. What you’re seeing above is the small section of seawall that’s been replaced rather than removed at the north edge of the park. Today was the scheduled end of the latest extension of the timeframe for nighttime work, so we asked Seattle Parks for a status report. Here’s the response from spokesperson Karen O’Connor:

Today was the last date for night work with the Noise Variance Permit. The contractor (was expected to) work until 7 PM at the latest and there will not be an extension of the night work Noise Variance Permit. We have the in-water work window extended to 2/28, Monday of next week. This allows the contractor to work below high water line. All the work will be done during the daytime.

In terms of project update, the contractor has completed the seawall installation. Some beach grading will need to be completed this week to backfill around the seawall. The Contractor is on track of completing in-water work before the 2/28 deadline. They will finish the Pelly Creek section early next week, which is above high tide line, and lawn restoration and landscape will occur in the coming weeks.

When complete, the project will have removed the old crumbling seawall and restored that section of the shore, as was done years ago with the south shore of the park. The old tennis court has been removed and will not be replaced; while Seattle Parks has said it would consider the idea of a smaller sport court, such as pickleball, elsewhere in the park, it would have to be community-funded, and no campaign for that has surfaced so far.

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WEST SEATTLE PARKS: Why a tall tree was taken out at Me-Kwa-Mooks
February 15, 2022 10:21 pm
|      13 COMMENTS
 |   Environment | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

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Thanks to Christopher for the photo taken today at Me-Kwa-Mooks. We asked Seattle Parks about the tree crew; spokesperson Rachel Schulkin tells WSB that the pine was “being removed by Seattle Parks and Recreations Urban Forestry. This tree has come under attack by beetles carrying a fungus that is killing the tree.” If you look closely at the photo, you can see some of the tree’s branches are discolored.

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Another dog park for West Seattle? Here’s who’s actually working on it
February 9, 2022 11:33 am
|      80 COMMENTS
 |   Pets | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

The two dogs who share Rachael Morris‘s life, Duggie and Tilly, aren’t into dog parks.

However, Morris is working to get West Seattle a second one for the thousands of peninsula dogs who are.

Right now, the only official off-leash area in West Seattle is at Westcrest Park [map]. Dog owners have long complained that another one is needed, not just for space but for geography, since Westcrest is toward the southeast edge of West Seattle. Now, an organized effort is under way toward making it happen.

Morris leads what’s become the West Seattle Dog Park Coalition (WSDPC). She tells WSB the effort began last spring but really picked up steam when the citywide Citizens for Off-Leash Areas helped connect her with other West Seattleites pursuing the idea. So now they’re working with both COLA and Seattle Parks and Recreation. WSDPC has even come up with a list of five potential sites that it’s submitting to the city for review.

Without much official dog-park space, she says, people are using various spaces as unofficial dog parks, and that creates a “public-safety issue” for both dogs and people. So WSDPC is seeking to be part of the solution rather than perpetuating the problem. The lack of an off-leash area in north West Seattle was even officially recognized almost six years ago, in a city report on the state and future of dog parks citywide (here’s our 2016 report).

There’ll be a lot of hurdles to clear, Morris says – just to get sites reviewed could take a year, and Morris says they are well aware they’ll face opposition from people no matter which site (if any) is identified as feasible, so that’s why they’re going public now, to marshal support from dog owners who like the idea. WSDPC members extensively reviewed possible sites all around the peninsula and are submitting five for potential consideration: Areas at the West Seattle Golf Course (a corner currently primarily used for “seed deliveries,” Morris says), Hamilton Viewpoint, Lincoln Park, Duwamish Head (the inland open space), and Jack Block Park (which is owned by the Port of Seattle rather than the city). The latter site could even include some of the shoreline, which Morris says is appealing because the city only has two offleash beaches.

