What are we aiming for?

It is hard to keep in mind just what we’re aiming for. This graphic lists out the playground design improvements we are striving to make. We are aiming for Build Phase One, but if we get extra, and can fund a little of Build Phase Two — well, that would be fabulous!

Fundraising event: DINE OUT FOR THE PLAYGROUND

Help us transform the tiny playground and endless asphalt by eating dinner out in West Seattle!

WHAT: Enjoy a delicious Mexican Buffet at Pecado Bueno, 4567 California Ave. SW, Seattle, Wa. 98116

WHEN: Jan. 28th, 5-8pm.

HOW IT WORKS: Buffet costs $15 adults / $10 kids (Kids 2 and under are free) – wrist bands sold at the door. Regular dining doesn’t qualify for our fundraiser, but is available.

Menu Details:
The buffet will indeed be a build your own taco bar!
Options include Corn or Flour Tortillas, Beef, Pork or Butternut Squash with all the fixings + the beans and rice are vegan.
Allergy info: Gluten-free options such as corn tortillas, for Celiacs, note that there are flour products in the kitchen and nearby. The only thing the owner could say for certain is that everything is nut free.

PS: There will be face painting! AND a raffle for a $100 Recycled Glass tile so you can put your name or a short quote on the playground.

Huge Thanks to James of Pecado Bueno for giving us this generous opportunity.

{PLEASE INVITE YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY}

Update: Grant Awarded, Playground Paint Party!

The Pathfinder Playground Revamp was awarded the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods Matching Fund large grant! Thanks to the City of Seattle’s Department of Neighborhoods for helping us really get the ball rolling with our new design.

August Paint Party:

August 21st the playground is getting a little facelift in preparation for our new design. With a Capital One $4,000 grant for the school, we are having a work party to do projects all over the school–and the playground is one of them. That means we can get started painting the braided stream and adding new features like a labyrinth and accurate US map.

Are you ready to help us on August 21st? We need 6-8 folks ready to help lead the volunteers for the day, help organize supplies the day before, and a few creatives to help us make stencils to add some critter prints to the playground. Interested? Email pathfinderplayground2014@gmail.com – Thank You!

Here’s a peek at the new design! The school district is still working on the feasibility of the fence changes, but we expect that to be part of phase one. If fundraising needs are met, and the bids come in as expected, the equipment and surfacing of the blue areas will also be Phase 1.

Final Stage of Playground Design: Give Your Input

The May 20th meeting was a good one. There was a smaller crowd, but there were many new faces and active participants. Seeing the three designs that Johnson Southerland created out of all the ideas from the April meeting was really exciting. We don’t get to choose the actual equipment yet. We are now choosing the design in which play equipment will sit.

To answer a question asked by many: Yes, the current playground equipment will stay. The additional play equipment area(s) have three emphases:  1) Challenging climbing and upper body, 2) Rocking and spinning, 3) Nature integration

Note that (re)painting the blacktop are things we can do outside of these designs — with enough parent support. Also, the rubberized surfaces v.s. the wood chips may turn out to be a financial issue. Rubber surfacing is more expensive. It comes down to fundraising (that post is coming…).

Take a look at the below landscape footprint design concepts (or click here to open the PDF 3-page version). At the bottom of the page you can vote on your top 6 elements.

1) Glacial Features

2) Forest Integration

Forest Integration detail: “School Floor Compass w/Concrete Benches and Tree Planters” (outside the cafeteria doors)

Forest Integration Detail: “Woodchip Play & Tree Planters w/Concrete Root Benches” (along the west fence)

3) Magnetic

Magnetic Detail, top view: “School View Compass and Whirligigs”

Magnetic Detail, side view: “School View Compass and Whirligigs”

“Gateway to the Wild.” Note that there are wood cut-outs and interpretive info about the greenspace attached to the fence. A gateway is created with greenery.

Each design had a lot more to it than the above, and we were asked to pick and choose our favorite elements among them. The parts of each that we love the most can be put into one Master Design Plan.

To get more feedback and include more people, we have set up this survey in which you can vote on the design elements. There are 18 element options. Please select your top 6 favorites. If you already voted at the meeting, please do not vote again.

Click here to vote: Design Survey.

All votes must be in by next Friday, the 30th. Kids can vote too. Please vote only once!

The next meeting is June 16th, 5:30-7pm!

Don’t Miss This Meeting!

On May 20th, Johnson Sutherland will present their concepts based on our feedback at the first meeting. Our input will shape the final design before it goes to the School District for final review. Everyone is welcome to attend, and snacks will be served.

When: May 20th, 5:30-7pm

Where: Pathfinder K8, Cafeteria

SAVE THE DATE: Design Reveal + Ice Cream Social!

DATE CHANGED: June 16th, 5:30-7pm

Meeting note: I have heard from many that cannot attend who want to provide input. We will be sharing the concept plans and a survey the day after the meeting, stay tuned!

First Meeting Notes

We are so grateful for the 45 adults and about a dozen kids that came out to the first design meeting!

We brainstormed ideas and themes that matter to our community. Once we had a big list of those, we voted with stickers to prioritize them. Johnson Sutherland Design Team will now create some designs based on our meeting ideas…

The next meeting will be on Tuesday, May 20th from 5:30-7:00. Come see playground designs! At this meeting, our design firm, Johnson & Southerland, will present their first draft of ideas for our newly designed playground. This is super important if you want to have a say in the final design.

There will be snacks: veggies, fruits, chips, cheese and hummus. Any questions? Email us pathfinderplayground2014@gmail.com