by Sarah Mackay

Approximately eleven years ago, Alki Park wasn’t what it is today. Everything has changed, even the name. Alki Park, before it became Whale Tail park consisted of a dilapidated slide (think rickety, rusty and risky), some broken spring toys, an unhinged swing set and a sandbox your cat wouldn’t want to go into.

Today, the park is a destination location one block east of Alki beach.

One day Mark took his children to the park and he was unimpressed; it just wouldn’t do for his children nor anyone else’s, so he led the charge to steadfastly transform the neighborhood play area. While the park was indeed in dire need of a rebuild, the inspiration came from Mark’s father Charlie O’Neil who years ago created a park in honor of a friend who died in a motorcycle accident.

“I couldn’t believe the state of the park and could see something needed to change, so I decided to take action. There were hurtles to overcome including gaining willing cooperation from the city, community members and public figures to support the park transformation,” he said.

Not surprising, the park is voted one of the top ten in our city by Visit Seattle. The artistic flare of the fantastic whale tail sculpture Washington artist Rich Beyer created adds a magical journey for children with a ship, cushioned- sea foam colored ground with octopus and star fish, play set with a fort and slides for kids of all ages.

There were fundraising dinners, wine tastings and basic community rallying that Mark says, “was slow at first and then built up momentum.”  The hard work paid off for everyone and then some.

His daughter, Sharlie O’Neil (her name is a variation on her grandfather Charlie O’Neil’s name) loves the park, “one of my favorite places to play as a little girl.” She said with a big smile and laugh. She’s almost as tall as her father now.

So often we give what we’ve received. As such, Mark dedicated a park bench located on the Northeast corner of the park under a cherry blossom tree to his father who died in a boating accident in 2008 (two years prior to the park project completion) and who left a legacy of which Mark has left to the community; one that wee little ones and adults alike can enjoy.

Next time someone says “meet me at Whale Tail” know there’s more to the story than meets the eye.