By Gwen Davis

Seattle Parks and Recreation kicked off the second public meeting for the Highland Park play area renovation project on Tues. About 25 people attended. Feedback from the first meeting was already incorporated into the two different plans presented.

Here is what you need to know:

—> This community-initiated project will improve the usability and safety for the Highland Park play area. The goal of the project is to create a cohesive park space, improve access, and provide new play features, according to Seattle Parks. It’s funded by the Parks and Green Spaces Levy Opportunity Fund providing $175,000, as well as possible additional funding resources. The play area project is located at Highland Park, in West Seattle.

—> The primary issue brought up at the meeting was a debate on where to put the playground. If the playground is moved, there will be greater access to the park. But several parents said that they wanted the playground to stay where it is — near the entrance of the park — in order to be able to keep track on their kids. However, meeting participants from the general neighborhood said that they would like the playground moved in favor of better accessibility for the public.

"I think it’s important to have an entry into your park and if you have a play area there, it blocks that,” said Pamela Alspaugh the lead landscape architect who also facilitated the meeting. "But if you want it there, we’ll put it there. Right now, everyone’s crammed right together but you have a great big park."

But still, while many parents agreed, they were adamant about keeping the playground where it is. "It really works for me,” one parent said. “We have multiple kids, when one needs to go to the bathroom, it’s nice to keep the kids close,” another parent added.

Near the end of the meeting, Alspaugh went around the room and each participant what he or she thought about moving the playground. Alspaugh herself said that either option works and it all boils down to what the community wants.

The playground structure was built in 1998, and 20 years is considered its useful life.

—> The next and final public meeting for this project will be on March 3, 6:30-7:45 at Highland Park Elementary School

Summary of other key points:

“Have you given consideration to the views from the neighbors' houses? They’ll want privacy and that’s a security feature,” one participant said. Alspaugh responded that “we’ve done similar plans in the past few years and have not had complaints from the neighbors.” She said she wants to increase neighbors’ sense of guardianship over the park.

“Will the school have easier access to the play area or will they have to go around a wall?” one parent asked. “We can’t build stairways or a slope because that’s school property,” Alspaugh said.

One participant mentioned: “All the tagging and the graffiti, if the playground is moved, it’ll increase tenfold.”

Regarding new signs Alspaugh said that “We’re going to contact SDOT about putting in crosswalks". Currently, there are no crosswalks or signs.

The school district reportedly noted it didn’t want students playing on swings. But since this property is not just for the school, Alspaugh said she’s disregarding that.

“The school doesn’t like swings, but I think you all like swings. The school doesn’t have to use them,” Alspaugh said, smiling.

At the end of the meeting Alspaugh stated that people will have to prioritize what they want to spend the money on. For instance, people might want to save some of the money allocated for the playground for a year, and apply it to fitness equipment.

From the last meeting, everyone unanimously agreed they wanted the park to be easily accessible from the surrounding streets. Currently the park is underutilized.

The new facility will also feature a picnic plaza, and an event plaza to rent.