Playground Project Plans

The first phase of improvements is based on a nine-month-long community involvement process that included three collaborative design workshops and resulted in a final Master Plan for the school site. 

 
What does the Master Plan include?
  • Playground renovation with a focus on improved access (handicap accessibility), safety, and visibility, as well as expanded play opportunities. Both active and passive play opportunities would be incorporated; a greater variety of physical challenges would be provided to a broader range of ages.
  • Expanded opportunities for learning would be offered throughout the site. These opportunities would include tables and workspaces for regular curricular activities, as well as hands-on environmental education elements. These hands-on features include a stormwater/rain garden, a food composting area, and a soils/erosion control/native plant experimentation site.
  • Neighborhood amenities including more welcoming playground entrance, expanded seating, picnic areas, Seattle skyline views, and landscaping.
  • Introduction of global and cultural diversity through use of art, games, and color.
 
What does the first phase of improvements include?
  • We have chosen to focus on the most pressing needs and the most cost effective changes as listed below:
    • Expansion of the playground space with relocation of fencing near the east entrance – this entrance will be enhanced for pedestrian safety.
    • A new handicap accessible entrance on the west side of the playground will provide a more welcoming feel for the neighborhood, improve access for a variety of users, and include more plentiful bike parking.
    • A new play structure geared toward older children and encouraging more upper–body strength will increase play opportunities for a wider range of ages and add to the variety of challenges available on the playground.
    • Relocation of and increased number of play courts will make safer and more efficient use of play space and improve traffic flow and overall safety on the playground.
    • Relocation of benches and addition of picnic tables will enhance community through improved leisure opportunities and less restricted view of playground activities and Lake Union, downtown, Queen Anne, Capitol Hill, etc.
    • New environmentally-sensitive landscaping will increase green space and improve aesthetics and environmental qualities of the site.