By MATT PATNEAUDE

The second of three programming workshops for the development of a Greenwood Park site concept plan was held on March 15 at the Greenwood Senior Center. Landscape architects Roger Dane and Dave McNeal from JGM Landscape Architects presented three separate diagrams of the proposed park based on site impressions and comments from the first public workshop held in February.

Nearly 40 area residents were in attendance to give input about what they liked, or did not like about each of the three diagrams. McNeal said the meeting was a chance to "give the community some authorship" of the park.

The 2.2 acre park site sits directly north of N. 87th street and is bordered by Evanston Avenue N. to the west and Fremont Avenue N. to the east. Greenhouses and other structures containing lead and asbestos currently cover part of the park site. These buildings are set to be torn down sometime this spring.

Citizens at the meeting formed groups to discuss the three alternatives. While there was not one clear-cut favorite, a general consensus was reached on what aspects of each plan should be included in the park.

All three diagrams featured a meadow in the middle of the park that will be flexible for a variety of activities. Residents were supportive of constructing earth mounds in the meadow, possibly creating a small amphitheater effect. A play area in the northern section of the park was also included on each plan.

Other ideas for the park that received strong support were construction of a trellis near the play area, meandering pathways set back from the street, an open swale to collect runoff, flower gardens, and a small children's garden in the southeast corner near the Greenwood Boys and Girls Club. Benches, a composting bathroom, and some type of historical or interpretive marker are also amenities that citizens would like to see included in the park.

According to Kate Kaehny of the Seattle Parks and Recreation Department, a local flower or garden club will need to sign a long-term contract to care for the flower garden. Kaehny also stated that the pathways and bathroom would need to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. While many residents expressed their desire to have pathways that are soft and permeable, Kaehny pointed out that asphalt or concrete paths meet A.D.A. standards and are easier to maintain.

Tree plantings at the edge of the park were a topic discussed by Dane. It will not be a dense stand of trees, but rather taller trees that allow people to walk underneath and light to come through. Citizens were supportive of planting trees in a non-linear fashion to give them a more natural look rather than conforming to the squareness of a city block.

The biggest challenge for the park at this point is money. A $10,000 grant from the City of Seattle covered the development of the concept plan. The remaining phases of the project - drafting of construction documents and actual construction - remain unfunded. Lori Kinnear, chair of the park project's steering committee, stressed the need for fundraising volunteers.

"We really need some fundraising help," said Kinnear.

Dane and McNeal recorded comments from the meeting goers and will put those together in developing one concept plan that will be presented at the next programming workshop. This meeting will again take place at the Greenwood Senior Center, 525 N. 85th, on Thursday, April 27, beginning at 7 p.m.

Those interested in volunteering or receiving more information can contact the Greenwood Neighborhood Service Center at 684-4096.