A final design for the California Place Park, in the Admiral District, is currently being completed since the project's last community design meeting.

The park includes a small triangle of land on California Avenue Southwest and Southwest Hill Street, just outside the Admiral Church.

Friends and Neighbors of North Admiral (FANNA), a group of local park supporters, applied for a city Small and Simple Matching Funds grant of $15,000, which they received in November 2008 and have used to fund the park's design.

After three sessions where architect Karen Kiest collected feedback from the community, she expects to complete the design by the end of May, although no community presentation is planned.

In her latest design Kiest presented a "wonder walk," which stretched around existing trees and made the park seem larger.

"It describes opportunities, shows what civic, historic and child friendly things could happen there," said Kiest.

A second option for the park incorporated property on the north end of the park which is currently covered in asphalt.

Kiest's presentation also suggested a future opportunity to incorporate a southern triangle of land that is also owned by the Seattle Parks Department.

Ann Limbaugh, a founder of FANNA, said community opinions on the project remain mixed. Nonetheless, she described Keist's most recent design for the park as "elegant and timeless."

"It would be a great addition to the neighborhood," said Limbaugh.

Community members have questioned whether the park's elements were appropriate for children, since it does not include any play structures. But Kiest pointed out that the design integrates a soft spot for children along the interior walk, a learning landscape of native plants and a "dry creek" of rocks that serves as a barrier for children.

Still, other community members don't want to see any change to the property. Jan Bailey, a resident in the park neighborhood, has lead a "No Change to the Park" campaign and collected nearly 700 signatures on a petition.

"I feel the whole thing was started for the wrong reason, for someone’s personal gain," said Bailey.

Bailey has accused park organizers for having personal motives and says the park is not a good use of tax dollars.

"I'm hoping we'll reach a beautiful compromise that will serve the neighborhood well,” said Limbaugh.

FANNA is planning to host a volunteer appreciation event at the park site in May of June, though a finalized date has yet to be determined.