Seattle Parks and Recreation posted this information on their website:
Laurelhurst Firepit to remain open (
Over the years, many community members have shared concerns about vandalism and unattended fires at the Laurelhurst firepit. When Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) recently proposed addressing these concerns through the removal of the firepit, many community members reached out to say that they were not pleased with this plan.
We heard from many of you about how this firepit still serves as an important community gathering location and how it holds lots of value to the Laurelhurst community. So for now, SPR will not be moving forward with plans to remove the firepit.
We will continue to listen to and respond to public concerns, and will follow the community’s lead on how we can best support community-building efforts and safety in this neighborhood.
If you have comments or concerns about the firepit, please email pks_info@seattle.gov.
However, Parks did not inform the Laurelhurst Community Club about their decision until February 10th, a few minutes before their monthly Board meeting. And neighbors found out about it, through each other as there was no information posted on any neighborhood websites.
A neighbor pointed out that it is interesting that Parks published that the firepit would stay on Nextdoor the day they published the information on their Parkways site. But when they were going to remove the firepit, Parks didn't publish this information on Nextdoor. Neighbors said it seemed quite evident that Parks was trying to follow through with the removal under the radar, without the neighborhood knowing about it, without seeking any input from the community or contacting LCC or the Blog to get the information out.
Rachel, Parks spokesperson, told the Laurelhurst Blog that Parks shared the information on their blog, their websites, Twitter and Facebook. Rachel is incorrect, as the information was not on the LCC website and LCC told the Laurelhurst Blog that they just found out the decision the same day as their recent LCC meeting last month. The Laurelhurst Blog found a post on Park's Twitter and Facebook, but not until 3 days after their Parkways post.
Rachel also told the Laurelhurst Blog when they were moving forward with the firepit removal:
Both community members and staff who have worked at Laurelhurst community center have expressed concerns over the years of the dangerous activity that happens at the fire pit. In response to these concerns, we proposed the removal of the fire pit. The concerns are unattended fires or lit embers, drinking, vandalism, littering, and fires happening outside of the fire pit. These concerns were shared with our grounds and community center staff over years and so we don’t have a written record.
The Laurelhurst Blog asked Rachel about the complaints received - how many, when and nature of the complaints and Rachel she said that Parks had not documented one single complaint over the years to support the information she posted in her Parkways media release post. Yet these undocumented comments were what closure of the firepit was based upon.
Parks also never solicited feedback from the community regarding their sudden decision that has an impact on many members of the community and beyond, though Rachel said she did ask for feedback, which is not accurate. Neighbors commented Parks when word got out, not the other way around.
Neighbors commented following the most recent media release:
Parks also never solicited feedback from the community regarding their sudden decision that has an impact on many members of the community and beyond, though Rachel said she did ask for feedback, which is not accurate. Neighbors commented Parks when word got out, not the other way around.
Neighbors commented following the most recent media release:
It seems Parks was really trying to close the firepit and do it under the radar, as there are so many avenues to get information out and quickly.
Parks also didn't mention in their latest media release they a neighbor hand deliver almost 500 signatures from an on-line petition started by a long-time neighbor who said "A vocal minority has the parks department closing down the fire pit in Laurelhurst Park. Please sign this petition to save the fire pit!"
It is surprising that the the public had to initiate contact to Parks, once the public found out about parks's very quiet action.
Parks should have solicited public input from the neighborhood, some of us have lived in Laurelhurst since 1970 and are not in favor of removal!!
In 2007, the fire pit was in jeapordy of being removed, and LCC supported the recommendation of some neighbors to remove it. Seattle Parks' Royal Alley-Barnes presented her plan at an LCC meeting for the removal and recommendation of replacement with a portable unit. LCC suggested that the Community Center Advisory group have an opportunity to weigh in on this decision.
A group of neighbors were very vocal against removal of the fire pit asked for a formal public process to weigh in on the final decision. The group said that there was lack of public input and that there a certain uniqueness of the urban fire pit as well as a decades-long history and tradition of the fire pit.
It is unlawful (a) to ignite or maintain any fire or to participate in igniting, maintaining or using any fire within any park except in a designated stove or fire ring or (b) to ignite in any stove or fire ring any household rubbish or other material banned from outdoor burning by air pollution control regulations, or (c) to ignite or maintain a fire in any fire ring during any stage on an air pollution episode declared by the Puget Sound Air Pollution Control Agency. All fires within parks are prohibited between the hours of eleven p.m. (11:00 p.m.) and six a.m. (6:00 a.m.).
The Seattle Parks and Recreation website says:
Light fires only in designated fire pits. Burn only clean firewood like bare, clean dry cordwood (chemically treated wood like lumber releases a strong-smelling, dirty smoke into the air and burning pallets can leave nails and debris on the beach) Douse your fire completely with water before leaving. Dispose of trash and ashes in the containers provided for each. Be considerate of others – no amplified music Alcohol is not permitted in Seattle parks.
In addition, the Laurelhurst Park closes at 10pm daily and everyone is required to leave at that time. Residents are encouraged to call 911 to report disturbances, especially those after 10pm in the Park.
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