On May 16th the Parks and Neighborhood committee (PaN) voted to allow the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) to form a partnership with the Seattle Audubon Society, create the Parks and Recreation Legacy Citizen’s Advisory Committee, and appoint Michael Shiosaki to the Arboretum and Botanical Garden Committee. See the meeting agenda here, or watch [...]

Have you seen the Castle Park yet? Hail to Roxhill! Last Saturday the park was officially opened. Despite the chill, hundreds of neighbors and kids with skateboards gathered in one of the city’s newest parks. Prizes were awarded for best tricks, and new skateboards were given to a special few newcomers. Time was set aside [...]

I’ve toured several micro-housing units (none that the neighbors have described as substandard) and I’m impressed by the possibilities. Mostly they are small rooms (between 150 and 200 square feet) that have private bathrooms, a mini-refrigerator and a microwave grouped around a full kitchen and shared dining area. There might be seven or eight rooms [...]

This week in the Parks and Neighborhoods committee (Thursday April 18, 9:30am) we sent two pieces of legislation on to Full Council for Monday’s vote. See the meeting agenda here, or watch the video of the meeting here. The two bills we looked at were: C.B. 117758 (PDF Version), which increases appropriations for Bell Street Park, [...]

Fifty years ago President Kennedy called for a new way to treat mental illness.  At that time over a half a million people suffering from mental illnesses of varying forms were in institutions.  (I admit, I cannot NOT think about 1962 Ken Kesey and Big Nurse.)  Kennedy envisioned a community approach where those who needed [...]

Seattle Parks and Recreation wants public help in planning the future of Seattle’s parks, community centers and other facilities. The department has published a draft plan and would love to get your feedback on it. Read the Parks Legacy Plan here. You can email feedback to parkslegacy@seattle.gov. Quoting Acting Superintendent Christopher Williams, “Now it’s time to [...]

Bill Keller back on his feet I’m very glad to say that this morning’s committee meeting started on a positive note: Acting Superintendent of Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) Christopher Williams updated us on the progress of Bill Keller, the Executive Director of the Associated Recreational Council (ARC), who was shot on March 8. [...]

There is much I would like to write and say about the March 8 shooting of our dear friend Bill Keller from the Associated Recreation Council.  Once again we have seen gun violence in our city, and only by grace is Bill alive. I have been asked to be restrained in my comments at this [...]

In the Seattle Parks and Neighborhoods committee meeting on March 7, Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) presented this detailed response to Council’s Statement of Legislative Intent (SLI 83-1-A-1) requesting information on possible long-term sustainable funding options for DPR, as well as definitions of parks service levels and how much revenue is required to support [...]

I know we have been talking about this for years. Yes, there have been some delays, and  perhaps some missteps, but I hope those will all be long forgotten once the Bell Street Park is a reality. And that day is nearing! The idea is about to be implemented. Belltown is about to get its own linear [...]