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Longfellow Creek Trail
Pro Parks Project Information

West Seattle

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Project Status | Project Description | Community Participation | Important Links

PROJECT STATUS

EVENTS:

On the 2005 Summer Solstice, Seattle Parks and Recreation held a community celebration at Roxhill Park to mark the completion of this project.

Read more about this great project.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

For more information about about Longfellow Creek, stewardship opportunities, or to schedule guided tours and presentations, contact Sheryl Shapiro at

206-615-1443

sheryl.shapiro@seattle.gov

This project is complete. Thank you, Seattle.

Seattle's newest pedestrian trail system connects neighborhoods, natural areas, parks and a variety of other community features in the Longfellow Creek valley. Additional trail markers and amenities will be provided in coming months.

LOCATION	West Seattle
BUDGET	The Pro Parks Levy provides $250,000 project costs of planning, design and construction.
SCHEDULE	Planning: 2003 Design: Spring 2004 Construction: Summer 2004 Completion: 2004

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Pro Parks Levy funding accomplished the following improvements:

1) New gravel trail segments were constructed at SW Elmgrove St. and between SW Juneau St. and SW Brandon St. These trail segments provide public access and complete the route of the Longfellow Legacy Trail as laid out by the Longfellow Creek Watershed Committee.
2) Trail markers were fabricated and installed along the 4.2 mile route, which includes park land, city streets and private property. The markers provide directional and distance information to trailheads and major features.
3) Signposts were fabricated and installed to display art panels commissioned by Seattle Arts and Cultural Affairs. The colorful photographic images of Longfellow Creek’s native plants provide wayfinding cues to help trail users navigate the trail route.
4) Interpretive maps were designed and installed at key locations.
5) Landscaping and other amenities were provided along the trail.

The Longfellow Legacy Trail links the creek's headwaters in Roxhill Park with the last segment of open water near the creek terminus at SW Yancy Street. It weaves back and forth through natural and developed areas, illustrating a wide cross-section of Seattle’s urban environment. The trail passes through a restored peat bog at Roxhill Park, joins with commercial activity at the Westwood Village shopping center, and then provides a glimpse of sports as it passes the Southwest Athletic Field Complex near Sealth High School and the Southwest Community Center. The trail parallels and occasionally crosses the flowing waters of Longfellow Creek south of SW Thistle Street. It winds through several Park green spaces that preserve wetland, forest and streamside vegetation. The Longfellow green spaces are linked by a variety of residential neighborhoods. Residents inspired to environmental stewardship have labored for thousands of hours to restore the native plants and habitat within the watershed and along the trail. Look for ongoing planting and invasive weed removal. Sharp eyed naturalists will be able to spot signs of recent beaver activity and many choice birding locations.

You can find meadows and picnic areas at Greg Davis Park and a variety of recreation options at the Delridge Community Center. Public artwork can be enjoyed at several locations including the Dragonfly pavilion and Fishbone bridge at Yancy Street and the Seattle Police SW precinct building on Delridge Way. More examples of community building by volunteers include a neighborhood P-Patch and sensory garden at SW Thistle St., and collaborative artwork benches and gateposts installed at several locations. City efforts to control storm water within the creek system are illustrated by major storm water detention pond at SW Webster Street.

For more information on the trail, guided walks and volunteer opportunities check the Longfellow Creek Community website, noted below.

Concept Plan for Trail and Signs
(jpg 620k)

Points Along Longfellow Creek Trail
Points Along Longfellow
Creek Trail (jpg 304k)

Trail Sign Photos
(jpg 289k)

View large Map

(PDF 2.3M)

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COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION

The Longfellow Creek Legacy Trail Steering Committee is a volunteer group dedicated to creating a trail through the Longfellow Creek corridor from Yancy Street to Roxhill Park. The group's vision for this trail is to serve the Westwood and Delridge neighborhoods with opportunities for recreation, environmental education, transportation alternatives and a place that creates community pride. The committee obtained grant funding from City of Seattle Department of Neighborhoods in 2001 to develop the Longfellow Creek Legacy Trail Concept Plan and begin plan implementation. Learn more about the concept plan and recent volunteer efforts by visiting the Longfellow Creek Community Website listed below.

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