Sparks flew between impassioned speakers for and against the proposed California Place Park at a recent meeting attended by 80 Admiral residents and Seattle Parks Department and Neighborhood Planning representatives.

The meeting, called a "public workshop" by city officials, to discuss the future of a quarter-acre semi-wooded triangle that hugs the east side of Admiral Congregational Church and borders Southwest Hill Street and the busier California Avenue.

Seattle Parks and Recreation owns the site, and Neighborhood Matching Funds is offering $15,000 to install a "playscape" on the site. A playscape is not a plastic or metal jungle gym but instead a collection of logs, boulders, edible and aromatic plantings and other organic features.

Shortly after the parks department's neighborhood matching fund planner Kellee Jones went over art renderings and aerial photographs of the parcel, the speeches began.

Opponents complained that California Avenue has too much traffic for a park's boundary and that the playscape concept is geared toward tots only.

Also discussed was the triangle of lawn directly southwest of the site that borders Ferry Avenue. There are no plans to develop the piece that is owned by the Seattle Department of Transportation. However, Seattle Parks has its eye on it for a future public space.

"The (current) park has always been the same for use by everyone," said Jake Couch before the meeting. Couch is a longtime Admiral resident who attended first grade at Lafayette School in 1938. "I'm not against kids, but there's playground equipment right here in Hiawatha Park. California Avenue is too busy for a park for kids. Where there's a playground, there's a ball. Where there's a ball, there's a ball on the street."

Pre-teen Natalie Fuller gave the first speech of the evening.

"A playscape is for very young children and not for the average kid in this neighborhood," she said. Her father, Maurice, followed with his statement.

"Playscapes are useful from (ages) zero to two," he said, picking up on her theme. "What we've got in this little triangle is a very unique place to meditate, contemplate, and enjoy life. It reminds me of a little slice of Central Park in New York, or Hyde Park in London. Repurposing the park to target a narrow demographic is limiting."

He and his daughter received thunderous applause.

Ann Limbaugh with "Friends and Neighbors of North Admiral," or "FANNA," took the opposing side and assured the audience that no trees would be cut down, and stressed that no plastic is involved in playscape developments, only natural features. She said that plantings and natural boundaries have shown to keep kids safe in other Seattle parks located on busy streets.

One Admiral neighborhood activist observing quietly in the back who wanted to remain anonymous said privately, "This is unbelievable. I can't believe families here are arguing so strongly against a grant for a park for kids in their own neighborhood."

"We spend so much time in every playground that isn't in the area and would like one closer to home," said Christine Bartels, also privately, with her baby, Sarah, in her arms. She did not speak publicly.

"We've got a lot of people (for the park) onboard," said Limbaugh after the meeting. She has two children, a one year-old and three year-old. "We have a mailing list of over 200. Some people who have kids find it tough to make these meetings, and some who did attend are not confrontational. Many sat quietly in the back and did not want to speak. I didn't like the angry tone at all. It discourages those who want to come to the table to find common ground. I was embarrassed to be a North Admiral resident and don't want to perpetuate the anger. Everyone wants a green natural space."

Adding to the controversy, there were personal attacks made over the months against Manuela Slye, who helped found FANNA. She operates her home-based daycare pre-school, Cometa, near the site and some accuse her of pushing for the park to financially further her business. She attended the meeting with her husband Matthew in support of the park.

"Her motivations are pure," said Limbaugh. "We have examples of businesses initiating an area park in Seattle that may benefit them, but the parks also better their community."

For more information on FANNA, go to www.californiaplacepark.wordpress.org

Steve Shay may be contacted at steves@robinsonnews.com