Seattle Press on Line - Cedar Park Community to Host Opening Picnic

Cedar Park Community to Host Opening Picnic

By Unknown Writer #3

Molly Boyd (tank top), Julia Haven and Emily Boyd (pink dress) try out play equipment in the new Cedar Park.

Aug 23, 2000 -- After six years of work on a once abandoned asphalt field, Anne Paisley and other community volunteers, together with the Seattle Parks and Recreation and the Department of Neighborhoods, will host a grand opening celebration for Cedar Park.

The Parks Department and the Cedar Park community welcome the public to the grand opening picnic and party on Aug. 26 from 3 to 7 p.m. at 3737 N.E. 135th St. There will be music, food, guest speakers and neighbors who helped make the park a reality.

Six years ago, Paisley said she didn't know any of her neighbors, but now she feels she knows everyone in Cedar Park, due to the abandoned asphalt playground next to the Cedar Park Elementary School. Paisley is the property manager for the elementary school-turned-art-center. In 1995, she gathered a group of community volunteers to work on the lot to change it into a park.

"There aren't many parks here." Paisley said. "And we had a good beginning toward this one."
That beginning started when Merlino Construction worked on a Seattle Public Utilities project near the field. As part of their contract with SPU, Merlino used the field to store dirt and soil materials, then, when the project was complete, they restored the site to the grass it used to be. Merlino took up the asphalt, laid grass and a path around the field and established the shape of the future park.

Jordan Royer (top left) Eric Shulenberger and Jim Corcoran (holding ladder) install a basketball backboard as part of the new Cedar Park at 37th Avenue Northeast and Northeast 135th Street.

Parks Department Project Manager Alice Poggi said, "SPU started with a community survey and hired the consultant to design the park. Establishing the configuration of the park was part of the SPU/Merlino contract and it was finished last summer."

In the meantime, Paisley and a group of volunteers applied for and received Neighborhood Matching Fund grants, canvassing the neighborhood for donations and soliciting businesses for donations toward finishing Cedar Park. "We just received our fourth NFM grant and we got a grant from King County toward this project too," Paisley said. "We even sold engraved pavers to help with some of it."

The Cedar Park community worked together on the project, logging in volunteer hours raising funds, holding design charettes, visiting other parks for ideas. holding public meetings and physically working on the park by planting trees and other landscaping, laying stones for a decorative entry plaza, putting together play equipment and other items.

The picnic is to celebrate the opening of this six-year. Call Margie at 206-365-4770 to help with planning or party expenses.

Reader Comments

Discuss this article in the forums!


Terry Mandeville	Sep 25, 2002	Kirkland	RN
Great to see my old Grade School on the internet. The hours I spent on that playground! Great to see it being used.