|
Community celebrates Rainier Vista Park opening |
|
|
|
SEATTLE—August 15, 2006—Laughter from kids
playing in the new Rainier Vista Park was a welcome sound at the
park’s dedication and picnic on July 20. More than 175 Seattle
Housing Authority residents, park supporters and volunteers who
helped build the park came to the event. |
|
|
|
“What a pleasure it is to see this park full of
life,” said Tom Tierney, Seattle Housing Authority executive
director. “This park will be a treasure over time to
help sustain and nurture the community that is being built at
Rainier Vista.”
Financing to complete the park was not available
in the Rainier Vista redevelopment budget. In response, more than
200 volunteers and businesses from the community contributed their
time and expertise to make the park a usable and open space for
residents to enjoy. |
|
 |
|
|
Latisha and Latosha Evans with Mark Okazaki
explain why they volunteered their time to help build Rainier Vista
Park |
 |
|
|
|
“Nothing of this scale ever happens through the
efforts of one individual or organization,” said Mark Okazaki,
Neighborhood House executive director. “It really is about a group,
like the Rainier Vista community and the (park) sponsors.”
Volunteers from CityYear, Young Heroes,
Neighborhood House, SvR Design and Seattle Housing Authority helped
build the park.
|
|
The new basketball court at Rainier Vista Park
is enjoyed by kids of all ages. |
|
|
On various weekends throughout May and June the
volunteers spread more than 70 cubic yards of topsoil, 10 cubic
yards of bark, and planted more than 300 plants and trees. |
|
|
|
|
“Volunteering at the park was more fun than staying at home or
watching TV,” said Latosha Evans, a Rainier Vista resident and
Young Hero who helped build the park. “Volunteering helps us learn
more, get out of the house, help people and stay out of trouble.”
“Helping build the park was a lot of fun,” added Latisha Evans, who
suggested the name Rainer Vista Park when the community was asked to
submit ideas. |
|
 |
|
|
CityYear volunteers play a game of
tetherball in the new park. |
|
CityYear Corps members, Javier Casio, Jessica
Silye and Rianna Berkowitz, who helped build the park, were
impressed with how well the park now looks. The last time they saw
it they were still planting trees and laying sod. |
|
|
|
 |
“It’s great to see all of the kids using the
park,” said Silye. “I want to come and play in the park too.”
Materials for the park and the volunteer work
parties were generously donated by Fusionpartners, Impact Property
Services, Plantscapes, Lowes Hardware, Tullys, Krispy Kreme, QFC,
P-Patch Foundation, Stewart Lumber, Starbucks and Seattle Parks and
Recreation. |
|
A big toy and swing set are two of the favorite
parts of the new park for many kids in the community. |
|
|
Safeco and Starbucks awarded $27,500 to purchase
playground equipment and materials for the park.
The park development was managed by Sibyl Glasby
from the Seattle Housing Authority and Brenna Casey, an AmeriCorps
volunteer with Neighborhood House.
|
|
|
|
|
“Their hard work and dedication helped make the
completion of Rainier Vista Park a reality,” said Okazaki.
The park is a central meeting place for the neighbors, their
families and the extended community. Kids of all ages have been
using it since a part of it was opened in early June.
“Seeing the kids enjoy the park is the greatest
joy,” said Akbar Meah, Rainier Vista resident. |
|
 |
|
Local artists helped build community art pieces like these mosaic
stepping stones for the new park
|
|
Photos courtesy of Fusionpartners.
|
|
|
