New Play Equipment Available For Check Out At Community Center

Wendy Kelley, a community volunteer, who  oversaw the renovation of the playground at Laurelhurst Park, along with a neighborhood volunteer group formed in 2008,  the "Play it Safe Committee," sent us an update about new play equipment that is ready for check-out at the front desk of the Community Center.

The renovated playground was opened  this past summer and is very popular with it's treehouse theme inspired by local history and geography.

Wendy writes:

I am delighted  to let everyone know that we used leftover funding from the Play it Safe at Laurelhurst Park project (new play equipment and landscaping at Laurelhurst Park) to buy some playground toys that can be checked out from the Laurelhurst Community Center.  

There are 4 square balls, soccer balls, soft footballs, jump ropes, sidewalk chalk, and sand toys. Due to the high cost, we elected not to purchase trucks for the sand box, but if you have any trucks or vehicles in good condition that you are willing to donate to the park, (or you are a frequent Value Village or Goodwill shopper and are willing to pick up some to donate) please bring them by the Community Center to be added to the collection of toys.  

The equipment is available during Community Center hours: Mondays and Wednesdays 9-6pm and Tuesdays,Thursdays and Fridays 9-2pm. The hours are later on two days as there are evening programs and staff is in the building who can monitor the items.   

The Parks Department does not typically allow this type of check-out system due to safety issues, so please return the items back to the Community Center when you are done using them.  

And please thank Cara and the staff at the Community Center for their willingness to administer the check-out system.  Brcause of them we have these wonderful additions to our play area!

Don't Miss The Annual Salmon Bake And Playground Dedication Thursday At The Park

 

Families enjoying the Salmon Bake last year

 

The annual Laurelhurst Salmong Bake is happening on Thursday from 5:30-8:30pmwith dinner, dancing and kids activities.

On the menu for dinner will be served grilled wild salmon, minted watermelon-feta salad, tangy coleslaw, Mediterranean Cous Cous, fresh rolls and organic chocolate brownies for $15 and a child salmon dinner (12 and younger) is $10. Hot dog or garden burger is $5 and steamed clams or mussels are $4.

There will also be dancing to the Hans Brehmer Quartet and carnival games for the kids with various games and prizes, face painting, bouncy house and more.

At 6:30pm there will also be a dedication with a ribbon cutting of the newly renovated playground area which opened mid-July.  Wendy Kelly, oversaw the renovation of the playground at Laurelhurst Park, along with a neighborhood volunteer group  formed in 2008, "Play It Safe." The playground has a treehouse theme and was inspired by local history and geography.

 

The Parks and Green Spaces Levy and three Department of Neighborhood Matching Fund Awards provided funding for the play area renovation, along with Children’s Hospital, the Laurelhurst Community Center Advisory Council and many neighbors.   

 

For information about the playground remodel, visit the Parks website. or the Play It Safe Facebook page.

Sponsors of the Salmon Bake event include the Laurelhurst Community Center, Lifelong Recreation, Specialized Programs staff and volunteers, special community businesses such as Metropolitan Market, Le Cordon Bleu, Era Living, Chef Melissa Maxwell and others. 

 

 



Playground At Laurelhust Park Now Open



Wendy Kelley, volunteer coordinator for the remodel of the Laurelhurst Park playground along with a committee called, "Play it Safe at Laurelhurst Park," let us know that the playground is now open. 

She writes:

Yippee -  the fence has come down and the new Laurelhurst Park Playground is open! Come on down and enjoy! 

There is still one piece of equipment,the Squak, that isn't open, but will be done this week. The Squak is the replica of the first ferry that went across Lake Washington (before 520 was built). It's a custom piece so we're the only park that will have this unique play structure for all ages.

For photos and more information about the remodel, visit the Parks website. or the Play It Safe Facebook page.



Laurelhurst Park Playground Opening Delayed Until Next Week

Playground under construction

 

Wendy Kelley, volunteer coordinator for the ongoing remodeling the Laurelhurst Park playground, with a committee called, "Play it Safe at Laurelhurst Park,"  let us know that the playground won't open today as originally thought.

The Parks Department toldl her that some missing parts to the play equipment weren't discovered until the last minute and that they have also run out of the color stain for the concrete which needed which needs to be re-orderd.