There’s a long list of criteria that ruled out the many other sites they reviewed. And Morris says the process from here is extensive – if the city does give them a green light to pursue a certain site, much public outreach and comment would follow. (The full city process is explained here.) She stresses that her group “wants to go through all the channels” to try to reach the goal, and they’re going public now at a very early stage. If you’re interested in getting involved, you can email westseattledpc@gmail.com. The group doesn’t have a website yet but is on major social-media channels.

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FOLLOWUP: In-water, nighttime work at Lowman Beach shore-restoration project will last longer than expected
February 7, 2022 6:19 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

A texter sent that photo a few days ago and wondered if the Lowman Beach Park shore-restoration work was really going to meet its deadline for completing in-water work. The answer – no – arrived in this update from Seattle Parks:

In January, Seattle Parks and Recreation and McClung Construction completed preparation and shoring for the seawall installation for the Lowman Beach Park seawall and beach restoration project in West Seattle. Unfortunately, one of the seawall precast panels was the wrong dimension and was unable to be installed. The team has been working around the clock to refabricate and recast this one panel segment. Once the new panel is delivered to the site, the contractor will resume installation of all panels starting on February 9, 2022, and be completed by February 23. This work must be performed at night to take advantage of the low tides.

The original permit for in-water work expired on February 15, however, we were granted a maximum two week extension by the Department of Fish and Wildlife and must have work completed by February 28.

Two work windows at low tides still needed to complete:

Resume installing the precast wall panels – This is expected to take another three to four nights of work.

Completion of Pelly Creek – This is expected to take another two or three nights of work. We were previously planning to complete this on the week of February 7-11 during normal working hours, however, it can only be completed after the seawall panels are installed. To meet the February 28 deadline for beach grading the contractor may need to work extended hours.

The contractor has obtained another Temporary Noise Variance Permit (6881011-NV) issued by Seattle Department of Construction and Inspection (SDCI). The permit states work can occur between 7 PM and 7 AM starting Wednesday, February 09, 2022 at 7 PM and stopping no later than Wednesday, February 23 at 7 AM.

Although the permit allows for 14 nights of work, the contractor expects to work a maximum of eight nighttime shifts. The contractor will do what is feasible to mitigate the inconvenience by keeping the noise levels down as much as possible, disabling backup alarms, and avoiding high-impact work.

Thank you to the neighbors for their patience and cooperation during the Lowman Beach Park seawall and beach restoration project.

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FOLLOWUP: Fairmount Playfield’s new south play structure finally open
February 4, 2022 11:56 am
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

Three months after installation of the new play structure between Fairmount Park Elementary and Fairmount Playfield, it’s finally open. As reported here last week, Seattle Parks blamed issues such as wood-chip availability and the concrete strike for the most-recent holdups, but said they hoped to open it this week. We hadn’t checked since Wednesday afternoon, but today we went by after a tip from Kevin, and as shown above, it’s open and in use, just in time for the weekend. Planning for the play-structure replacement began in 2019 and it was originally projected to be complete two years ago.

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UPDATE: ‘Rope rescue’ response @ Lincoln Park
February 2, 2022 10:08 am
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks | WS breaking news

10:08 AM: Seattle Fire is sending a “rope rescue” response to Lincoln Park. SFD says someone fell “40 feet down a slope.” Updates to come.

10:27 AM: Took a while for our crew to find out where in the park this was happening. It’s toward the far north end. The incident commander tells us the person who fell is a woman and she seems to be not seriously hurt. They’re still working to bring her out.

(WSB photo)

10:38 AM: We’ve talked with firefighters above the rescue scene but the victim has just been brought down to crews on the shoreside road, according to emergency radio.

(Added: Texted photo)

She’ll be taken to Harborview.

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Play pickleball or tennis? Seattle Parks has a few questions for you
January 25, 2022 4:00 pm
|      17 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks | WS & Sports

(Reader photo, 2021)

Pickleball just might be the hottest sport right now. The city’s wondering how best to support it, and hitting a few questions your way:

Seattle Parks and Recreation is seeking input from tennis and pickleball players on how we can best support the growth of pickleball. Everyone is encouraged to participate in a short survey, whether you play pickleball or not – your thoughts are invaluable as we plan for the future of this sport in Seattle.

