Demolition date set for Greenwood Park

After months of meetings and discussions, the first step in construction of the proposed Greenwood Park is set to begin this month. Greenhouses on the site containing lead and asbestos will be demolished and removed.

The 2.2-acre park site, purchased by Seattle Parks and Recreation in November 1999, is located at 602 N. 87th Street. The site was recently officially named "Greenwood Park" by the Parks Department.

Besides the former greenhouses, soil contaminated from underground fuel tanks also will be removed. An abatement specialist has been hired by the City to oversee the project.

Demolition and clean-up was originally scheduled for several months ago, but was delayed while the necessary funding was secured. Seattle Parks' Eleanor Mason, project manager of the demolition, said that funds were raised working with the Parks Department budget department. "It was a matter of saying 'we really need to get this done'," Mason said.

While funding for the demolition is in place, money for actual construction of the park has yet to be raised. One possibility is the Pro Parks Levy that will be on the ballot in November. There is also a group of citizens involved with a Greenwood Park fundraising committee.

A concept plan for the park was put together earlier this year by JGM Landscape Architects with the input of local citizens. A $10,000 grant from the City funded that portion of the park's development. For more information, or to volunteer, call the Greenwood Neighborhood Service Center at 206-684-4096.

Meridian Playground project on track

Proposed improvements to the Meridian Park Playground are coming closer to reality, as Seattle Parks and Recreation took the last round of public comments on the project, located at Meridian Avenue N. between N. 46th and N. 50th, at a meeting last month.

Those final comments will be taken into consideration as bid documents are drawn up by the Parks Department. Construction documents based on a community developed concept plan are then slated for completion by this fall.

Actual construction of the renovated Meridian Park is scheduled to begin in January 2001, with completion of the project occurring in late spring 2001.

Some of the park's features will include a large play area and three satellite play areas. Also included will be swings for both toddlers and older children. Chris Gedye, a volunteer with Friends of Meridian Playground, said that the park will have a "literary theme."

This may include statues of famous children's book characters, printed quotes from children's books, and naming some of the play equipment after children's books. Also, $75 donor stones that will be placed in a donor's circle can be engraved with a family name or the name of a favorite book.

Gedye adds that the historic grounds, complete with stone pillars at the entrance, will help make the new playground "secret garden-like."

For more information, or to volunteer, call Lisa Kuh, Friends of Meridian Park chairperson, at 545-3715.

Accord expected on proposed Northacres Off-Leash Area

An agreement on the rules and operation of a proposed off-leash dog site at Northacres Park is expected to be signed soon by several local citizen groups. The Haller Lake Community Club, Friends of Northacres Park, Citizens for Off-Leash Areas and the Seattle Parks Department are expected to sign the agreement that satisfies issues raised during the planning of the off-leash area, said Carolyn Crockett, who belongs to both the HLCC and FNP.

The signings would clear the way for construction of the off-leash area to begin. The off-leash area, located along NE 130th, just east of I-5, would operated on a trial basis as a pilot program.

The HLCC and FNP previously passed resolutions opposing the off-leash area, but now appear satisfied with the provisions included in the agreement. The provisions include documenting with photos the condition of the site in its current condition, fencing certain areas to keep dogs away from sensitive, native plants, the installation of gravel to help with drainage, and an information kiosk.

One issue raised by the HLCC and FNP that is not explicit in the agreement is limiting the number of dogs to three that each person can bring to the park. Professional dog walkers have been known to bring over a dozen dogs to other off-leash areas in and around the Seattle area. However, Crockett said that there is language in the agreement for this rule to be put into effect in the future if it becomes a problem.

Lake City Chamber holds golf tourney

The Lake City Chamber of Commerce held its sixth annual golf tournament on July 21 at the Nile Country Club in Mountlake Terrace. Organized to raise money for the Chamber, the event also offered 40 Lake City business owners and associates a good excuse to sneak away from work on a warm summer day to enjoy a round of golf.

Mike Russell, owner of Lake City's Bigfoot Car Wash and Shell gas station, shot the tournament's top men's score. The top women's score was shot by Lynn Edwards, wife of Bruce Edwards, who runs the Edward Jones Investments office in Lake City.

Even the worst golfers walked away with a prize, as there were enough prizes donated by Lake City businesses to give one to every participant. Bruce Edwards volunteered his time in organizing this year's event.