Seattle Parks and Recreation recently issued a citywide invitation to the Fremont Peak Park dedication and delebration on Nov. 10, from noon to 3 p.m. Dedication of this park, at 4351 Palatine Ave. N., marks the end of 6 1/2 years of hard work by scores of community volunteers.
One volunteer, Jack Tomkinson, prefers to see this as the beginning of the park and its relationship to the community at large.
GETTING OFF THE GROUND
In January 2001, Tomkinson heard of the 24,640-square-foot property - three home lots - for sale. The site commands an impressive panoramic view to the west that starts north at Crown Hill and passes all the way south to Downtown, including Mount Rainier and the entirety of the Olympic Mountain range.
Owner Tony Murphy wanted to sell his former residence and two rental houses for park land, so the neighbors came together to form the Friends of Peak Park (FOPP) to find money and support.
These volunteers spent 18 months "attending every public meeting we could find." Tomkinson carried what he likes to call "the million-dollar photo" to show people the view. FOPP steering committee members were, according to Tomkinson, "out there making sure everyone knew about the quality of the project."
When Murphy passed away, the priority to pay his estate for the property grew urgent. Donald Harris, the manager of property and acquisition services for the parks department, heartened Tomkinson, who recalled his attitude as "We can do this."
"That wasn't my first reaction," Harris recalled. The parks department had been looking to buy land in Fremont, Harris explained, but it takes time and money.
Still, when Tomkinson came to him, "I was blown away by the possibilities. What an amazing opportunity it was to have three lots" for sale at the same time.
"Some of the land we've purchased has sat fallow," Harris admitted. "Twenty, 30 and sometimes 40 projects" compete for funds at a time, and an equitable division of money means some only get enough for acquisition.
In this case, Harris recalled, "the community availed themselves" of every funding source available, including the Seattle Pro Parks Levy, King County Conservation Futures Tax, Neighborhood Matching Funds and private donations. "These people just moved right ahead."
Harris remains impressed by "the energy and commitment on the part of the people of Fremont to see this through."
A COMMUNITY PROJECT
The FOPP steering committee did turn down one funding source. Tomkinson said "the strings were way too big" on 1% for Art funds.
According to him, public art funded by 1% funds can't be changed, modified or moved. Steering-committee members want future users to enjoy the park and add amenities and art to keep the park functional, without the burden of restrictions.
The Steering Committee wanted art, and through multiple public meetings, the landscape architect firm of GGLL (with artist Laura Haddad) designed a welcoming environment using many artistic details. At the park's entrance is a piece that describes the phases of the moon, while throughout the space runs a silver "thread" that relates the myth of the Minotaur.
Still, the community contributed the most to the design and the planting of the park. "We've had citizens that took six years out of their lives to give to this project," Tomkinson estimated.
Today, the FOPP steering committee is Tomkinson, Aaron Caplan, Brian Fabella, Paul Gustie, Brian Ivaldi, Ginny Ratliff, Marcia Reed, Jill Steinberg and Wendy Whitfield. This list is not complete, however, as over time many people came and went from the committee, helping as they had energy and time.
The Friends of Peak Park also consists of volunteers and donors who contributed in less formal ways.
"Anybody who has said they want to help out," Tomkinson considers an FOPP member and thereby responsible for the park's existence.
MAKING AN IMPACT
Certainly, Tomkinson earned some credit. A mechanical engineer with experience in product design, he currently is "squeezing in the odd engineering job" amidst his efforts to get the park completed: "I gave my all to this project."
Tomkinson said that his father's early death during Tomkinson's teens led him to focus on the here and now. "The book of your life lies between covers," he said, "and one day your book closes and your impact is done."
He wants to make an impact and help others do the same. With another FOPP steering committee member, he started the nonprofit Urban Sparks.
"We want to teach others what we know," he explained.
Dozens of people have advised him on building Peak Park, sharing their information and assistance, and he wants others to benefit from that wealth of knowledge.
Urban Sparks provides a clearinghouse for advice, but also acts as a 501(c)3 non-profit fiscal agent for community projects such as the Troll traffic mitigation, the J.P. Patches Statue and the West Seattle Statue of Liberty. (For more information on Urban Sparks, check out www.urbansparks.org.)
As to the Peak Park dedication and ribbon-cutting, "that's the big hurrah!" Tomkinson enthused. "That's when the public can start using it. I'm looking forward to having the public involved."
Harris spoke from experience when he said, "Some of these hidden gems remain hidden gems."
Tomkinson, however, is optimistic: "Now it's time for the whole community to fall in love."
Kirby Lindsay works, lives and recreates in Fremont. She welcomes your comments at fremont@oz.net.[[In-content Ad]]
