At the next Wallingford Community Council meeting, on August 3rd at 7p, the public can hear about upcoming improvements planned for Gas Works Park. Currently scheduled to be done this winter and next spring, these changes to the playground, comfort station and east entry could be significant to regular users of this landmark park. The meeting will take place at the Good Shepherd Center, at 4649 Sunnyside Ave N.
On August 3rd, Seattle Parks & Recreation project manager Jay Rood will give a briefing on current plans for improvements at Gas Works, and answer questions from attendees. To use resources more efficiently, Seattle Parks chose to combine three improvement projects into one construction period, upgrading components constructed in 1974.
The three projects encompass:
- The play area equipment, now over 40 years in age, will be replaced and access will be improved
- The comfort station renovation includes new features along with reviving others, improved safety and accessibility, and an upgrade to current operational requirements with the new guidelines for universal restrooms and a minimum of five stations
- The east entry improvements include addressing ADA requirements in the parking area and more accessible routes into the park
Funding for the play area, $1.4 million, for planning, design and construction, comes from the 2008 Parks & Green Spaces Levy. Listed as a Seattle Historical Landmark, registered with Washington State Historic, and on the National Register of Historic Places, Gas Works Park has a significant place in our city as well as our community.
Currently, this project is projected for construction to start at the end of the summer, for completion by summer 2017. For more information on the improvement project, visit the Seattle Parks website, or contact Jay Rood at 206/733-9194 or jay.rood@seattle.gov