Your answers to the survey questions will inform how we:

-Approach immediate improvements such as dual striping existing tennis courts for pickleball (for which some funding is available now);

-Add pickleball lines to tennis courts during programmatic resurfacing and renovation projects; and

-Develop options for future dedicated pickleball courts (yet to be funded).

This survey is part of the 2021-2022 Pickleball Study funded by the Seattle Park District. An advisory committee is meeting throughout the study and additional community engagement will include two public meetings. Dates and venues for the meetings will be posted on the project page.

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New Fairmount Park play structure might finally open next week
January 24, 2022 7:02 pm
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

(WSB photo)

We’ve received questions about when the new play structure between Fairmount Park Elementary and Fairmount Playfield is going to open – it’s remained fenced off, three months after installation. The most recent project-website update blamed the concrete strike for recent delays and suggested it’ll be open next month. We followed up directly with Seattle Parks today and spokesperson Karen O’Connor tells WSB the main delay now is the material they need to put under the structure:

We were hoping to open this week, but we are awaiting delivery of the engineered wood fiber (EWF) needed for fall attenuation. In addition to the unexpected concrete strike, we have been challenged by long lead times to have EWF delivered due to labor and material shortages.

We were alerted this AM that the full amount of EWF will not be delivered tomorrow as planned. The project landscape architect is working with our vendor to see if we can schedule additional deliveries this week. After delivery we need to have the final inspection and then can remove the construction fencing. We are hoping to open the play area open early next week.

This is almost two years behind the original schedule detailed on the Parks sign that’s still up at the project site. Planning began in 2019.

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FOLLOWUP: Big turnout for youth-led Lincoln Park volunteer event
January 21, 2022 1:06 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

Two weeks ago, we published a call for volunteers for an MLK Day of Service weekend work party at Lincoln Park. Today we have word – and photos – from forest steward Lisa McGinty of Friends of Lincoln Park, who says it was a big success:

42 youth showed up to help clear over 15,000 square feet of non-native plants and planted 20 native trees in a forested area of Lincoln Park. While honoring Martin Luther King Jr.’s call to action in their community, students connected with nature and learned about non-native plant species that can cause harm to our urban forests.

The event was co-hosted by West Seattle High School Green Team, Friends of Lincoln Park and YMCA Earth Service Corps.

Want to find out about future chances to help at the park? Here’s how.

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FOLLOWUP: Lowman Beach Park night work continues
January 18, 2022 10:19 pm
|    Comments Off on FOLLOWUP: Lowman Beach Park night work continues
 |   West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

Thanks to Mike Munson for the photo of a delivery today at Lowman Beach Park. His photo and an area resident’s report of bright lights overnight last night are reminders that night work on the shore-restoration project continues, as previewed in a Seattle Parks announcement two weeks ago. We asked Parks today what’s happening now; spokesperson Karen O’Connor replied, “The night work started last week. The Contractor was working on shoring and preparation around the area for the new precast seawall. This week, a few more night shifts will occur to set precast wall and cap in place.” They’re working during late-night low-low tides. If anyone in the area has questions about the night work, she said, they can email lowmanbeach@seattle.gov.

P.S. A brief update on the project is also planned during Wednesday night’s quarterly Morgan Community Association meeting, 7 pm online – viewing/participation info is in our calendar listing.

