Welcome!
This page is intended to provide information regarding the active space at Green Lake Elementary. For more information, submit an idea, express a concern, or to get involved please send inquires via email to playgroundcommittee@greenlakedragons.org.
This page is intended to provide information regarding the active space at Green Lake Elementary. For more information, submit an idea, express a concern, or to get involved please send inquires via email to playgroundcommittee@greenlakedragons.org.
Playground Project
Background
The playground committee was formed in March of 2018 to facilitate the installation of "turf" in lieu of the blacktop that currently exists. This project was inspired by and made possible through generous funding donations from the Ahrens family via the Jack Ahrens Memorial Fund as well as the parents of Green Lake Elementary during the annual school auction. While the goal of "turf" was the initial catalyst the project has now blossomed into a broader set of guiding principles which has inspired many to re-imagine the playground at Green Lake Elementary.
The committee established guiding principles:
The team is also focused on addressing the ongoing need for appropriate play structures that are ADA accessible and to integrate areas for pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, medically fragile, behavioral, and students experiencing challenges associated with hearing, vision, speech, etc. Of the 23 SPS elementary schools in the north end, GLES is designated for enrollment of medically fragile students. Currently, these students cannot access much of the active space at our school for peer-to-peer play and other social and emotional growth opportunities. Our master plan includes an ADA compliant ramp from the school's main level down to the play ground plus soft surfaces underfoot for improved accessibility and inclusivity.
Cost
These improvements are extremely expensive. Much of the expense lies in the demolition and regrading of our existing blacktop. The slope of our playground is not currently ADA compliant. To ensure that we have progress and tangible improvements, we have created project phases.
Phase 1: Design (complete)
Phase 2: Hillside improvement and ADA compliant ramp (in progress)
Phase 3: Turf field, track, beautification
The playground committee was formed in March of 2018 to facilitate the installation of "turf" in lieu of the blacktop that currently exists. This project was inspired by and made possible through generous funding donations from the Ahrens family via the Jack Ahrens Memorial Fund as well as the parents of Green Lake Elementary during the annual school auction. While the goal of "turf" was the initial catalyst the project has now blossomed into a broader set of guiding principles which has inspired many to re-imagine the playground at Green Lake Elementary.
The committee established guiding principles:
- Develop a strategic master plan that provides an inclusive play experience mindful of our diverse students, families, and community;
- Retro-fit active space and develop unused space so that it encourages social and emotional self-development of our students through play; and
- Honor the memory of Jack Ahrens
The team is also focused on addressing the ongoing need for appropriate play structures that are ADA accessible and to integrate areas for pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, medically fragile, behavioral, and students experiencing challenges associated with hearing, vision, speech, etc. Of the 23 SPS elementary schools in the north end, GLES is designated for enrollment of medically fragile students. Currently, these students cannot access much of the active space at our school for peer-to-peer play and other social and emotional growth opportunities. Our master plan includes an ADA compliant ramp from the school's main level down to the play ground plus soft surfaces underfoot for improved accessibility and inclusivity.
Cost
These improvements are extremely expensive. Much of the expense lies in the demolition and regrading of our existing blacktop. The slope of our playground is not currently ADA compliant. To ensure that we have progress and tangible improvements, we have created project phases.
Phase 1: Design (complete)
Phase 2: Hillside improvement and ADA compliant ramp (in progress)
Phase 3: Turf field, track, beautification
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Updates
SPS BEX levy In the midst of our fundraising effort, SPS identified the GLES playground as 'out of code' and devoted BEX levy funds for updates. This necessitated modifications to our active space master plan. The revisions affect the areas surrounding the new play structure and include improvements to the hillside to create additional play space and construction of an ADA compliant ramp. Currently, our medically fragile students cannot access our playground without traveling two city blocks to the back of the school. Also, our design includes soft surfaces on the hillside and under the play structure to accommodate mobility and promote inclusivity. Phase 2: Hillside improvement and ADA compliant ramp While SPS develops the new play structure design, we continue to work with our design firm, SiteWorkshop, to improve the surrounding play space. Depending on the permit schedule, we hope to construct these improvements alongside SPS in the summer of 2020. We are awaiting final plans from SPS so that we can create the appropriate construction documents for our project. Fundraising for Phase 2: From the Jack Ahrens Memorial Fund, the GLES community, and other generous partners including our neighbors, the Hearthstone, we have raised $135,000 toward our goal of $350,000. We are applying for grants and reaching out to our community to help close the gap. |
Proposed Timeline
Phase 2: Hillside improvement and ADA compliant ramp Jan 21 - 24 GLES students participate in survey to determine the type of play equipment they'd like to see in the new playground Jan 27 - Feb 14 SPS reviews survey feedback and provides data to contracted design firm (Weisman Design Group) to develop a Request for Proposal. Feb 17 - Mar 13 RFPs issued to SPS vendors to develop playground designs Mar 16 - Mar 30 SPS reviews designs to ensure designs are in accordance with district standards, price, capacity, play value and SPS contract terms. April 2020 GLES students, staff, and families select their preferred option. This information will be used to finalize a playground equipment package. June/July 2020 Break ground on playground construction |
Documents:
| 2018_0108_gles_analysis_sheets_from_siteworkshop.pdf |
| gles_student_exercise_for_playground_project_120518.pdf |
| gles_playground_survey_results__1_pager.pdf |
| green_lake_elementary_community_meeting_flyer_for_120718.pdf |
| site_overview_for_green_lake_elementary_self_help_application_050418.pdf |
| siteworkshop_public_meeting_2_presentation_022619.pdf |
Archived Events
Wednesday, March 20th 2019
The 3rd and final public meeting was held at Green Lake Elementary to review the final design plans. Public feedback was gathered and will be used to formalize the final conceptual master plan.
Tuesday, March 12th 2019
Monthly committee was held where the group reviewed the feedback from the 2nd public meeting. Discussions also took place regarding fundraising requirements.
Tuesday, February 26th 2019
The 2nd public meeting was held at Green Lake Elementary to review the preliminary design plans. Public feedback was gathered and will be used to formalize the final conceptual master plan.
The 3rd and final public meeting was held at Green Lake Elementary to review the final design plans. Public feedback was gathered and will be used to formalize the final conceptual master plan.
Tuesday, March 12th 2019
Monthly committee was held where the group reviewed the feedback from the 2nd public meeting. Discussions also took place regarding fundraising requirements.
Tuesday, February 26th 2019
The 2nd public meeting was held at Green Lake Elementary to review the preliminary design plans. Public feedback was gathered and will be used to formalize the final conceptual master plan.
Community Partners & Sponsors:
Thank you to the parents, businesses, and everyone in the community who continue to support Green Lake Elementary through your financial and volunteer donations.
The on-going effort to improve the active space at Green Lake Elementary cannot be possible without community support both private and public. A grant from Seattle Department of Neighborhoods has made it possible to fund the current Playground Project that includes the development of a strategic master plan.
“This project is funded in part by a Neighborhood Matching Fund award from Seattle Department of Neighborhoods."
Thank you to the parents, businesses, and everyone in the community who continue to support Green Lake Elementary through your financial and volunteer donations.
The on-going effort to improve the active space at Green Lake Elementary cannot be possible without community support both private and public. A grant from Seattle Department of Neighborhoods has made it possible to fund the current Playground Project that includes the development of a strategic master plan.
“This project is funded in part by a Neighborhood Matching Fund award from Seattle Department of Neighborhoods."
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