Partnership transforms underused Skyway Park into vibrant community gathering place

On April 1, the first day of spring quarter classes at the University of Washington, 18 students met with King County Parks and Recreation officials at Skyway Park and discussed an ambitious project to restore the neglected space.

Just 72 days later, the Skyway Park community’s vision of a new picnic shelter, plaza and restored wetland is complete.

Gone are the thick, impenetrable tangles of invasive blackberries, which have been replaced with more than 500 plants and shrubs, plus more than a dozen trees. Nearly smothered out of existence, a small wetland in the 23-acre park has been restored, with a long boardwalk providing safe access to this unique feature.

A new plaza, a picnic shelter with a “green” roof that will absorb rainfall and control runoff in the park, plus new benches have all been built – all under the direction of the Skyway community, and all through the sweat and effort of community volunteers and students from the UW’s Department of Landscape Architecture.

“It's a beautiful addition to the park,” said Rob Detzner, a Skyway Park neighbor and member of Friends of Skyway Park. “I've talked to several people who have had very positive comments about these changes.”

“Strong partnerships are an important part of our approach to managing the public’s resources,” added King County Parks Director Kevin Brown. “By forging this working relationship with the community, non-profits and the University of Washington, we can provide to the community amazing new amenities that are also of tremendous value to the people of King County.”

The rebirth of King County’s 23-acre Skyway Park builds upon a partnership forged in the White Center Heights Park several years ago. This evolving partnership between University of Washington's Department of Landscape Architecture and the King County Parks and Recreation Division redefines how public agencies can work together to transform unused spaces into meaningful, sustainable and critical community places.

UW students worked in inclement weather, battling invasive blackberries and boot-sucking mud, to transform Skyway Park. Their commitment to the job was not lost upon UW professor Daniel Winterbottom.

“These past weeks have inspired, strengthen, and given us a new drive to continue the pursuit of socially sound and multi-culturally aware designs that enliven and bring color to a community,” Winterbottom said.

In addition to the University of Washington, a number of other groups worked alongside King County Parks and contributed to Skyway Park’s rebirth, including the Restoration Ecology Network, the Pomegranate Center and the Skyway Boys and Girls Club.

The planning process for Skyway Park is made possible through a Neighbor to Neighbor grant awarded to the Greater Skyway Business Association and collaborative funding from five different King County agencies: Parks and Recreation, Office of Management and Budget, Public Health, Sheriff's Office, and Community Services Division.

About King County Parks
King County Parks - Your Big Backyard - offers more than 25,000 acres of parks and natural lands, including such regional treasures as Marymoor Park and Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park, 175 miles of regional trails, plus pools and a world-class aquatic center. By cultivating strong relationships with non-profit, corporate and community partners, King County Parks enhances park amenities while reducing costs. Learn more at http://www.kingcounty.gov/parks/.

About the University of Washington's Department of Landscape Architecture Design/Build Program
The Department of Landscape Architecture Design/Build Program was developed in 1996 and has completed over twenty projects partnering with communities in and around Seattle, New York City, Japan, Mexico, Guatemala and this summer in Bosnia. The department works with communities of need, creating community amenities ranging from healing gardens for cancer and AIDS patients to community and pocket parks. Every year we a local project is completed through the BLA capstone studio. The program’s goals are to create therapeutic, sustainable projects that enhance the quality of life and sustain the ecosystems and natural wonders. Learn more visit http://www.caup.washington.edu/larch/Programs/design_build/db_goals.php.

Related information

Skyway Park

King County Parks