Vision Greenwood Park is one major step closer to bringing a 40-plot community garden to Greenwood Park after the Seattle City Council approved a $60,000 Neighborhood Matching Fund Large Projects grant for the project Aug. 2.

"It's a huge success," said Michael Stringer, steering committee chair for Vision Greenwood Park. "We've been working toward this grant all year."

The $60,000 will be the major funding source for the P-Patch, and Stringer said it is a turning point in the move from planning to implementation.

The P-Patch will be created on one of two vacant lots along Fremont Avenue North that were acquired by the park, which lies between North 87th Street and North 89th Street.

The garden is designed to be accessible to all ages, with a number of raised beds and paved paths. Stringer said it will have plots dedicated to the Greenwood Senior Center, the North Seattle Boys & Girls Club and the Greenwood Food Bank.

He said Vision Greenwood Park is planning work parties for the fall to prepare the garden site, and construction will begin in earnest early next year. Construction will largely be done by community volunteers, and he said he hopes to have the garden open by spring.

In addition to Vision Greenwood Park, the Neighborhood Matching Fund Large Projects provided grants to 16 other organizations adding up to a total of $1.2 million. Stringer said he and Vision Greenwood Park are grateful to the city and the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods for providing the grant.

The P-Patch is just one element of Vision Greenwood Park's plans for the park. The second vacant lot will be used for a multipurpose sport court to accommodate basketball, soccer and hockey. The court, as well as a planned plaza, are designed to be skateboard-friendly.

Plans also include a new entry with a large grill, picnic tables, game tables in the central plaza, a performance meadow, exercise stations and more.

Stringer said the goal for the park, which already has a great play structure for young children, is to create activities for older children, teenagers and seniors.

Vision Greenwood Park is waiting to hear on its application for the $75,000 County Youth Sports Facility Grant, which it would use for the multipurpose sport court. The organization also has a number of grant applications out to private foundations.

Vision Greenwood Park did not receive the Seattle Parks Levy Opportunity Fund grant, which would have brought in a minimum of $250,000, it applied for earlier this year.

The organization will be hosting a celebration in Greenwood Park Aug. 22 to have fun, educate the community about the next steps for the park and attempt to raise additional funds for the project.

Use the link at the top of this article for a better view of the Greenwood Park Master Plan.