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Also at Lincoln Park: Unusual bird sighting
January 17, 2022 5:36 pm
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

Before sunset, we got multiple reports (thanks to Megan for the photo) about that rooster, seen and heard in upper Lincoln Park. Not likely it’s a lost pet, as they’re against city rules. We advised reporting to Seattle Animal Shelter but they’re closed for the holiday.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Car broken into in park lot
January 17, 2022 2:43 pm
|      19 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

Heads up if this afternoon’s sunshine has you planning on driving to a local park. Just sent by Franki:

We wanted to share that sometime from 11:40 to 12:40 this morning our car was broken into while we were strolling in Lincoln Park. We parked our car in upper parking lot along Fauntleroy. The right side window was smashed and my mom’s purse was stolen. We are a bit befuddled on how this happened because there were so many people around in the parking lot! Just remember to stay safe and don’t leave belongings visible in your car.

General advice is not to leave anything in your car, visible or not – thieves have been known to break in on spec.

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YOU CAN HELP: Lincoln Park forest restoration for MLK Day of Service weekend
January 6, 2022 10:04 am
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

Looking for a way to volunteer on Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day weekend? The West Seattle High School Green Team, Friends of Lincoln Park, YMCA, and Green Seattle Partnership invite you to a youth-led urban-restoration event at Lincoln Park, 10 am-1 pm on January 15th. All are welcome – they’ll be meeting near the north map kiosk by Fauntleroy Way SW and SW Rose. Here’s the flyer with the QR code for registration, and contact information if you have questions.

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LOWMAN BEACH: Nighttime work ahead
January 4, 2022 4:02 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

(December photo, by Mike Munson)

Three and a half months after work to remove the crumbling Lowman Beach Park seawall began, Seattle Parks says night work is ahead so the project can stay on schedule. Here’s the announcement:

Seattle Parks and Recreation and McClung Construction have reached a milestone with the Lowman Beach Park seawall and beach restoration project. Two main components of this project are complete: demolition of the existing failed concrete seawall, as well as drilling and installation of the steel piles that provide structural support for the new seawall.

The next critical phase of work involves installation of the new precast concrete seawall. This work will occur between January 11 – 24, 2022 and must be performed at night to take advantage of the low tides. The installation of the precast concrete seawall must occur before February 15 when the in-water work window that protects fish and shellfish habitats closes. The time limitation for work is a requirement of Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and the workable low tides in January and February occur outside normal working hours.

Two night work windows at low tides will occur for:

-Preparing for the permanent installation of new seawall segments which will require up to four nights of work, however, could possibly be completed in one or two nights.

-Installing the precast wall panels, which is expected to take another three to four work nights.

Our Temporary Noise Variance Permit is currently approved for work between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. starting Tuesday, January 11, 2022, and must be completed by Monday, January 24 at 7 a.m. Although the permit allows for 14 nights of work, we expect to work a maximum of eight nighttime shifts.

McClung Construction will do what is feasible to minimize noise levels as much as possible.

Thank you to the neighbors for their patience and cooperation during the Lowman Beach Park seawall and beach restoration project.

Project background is here.

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FOLLOWUP: This may finally be the year for long-delayed Don Armeni Boat Ramp project
January 2, 2022 5:59 pm
|    Comments Off on FOLLOWUP: This may finally be the year for long-delayed Don Armeni Boat Ramp project
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

(WSB file photo)

The long-delayed dock replacement at Don Armeni Boat Ramp is getting closer to reality. This past week, the city published notice of a key approval for the project, opening a window for appeals (as explained in the notice). But that’s not what’s been holding up the project, which we first reported on almost five years ago. The Seattle Parks project page says federal permitting has held up the project: “The Army Corps of Engineers and National Marine Fisheries Service were confronted with several emergent priority projects (West Seattle Bridge) and regulatory changes.” But they’re expecting the federal permit in time for this summer/fall’s “in-water construction” season. The $1.5 million project proposes sturdier, larger replacements for the existing floating docks and pilings. According to the current description, 16-inch steel pilings will replace the current 12-inch wood pilings, and the docks’ square footage will increase by a third, adding 691 square feet more “over-water coverage” to the existing 1,869 square feet. To compensate for that, Parks says, it will reduce overwater coverage at Pier 63 downtown. Parks promises to keep Don Armeni open to boaters during the work: “We will not shut the facility down during construction, we will replace the floats one side at a time.”

