Great Plans for the University Playground Park!

To realize the dream of making University Playground park a true “gem” for our community, RNA has hired a Landscape Architect to help finalize RNA’s concepts for University Playfield.  The University Playground Park Project utilized a $10,000 Neighborhood Matching Fund (NMF) Grant for this process. 

RNA’s goal is to create a comprehensive plan for the park that looks out 5-10 years and has the support and consensus of the community members. University Playground can be both a neighborhood and a regional resource that reflects the community’s identity and supports the need for open space in the University Community Urban Center. Great Plans for the University Playground Park!

To realize the dream of making University Playground park a true “gem” for our community, RNA has hired a Landscape Architect to help finalize RNA’s concepts for University Playfield.  The University Playground Park Project utilized a $10,000 Neighborhood Matching Fund (NMF) Grant for this process. 

RNA’s goal is to create a comprehensive plan for the park that looks out 5-10 years and has the support and consensus of the community members. University Playground can be both a neighborhood and a regional resource that reflects the community’s identity and supports the need for open space in the University Community Urban Center.

Daniel Winterbottom and Luanne Smith, Landscape Architects worked with the community through a planning group.  The RNA was host to three community meetings.  These public meetings gathered input from the community in order to evaluate solutions for existing and new amenities.  The plan will address evaluating potential park changes such as placement of the "Sasquatch" sculpture, potential for more art, renovation of the tennis courts, lighting, programming, safety issues and planting needs.  

Two concept park plans were presented and will frame future projectphases.  Both designs contained great ideas that will require further public process and design work.

Designing a new fence is one of our top priorities. It will be a “landmark” for the community.  Three fence concepts were brought to the community at these meetings as well as several other presentations to local groups in order for the community to select the most popular scheme.

The RNA has a proven track record for successful park projects, having completed a third NMF project that installed Seattle’s first Petanque Court in a city park.  The 2001Cumulative Reserve Fund project brought new pathways, plazas, benches, tables and other amenities that have helped increase the community’s use of the park. In 2003 RNA competed and won $76K in CRF funds for tennis court resurfacing. Since 1990, RNA has taken on stewardship of the park through the city’s Adopt-a-Park program.

Landmark Fence Artwork

University Playground Park Landmark Fence Time Capsule  - "Artifacts - Frozen in Time" (working title)

There are to be three distinct artworks on the Landmark Fence

The River Rock Pillars
Objects that have personal, historical or local significance are to be encased in resin like ancient bugs in amber. These include photos, stories, memorabilia, letters, maps, and dated bric-a-bracs. Collectors, gatherers and the curious will love to peruse the artifacts "frozen in time" in acrylic resin at this walk-by, street-side community museum set on the river rock pillars.

Metal Text across top beams of the Fence
Quotes, words, poems or stories that aptly describe the time and importance of place will be selected to be written on beams that bridge the river rock pillars.  Words might be something like: “We watched meteor showers”, “My dog won a blue ribbon at the neighborhood pet show”.  Or “Gathering”, “Friends”, “Peace”.  The text is still to be determined.

Metal Panels on Railings
The metal artwork panels will be phased in at a later time.  These might describe local flora and fauna, or other visual imagery sums up the importance of this park and community.

Artifacts, Stories and other Contributions were sought from the community for the Landmark Fence artworks.
Contributions were sought from residents and those working in the University Playground Park area and from people who have ties with the community during an 2002 Artist-in-Residence with Tracy Hager. The residency was to determine the direction and concepts for the Landmark Fence artworks.

University Playground Park Landmark Fence "artist-in-residency" outreach included:
University Farmers Market , University Branch Library, University Playground park , "Artifacts Roadshow " (to display gathered artifacts, stories, sayings, poetry and photographs for community review), and community meetings.  Tracy was invited to visit many of the area’s daycares, schools and senior centers.  The University Branch Library hosts an on-going display of the Landmark Fence design and information.

YOUR PARTICIPATION IS WELCOME!
If you would like to help with committee work, volunteer your time, donate goods or funds, or provided services, please contact landmarkfence@attbi.net
The community is the foundation this new artwork fence is built on.

University Playground Park Landmark Fence Artworks - "Artifacts - Frozen in Time" (working title) 

During the Fall of 2002, Tracy Hager, the artist-in-residence for the Landmark Fence, invited the public to bring artifacts about the University Playground Park and the University neighborhood to the University Farmers Market and the University Branch Library on Saturdays throughout September and November. Artifacts, Stories and other Contributions sought for Landmark Fence. Tracy searched for artifacts, objects, photographs, stories and good ideas that ranged from the very personal to the broad; "relics", sayings and stories from the past, present or even (is this possible?) the future! Several meetings were held and outreach made into the community to be all inclusive. Tracy experienced some great times working with area school and daycare children!

Images and words that evoke memories and eras of this particular community are to be "frozen in time" in see-in-to “stones” made of resin and will make a personal connection to everyone who has made special ties to this community by going to school, working and living here. They will create a legacy as a walk-by community museum for future generations of the University District community

RNA’s goal is to create a comprehensive plan for the park that looks out 5-10 years and has the support and consensus of the community members. University Playground can be both a neighborhood and a regional resource that reflects the community’s identity and supports the need for open space in the University Community Urban Center.

The Artist-in-Residence was funded through a King County Special Projects grant.

Tracy Hager:  Artist-in-Residence

The Roosevelt Neighbors' Alliance hired Tracy Hager, a "Washington State Artist," through the King County Special Program Grant given through the office of King County Council Chair Cynthia Sullivan. Tracy Hager will identified the “how-to” and the "what" for the Landmark Fence artworks. Tracy’s residency resulted in a plan of action and a "design proposal" for the artworks built through a community process of one-on-one meetings, outreach to local daycares, schools and other institutions and public meetings.

The Park Committee became aware of Tracy through her involvement in several local artist-in-residency projects. Her current work includes a residency at Bagley Elementary School and Green Lake Elementary where she has worked with the school communities to create and install artworks made by the children. In Seattle, she has also taught art classes (i.e. University and elsewhere) and created several proposals for local public artworks that were short-listed but due to the recent economic downturn have not yet been done.

Tracy has extensive training and experience in working with a community in projects similar to the Landmark Fence and has created and installed public artwork from community process in England. Her background and forte is working with communities on discovery and research to develop public art concepts. Tracy’s aim in her residencies is to be respectful of the process and allow the community to inspire the artistic development and final product.

Artifacts artworks will be created when funding is in place and the RNA signs a contract with the City of Seattle for the Department of Neighborhoods Large Project Matching Fund grant.