Landmark Fence Foundation Stones Now Available

A new Seattle landmark will soon appear: a “Landmark Fence.” Led by Roosevelt Neighbors’ Alliance (RNA), a Foundation Stones fundraiser is aimed at building the new fence around University Playground Park. Known to children as “Gorilla Park” for its distinctive and playful Sasquatch sculpture by Richard Beyer, the park is treasured as a rare open green space in the densely populated University District. Where there is now a ragged, chain-link fence, park neighbors plan a new fence in wrought iron and river rock. Incorporated into the fence will be acrylic resin “stones” holding neighborhood mementos, metal art, and “Foundation Stones” engraved with messages and drawings from donors. Construction is slated to begin in the spring of 2004.

“A good park is vital to an urban community like ours; it means having a place to play, sit and relax and to enjoy a good quality of life,” said Mary Hausladen, project co-chair. “A park that people love means a healthier neighborhood — and a safer neighborhood, as more people begin to use it daily. The artworks planned for the fence will create a greater sense of identity for our community, increase interest in the park and carve out a place in history.” Friends of the park will be able to leave a legacy of their very own in the form of engraved river rocks to be part of the fence itself; personalized “messages to tomorrow” on engraved “Foundation Stones.” Names, poems and even simple line drawings by children, grandchildren or other favorite people will be accepted. A low-income option is available upon request.

The fundraiser is aimed at raising approximately $20,000 from local sources including businesses and residents will go toward construction and the making of the Artifact art pieces. Fundraising is now the primary focus and will continue through this summer. RNA volunteers are placing brochures at local residences and local gathering spots. With funds in place to build the Landmark Fence, the park committee hopes to go out to bid for a contractor in the fall of 2003 to build in early 2004.

The Seattle Department of Neighborhoods (DON) has awarded the project $105,000 from it’s Large Project Matching Fund program for the river-rock, artwork fence budgeted at $240,000. Vigorous community involvement as already secured significant match to the DON grant, as required from the community, of $55,000 in city and county grants, cash donations, pledges, in-kind donations and volunteer hours. RNA looks forward to being eligible for many more grants once it is granted 501(c)(3) tax exemption currently being processed by the IRS.

Community volunteers on the RNA park committee, lead by co-chairs Mary Hausladen and Nancy Bocek, have shepherded the project through the design process with Landscape Architect Daniel Winterbottom, completed a Landmark Fence Artist-in-Residence with Tracy Hager and have done extensive community outreach. The community participated in designing the fence with Winterbottom Design and graysmith landscape architects.

“We’ve seen significant improvements sponsored by the RNA at the park since 1990,” said Bocek, “Better play equipment, more plantings, more tables and benches and a walkway around the park that many of our senior citizens use daily for their exercise. The community-lead project to bring the Landmark Fence and Artifacts artworks will be a lasting legacy for the neighborhood, one that we can be very proud to have achieved through our volunteer effort.”

University Playground opened to the public in 1911 as Seattle’s first fenced playground. It was a popular place at first; elderly residents remember kids from all over the neighborhood playing Capture the Flag there on summer evenings. The intervening years have not been kind to the park, however. Urbanization, development and a changing and mobile population have combined to sever the park's link to its community. Replacing the cyclone fence, RNA spokespersons feel, presents an opportunity reestablish this link, to create an artwork that rebuilds the community’s identity by resonating with history and the individual.