Ken Olsen looks at the options for the expanded park area of Morgan Junction Park presented by Seattle Parks during the Morgan Junction Festival on June 17. An online survey is now active hoping to collect more public input on the amenities the public prefers in the project.
Seattle Parks is hoping to get more public input on the expansion of Morgan Junction Park at 6413 California Ave SW, 98136 after first sharing the options with the public during the Morgan Junction Festival on June 17. They have published an online survey that details the two primary options and lists potential program elements in the area to the north of the existing park. Seattle Park District provides $1,260,000 for planning, design and construction.
In 2014, Seattle Parks and Recreation purchased the .28-acre property at 6311 California Ave SW, north of Morgan Junction Park, to expand the park and provide additional open space for this high-density neighborhood. The design will incorporate accessibility in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and additional park elements will be incorporated after gathering public input. Construction and completion should happen by the end of 2020.
The addition parcel will not be accessible during construction.
Here are the options under consideration.
Site Configuration A
- SW Eddy Street right of way to remain
- Right of way to be treated as paved festival street/plaza/woonerf
- Existing and proposed park spaces remain separated by paved right of way and light vehicular traffic
- Residential vehicular access would need to be monitored/controlled to maintain safety between park spaces.
Site Configuration B
- SW Eddy right of way to be vacated
- Park areas would be combined into singular, contiguous park space
- Vehicular access for park staff only
- Lower safety concerns due to removal of pedestrian/vehicle conflicts
- Larger overall park square footage
- Strong buffer/edge between park and alley
They are also seeking public preference as to program elements within the park including:
1. Community Classroom
2. Pavilion/Band Shell
3. Mounded Play
4. Movable Furniture
5. Tree Grove Planting
6 Reading Room
7. Sustainable Streetscape
8. Food Cart/Truck Access
9. Event Venue
10. Natural Play Elements
11. Pollinator Plantings
12. Outdoor Fitness Area
13. Catenary Lighting
14. Woonerf/Festival Street
15. Signature Specimen Tree
16. Table Tennis
17. Group Dining Area
18. Bocce Ball
19. Edible Landscape
20. Swing/Hammock Seating
21. Sculptural Play
22. Shuffleboard
23. Outdoor Cinema
24. Checkers/Chess
25. Craft Fair/Market
26. Rain Garden Planting
27. Buffer Planting
28. Large/Iconic Play
29. Tricycle Track
30. Native/Adaptive Planting
31. Signature Lighting
32. Shade Area
33. Platform Seating
34. Built-In Lounge Seating
35. Pet Relief Area
36. West Seattle Trail Map/Communication Kiosk
I would go with option # 2 and try to include the following:
Pavilion/Band Shell
Tree Grove Planting
Food Cart/Truck Access
Built-In Lounge Seating
Pet Relief Area
West Seattle Trail Map/Communication Kiosk