Concord Outdoor Renovation Project

Improving play for the South Park neighborhood
Project Background
Final Outdoor Plan
Project Status
Help Needed
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Concord Outdoor Play Renovation Project

Concord Elementary school is located in the diverse neighborhood of South Park, South Seattle.  Concord Elementary parents and staff initiated the Concord Outdoor renovation project in September 2008, to improve the outdoor play and learning facilities of the Concord Elementary grounds, to be enjoyed by local residents and school body.  

 

The purpose of this project is to convert an underutilized outdoor area and create within it a multi-purpose, multi-functioning space that provides enhanced outdoor recreation and education for use by the Concord Elementary School and its immediate neighborhood.

 

The current facility is sparse and in need of repair. Poor drainage prevents use for extended periods through the year, much of which is during the school’s academic year.

 

Upon completion, the new facilities hopefully will:

  • Improve the quality of outdoor education and recreational equipment
  • Support a greater variety of exercise and athletics
  • Create an outdoor amphitheater for use in teaching, learning and performance
  • Provide areas of indiginous planting for enhance learning opportunities
  • Build designated planting/gardening beds
  • Extend the perions during which the resource is available

GUIDING PRINCIPLES

  • Become a Focal Point of the community

  • Be a Welcome Destination for everyone in the community

  • Supplement other community amenities

  • Meet Educational needs

  • Be Fun, Challenging and Attractive

  • Pay attention to Maintenance limitations  

  • Incorporate student and community Art

  • Celebrate cultural and economic Diversity

  • Enhance the connection to Marra Farms

  • Include Environmental / green elements

  • Ensure Safety  

 

 Project Status

 

September 2009

We chose Johnson-Southerland as our Landscape Architect to build on our concept

design, review engineering specifics and start on our construction documents. 

August 2009

Evaluated and interviewed landscape architect firms

 

Received notice that Concord Elementary is a recipient of an HandsOn Schools Grant – which basically is Seattle Works organizing 3 work days over the span of the year with $25K to cover costs.  We are looking for ways to combine efforts with the Outdoor Renovation Project. 

 

Contract complete to spend Department of Neighborhoods Small & Simple grant of $14,145

July 2009

Posted ad for landscape architect submissions

Received notice that Concord Elementary is a recipient of the Department of Neighborhoods Large grant of $88,200

May - June 2009

Received notice that Concord Elementary is a recipient of the Department of Neighborhoods Small & Simple grant of $14,145

 

Received notice that Concord Elementary has been recommended to received a grant for the Large Projects fund in amount of $88,200.   

Feb – April  2006

Applied for Department of Neighborhood grants – Small & Simple and Large Projects Fund

 

Applied for King County Youth Sports Facility grant

Jan –May 2006

UW Landscape Architect Studio – developed 16 concept designs with input from students, faculty, parents and residents. 

 

Reviewed and received input from the school community and neighborhood community to influence the concept designs through various channels such as PTA meetings, design review meetings, and neighborhood association meetings.