Parks Committee Approves Opportunity Fund Acquisitions For SW Seattle

Home » Parks Committee Approves Opportunity Fund Acquisitions For SW Seattle

City of Seattle
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 8/9/2013

Councilmember Tom Rasmussen

Parks Committee Approves Opportunity Fund Acquisitions For SW Seattle

SEATTLE – The Council Parks and Neighborhoods committee approved funding to develop parks and recreation facilities and acquisition of land for future parks and open space. Funding will be provided from the 2008 voter approved Parks Levy “Opportunity Fund”.

Community groups and individuals in a competitive process nominate parks projects and land for acquisition. The proposals are evaluated by the Parks and Green Spaces Levy Oversight Committee which makes final recommendations to the Mayor, Parks Superintendent, and City Council. This round of Opportunity projects totals $8,000,000 for parks improvements and acquisition throughout the City. The entire list of projects and locations is available online.

West Seattle, South Park and Highland Park have two purchases and one improvement project that are recommended to be funded.

In West Seattle, a park will be created at 48th Avenue SW and SW Charlestown Street. The acquisition in West Seattle will allow a vacant lot to become a small park with the opportunity for recreation and physical activities along with plantings and potential gardening opportunities.

The South Park project is the “South Park Plaza” at 14th Ave. S. and S. Dallas Street. The acquisition in South Park will develop a prominent piece of land into a park near the new South Park Bridge at the gateway to the community providing needed open space and a connection to the Duwamish River.

The improvements to Highland Park Playground will add new play equipment to provide additional variety and options for visitors. Highland Park Playground at 1100 SW Cloverdale Street will include better access and an improved playground. Enhancements to access points and pathways will increase usability and safety and provide better access to the neighborhood.

“Each project was proposed by nearby residents,” said Councilmember Tom Rasmussen. “I am thrilled that the City can help meet the unique needs and the vision of each neighborhood for parks and open spaces,” Rasmussen added.

[View in Council Newsroom]