The Parks Department is hoping for delivery of the play equipment parts early next week and re-opening mid-next week and apologizes that they weren't able to keep their opening day target date. 

"We want the play area to be a good reflection on all of us who have worked on it so hard and long. It will be a fantastic play area when it opens and no one will be disappointed," one of the landscape architects with the Parks Department said.

For photos and more information about the new equipment, visit the Parks website. or the Play It Safe Facebook page.



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Laurelhurst Park Playground Expected To Re-Open July 4th

Playground under construction

 

Wendy Kelly, who is overseeing the renovation of the playground at Laurelhurst Park, in which new play equipment with a treehouse theme, inspired by local history and geography is currently being installed,would like to share an important update:

There will hopefully be more to celebrate than just America's birthday on the 4th of July - that is also the expected date that the fence will come down that has closed the Laurelhurst Park playground for the last 2 months.

The Seattle Parks and Recreation Department staff have been working hard to meet this deadline and we will keep you updated if the date changes.   

A formal celebration is being planned for late July/early August and a date will be sent out soon.  We hope to have a lot of neighbors out to celebrate this wonderful new addition to our park. 

The Play it Safe at Laurelhurst Park Committee would like to thank all of the neighbors who generously supported this project with their donations over the past 5 years, when we started the project to raise money for the toddler equipment. 

We would especially like to thank the following donors who were extremely generous, giving $500 or more to this important project. All of their names will be permanently displayed on a plaque in the park. Seattle Children's and the Laurelhurst Community Center Advisory Council were our most generous donors, each giving $5,000 to the project. Thank you! 

If you believe you gave $500+ to this project (all phases combined), and do not see your name listed, please contact Wendy Kelley at wendygkelley@hotmail.com.

It's almost time for the kids to get out there and play on all of the wonderful new equipment! 

$500 +Donors:

Doug and Susan Aley

Alpha Martial Arts

Leslie Benthien

Linda Chou and Geoff Harrison

Dan Ederer and Takayo Minakami

Steve and Wendy Kelley

Kids Place Preschool

Laurelhurst Community Center Advisory Council

The Londergan Family

David Miller and Susan Takemoto

Seattle Children's Hospital

 

For more information on the project go here or visit the "Play it Safe" playground information Facebook page. 

 

 



 

Huge pile of woodchips delivered last Wednesday

Park Playground to Be Closed Till End Of June For Renovation

renderings of the new large play structure

 

 

 

Wendy Kelley, a community volunteer, who is overseeing the renovation of the playground at Laurelhurst Park, let us know that as early as Monday, construction will begin on the final stages of the renovation of the playground, which will be completed in about eleven weeks, right around the time Laurelhurst Elementary School is out for summer break. 

Wendy and her Play it Safe Committee of neighbors, was formed in 2008 and brought about new play equipment specifically for 2-5 year olds in the playground. At that time they found out that most of the other playground equipment was over 20 years old and needed to be replaced. So the Committee has continued its work to renovate the playground to bring it up to safety standards.

Wendy wrote about the renovation and new features:

The entire play area will be fenced off and will not be accessibe during the construction.The work will include moving a couple of the smaller pieces of equipment, removal of the large play structure, the climbing web, and the tire swing.   

Thanks to funding from the Parks and Greenspaces Levy, financial support from the neighborhood, and a matching grant from the Department of Neighborhoods, new equipment will be put in its place that includes: a new tire swing, a new large play structure with multiple slides and climbing areas, and a replica of the Squak, which was the original ferry that transported neighbors across Lake Washington.   

In addition to new play equipment, additional plantings, casual seating areas and a path will be added around the play area. 

For photos and more information about the new equipment, please visit the lobby of the Laurelhurst Community Center during open hours or visit the Parks website., the Play It Safe Facebook page, Wendy at wendygkelley@hotmail.com or Virginia Hassinger, Project Manager, Seattle Parks, at virginia.hassinger@seattle.gov.



 

Vote Monday For Which Laurelhurst Park Playground Design You Would Like

 

 



 

Mondayat 6:30pm is your chance to cast your vote one for one of two playground equipment options under consideration for the Laurelhurst Park playground upcoming renovation.

