After a ten year wait and lots of hurdles the Junction Plaza Park will finally be open to the public next Tuesday in a Grand Opening Celebration sponsored by the West Seattle Junction Association, the Seattle Parks Foundation and Seattle Parks and Recreation.
Last weekend, 35 volunteers showed up to add 800 plants to the space and only minor brick, cement and electrical work remain according to Project Manager for Parks Gary Gibbons.

Seattle Parks Department release:
Join in the community celebration for the new Junction Plaza Park on Tuesday, June 29, 2010 at 5:30 p.m. West Seattle Junction Association (WSJA), Junction Neighborhood Organization, Seattle Parks Foundation, and Seattle Parks and Recreation are hosting a festive evening ribbon cutting event for this new gathering space that will include music, an official ribbon cutting and light refreshments.

"This new park will provide opportunities for community gatherings, a place to meet friends, and a place for leisure in the heart of The Junction. The Junction Association and neighborhood groups have been working towards this goal for almost 10 years and it's a pleasure to see it underway,” says WSJA Director Susan Melrose.

Erica Karlovits, President of JuNO continues, "We are so excited to be able to protect and use the limited green space we have left in our ever growing urban village. The creation of Junction Plaza Park is an incredible addition to our vibrant community."

Junction Plaza Park, designed by landscape architect Karen Kiest, features a plaza, complete with brick and concrete seating; a lawn with decorative benches; and a central performance area. All planting will be Northwest natives, including Vine maple, Northwest Flowering dogwood, Oregon grape and Sword fern. The new park is located at 4545 42nd Ave SW. The vacant 6,700 sq. ft. site has been transformed into an urban green space in the heart of the vibrant West Seattle Junction business district.

The park represents a strong partnership between the West Seattle Junction Association (WSJA) and the Junction Neighborhood Association (JuNO). It is the result of incredible fund raising efforts by the community, Seattle Parks Foundation, and funding from the Pro Parks Levy and a Department of Neighborhoods Matching Fund Grant.

“The fact that we were able to achieve our fundraising goals in such a poor economic climate is a strong testament to the local support for parks and green space,” said Karen Daubert, Executive Director, Seattle Parks Foundation. “We are thankful to all the donors that helped provide this new public space for West Seattle.”

For more information please visit: http://seattle.gov/parks/ProParks/projects/JunctionPlazaDev.htm or contact Gary Gibbons, project manager at 206-386-1511 or gary.gibbons@seattle.gov.