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WEST SEATTLE WEATHER: Lincoln Park tree trouble
December 24, 2021 1:23 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks | West Seattle weather

Thanks to Tom Trulin for the photo – another big tree down in Lincoln Park. Rain and wind kicked up for a while overnight. The weather’s not expected to get too dramatic for the rest of today or even tomorrow – still no alerts/advisories for our area. The National Weather Service‘s “forecawt discussion” should be updated again in a few hours, but in the meantime, it’s not projecting the temperature drop to start before Sunday, and the prospect of serious snow remains iffy.

P.S. If you encounter fallen trees or any other Seattle Parks maintenance problem, the after-hours number is 206-684-7250.

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WEST SEATTLE BIRDS: Christmas Day walk
December 23, 2021 9:48 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks | Wildlife

Thanks to Jon Anderson for the woodpecker photo. If you love birds, and will have free time on Christmas afternoon, one of your neighbors is organizing a bird walk in Lincoln Park, 1 pm to 3 pm Saturday. “No experience necessary; all levels of expertise are welcome!” says volunteer naturalist Merle, who sent the announcement. We’re mentioning it in case you miss it among all the holiday info in our calendar. Full details here, including where in the park to meet.

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FOLLOWUP: Alki Beach’s new restroom building finally opens
December 1, 2021 10:58 am
|      22 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

A short time ago, Seattle Parks workers took down the fence and finally opened the long-complete comfort-station replacement at 57th SW and Alki Avenue SW. We’ve been trying for two weeks to get a status update and were most recently told last night by Parks spokesperson Rachel Schulkin that this was the latest hangup: “We are working on new technology for automatic locking doors to better address onslaught of vandalism currently occurring at restrooms throughout the city’s park system.” Then this morning she sent word that the restroom building (aka comfort station) would open this morning. This comes three months after Parks had told us the new building was “very close to opening,” Before that, there was an estimated opening date in late July, as they awaited structural-steel materials. Construction of the $638,000 three-stall comfort station began in late January, which in turn was about a year behind the original (pre-pandemic) schedule. This building replaced an old two-stall brick building that had accessibility challenges.

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VIDEO: High Point celebration lights up trees and hearts
November 19, 2021 10:07 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   High Point | Holidays | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

A crowd gathered tonight at High Point Commons Park for a first-ever seasonal celebration. It was billed as “Fruit Tree Lighting,” but the lights extended beyond the tiny trees planted last spring as the start of a community orchard. As shown in our video above, community builder Ella McRae led the crowd in a countdown that ended with attendees switching on battery-powered handheld tea lights, as well as the illumination of the little trees. The event also included a community resource fair with a variety of organizations participating, and music from the West Seattle High School Band. The orchard is near the West Seattle Bee Garden on the north end of the park.

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SAVING ROXHILL BOG: First, fix ‘the bathtub’
November 19, 2021 2:11 pm
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   Environment | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

(Images from meeting presentation – above, Roxhill Park and Bog)

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Imagine you want to take a bath – but not only can you not draw enough water to fill the tub, the water you do get keeps draining out.

That’s the problem with Roxhill Bog, experts and advocates believe, and as unveiled at this week’s community meeting, they have a plan that might fix it.

“Might” is the important word here – so they’re going to try an experiment on part of the endangered wetland, which is all that’s left of a 10,000-year-old peat bog that once stretched far beyond the remnant that exists – dry as it is – mostly on the south side of city-owned Roxhill Park.

Wednesday night’s meeting had many of the same participants who gathered more than a year and a half ago – just before the pandemic shut down in-person meetings – to accelerate the effort to keep the bog from being lost forever.

This time, interested and/or involved parties gathered online to talk and hear about what’s been learned and what happens next.

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