Wendy Kelley, who is overseeing the process of renovating the Laurelhurst Park playground, invites the neighborhood to hear an update on the the upcoming renovations that have been in the works for several years now, to be held at the Laurelhurst Community Center.

Wendy and her Play it Safe Committee of neighbors, was formed in 2008 and brought about new play equipment specifically for 2-5 year olds in the playground. At that time they found out that most of the other Laurelhurst playground equipment was over 20 years old and needed to be replaced. So the Committee has continued its work to bring renovate the playground to bring it up to safety standards.

The renovated play area will include not only new play equipment, but a new path around the play area, improve ADA accessibility, increase seating areas, and enhanced landscaping, starting construction in the Spring with a target date of completion by June.

Wendy said:

This is your opportunity to let your voice be heard, as well as get an update on the plans for the play area and the timing of construction. Our design is completed, now we're relying on the community to help!

You will be able to see renderings of the new play equipment that will replace the large play structure, and weigh in on our final piece of "non-traditional" play equipment that we intend to order.  

We have proposals from two companies for two very different pieces of equipment and each company will provide an overview of their proposed equipment, materials used, cost, etc. Come cast your vote for the winner!
 

The Playground Fund needs only $2,000 more to meet their goal of $19,000 goal to receive the match from the Department of Neighborhoods.

All donations are tax deductible and gifts of $500 or more will receive recognition in the playground area. Prior gifts given to the playground project since 2008 are included as part of a neighbor's total gift.

For information about how to make a donation, contact Wendy Kelley, wendygkelley@hotmail.com.

You can also visit the "Play it Safe" playground information Facebook page or the Seattle Parks Laurelhurst project website.

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Shop Today And Support Funding For Yesler Swamp Trail And Laurelhurst Park Playground

Today until 8pm,  Jack Jerome (2906 NE 55th Street), a men and women's clothing store offering American made and local design,  is having a holiday shopping fundraiser with 15 percent of the sales going directly toward funding the Yesler Swamp Trail and the new Laurelhurst Park Playground.

 

The information says: "Enjoy an evening full of delicious food, holiday spirits and festive music and help these community projects!"

Kevin Kane, one of Jack Jerome’s owners who also grew up in Laurelhurst, offered to hold the fundraiser and said “When I heard of the need to raise some community dollars, hosting an event the store made a lot of sense."

Friendsof Yesler Swamp has recently been awarded $64,000, from the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods to begin building the Yesler Swamp Trail and still needs to raise $16,000 on their own by Febrary. 

The money will fund Construction Phase 1 of the Yesler Swamp Trail – a professionally designed, environmentally sensitive, all-weather, handicapped-accessible path and boardwalk through beautiful Yesler Swamp.

You can see the plans, permits and other details at the Yesler Swamp Trail website and for more information go here.

Tax-deductible donations can also be made online or by check payable to “UW Foundation – Yesler Swamp” and mailed to Friends of Yesler Swamp, c/o Carrie Cone, UW Foundation, Box 354115, Seattle, 98195-4115.
 
Solicitations for funding for improvements at the Laurelhurst Park playground is also underway. In 2008, Wendy Kelley, and a group of neighbors, formed to raise money for new toddler play equipment at the Park. During that process, Seattle Parks Department deemd that most of the play equipment in the park was due for replacement, as it is over 20 years old.

So the group has continued and is embarking on the final stages of a renovated play area to include new play equipment, new path around the play area, improve ADA accessibility, increase seating areas, and enhance landscaping, slated to begin in the Spring and be completed by June.

Through the Parks and Green Spaces Levy that passed in 2008, $100,000 has been allocated for new play equipment, which will replace the large play structure, the tire swing, and the climbing web. However there is still a lot more needed to be raised by the community.

Wendy said:

Since the space being vacated is large and the cost of play equipment is high, we are making our final efforts to raise money from the residents of Laurelhurst and the businesses nearby.

Gifts of $500 or more will receive permanent recognition in the renovated play area. This additional funding will allow us to purchase another piece of equipment to fill the space and create a wonderful new play area for children of all ages.

For information about how to make a donation, contact Wendy Kelley, wendygkelley@hotmail.com.

You can also visit the "Play it Safe" playground information Facebook page or the Seattle Parks Laurelhurst project website.

(photos courtesy of Yesler Swamp website and Play It Safe Facebook Page)