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City of Seattle
Gregory J. Nickels, Mayor
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NEWS ADVISORY
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| SUBJECT: Seattle Parks and Recreation joins Community to dedicate Improvements at Cowen Park
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
10/15/2004 10:40:00 AM |
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Joelle Ligon (206) 233-7929
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Seattle Parks and Recreation joins Community
to dedicate Improvements at Cowen Park
Seattle Parks and Recreation will join members of
the community to dedicate recent improvements at Cowen Park. The dedication and
ribbon cutting ceremony will take place on Saturday, Oct. 16, at 1:30 p.m. at
the Shelterhouse, 5849 15th Ave. NE.
Parks will celebrate the completion of renovations at the
Cowen Park Shelterhouse and daylighting a portion of Ravenna Creek within Cowen
Park -- Pro Parks Levy funded projects -- and the near-completion of a volunteer
playground restoration project, funded with a grant from Starbuck’s and
implemented by community volunteers. Light snacks will be provided.
The shelterhouse, originally constructed in 1909, was once a
stop over for trolley riders and park visitors, but fell into disrepair in the
latter part of the last century. With the passage of the 2000 Pro Parks Levy,
$618,000 was made available to renovate the structure. Renovation elements
included creating an activity room of approximately 500 square feet, office
space, storage, and public toilets - all on the lower level. On the upper level
the existing toilets were demolished and a viewing terrace constructed.
Also within the park, a portion of Ravenna Creek was
daylighted – funded with $237,000 in Pro Parks Levy money. Various
construction projects in Seattle – beginning as early as 1911 with the
lowering of Green Lake by 8 feet and continuing through the construction of
Interstate-5 in the 1960s – have had an impact on the natural flow of the
creek. This project brought the creek to the surface and enhanced the vegetation
around this portion of the creek.
The community undertook a project to upgrade the play area.
The Friends of Cowen Park worked with the Roosevelt Square Starbuck’s to pull
ivy, install spring toys and digger toys, add fibar and gravel, and put paths
around the structures. This portion of the renovation represents Phase III
of a multi-part project to upgrade the play area. In the coming weeks, they will
add a paved area with benches. In addition to committing volunteers to the
project, Starbuck’s also provided The Friends with a $10,000 grant to complete
this work.
Approved by Seattle voters in 2000, the $198.2 million Pro
Parks Levy will fund more than 100 projects throughout the city over eight
years. Projects include improvements to athletic fields, playgrounds, trails and
community centers and parks. Funding will also increase green spaces, support
Zoo programs and enhance park maintenance.
For more information, contact Joelle Ligon at joelle.ligon@seattle.gov
or 233-7929.
The shelterhouse may be rented by contacting the Ravenna-Eckstein
Community Center at 684-7534.
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Parks
and Recreation
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