Supporters for the Junction Plaza Park, located on the northwest corner of 42nd Avenue Southwest and Southwest Alaska Street, are working under a tight deadline to raise the funds necessary to complete the park. Without significant funds and volunteer hours from the local community, the park could lose $100,000 dedicated to the project by the 2005 Pro Parks Levy at the end of this year.

Members of the local community have been working to develop this park since 2005 when the property was purchased by the Seattle Parks Department. The project has been designed as both a destination and a pass-through park. It would be used for casual daily activities and community festivals.

A conceptual design has been created for the Junction Plaza Park, and after one more community design review meeting the project could be ready for development. However, before any work begins the total cost of construction, $350,000, must be secured.

In 2006, $200,000 was awarded to the Junction Plaza Park by a Pro Parks Levy passed the previous year. $100,000 of that money has been used towards community meetings, design work and basic work to the property including irrigation and lawn installation. But to use the remaining $100,000 towards construction costs supporters must be able to guarantee that they have the funds necessary to complete the project.

If supporters cannot raise the remaining $250,000 in construction costs by the end of 2009 they will lose the Pro Parks Levy funds.

But Friends of Junction Plaza Park, a group of this project’s supporter lead by the West Seattle Junction Association, has a plan to do just that. The project already has $60,000 in donations, and hopes to acquire the remaining $190,000 by applying for a grant through the Neighborhood Matching Fund.

By pledging $100,000 in monetary donations, in-kind donations and volunteer hours the local community’s efforts could be matched, likely providing enough funds to receive levy dollars and fully fund the park’s construction.

“We’ve had community members involved for a long time. Now is the time to re-galvanize this effort,” says Susan Melrose of the West Seattle Junction Association.

Applications for the Neighborhood Matching funds are due in April, so supporters will be out in full force for the next five weeks asking residents to pledge their time or make a monetary donation towards the park. Friends of the Junction Plaza Park will have a booth up at the Farmers Market each Sunday.

Volunteer opportunities include serving on the Friends of Junction Plaza Park support team, a pledge to ask ten friends for $10 each, current park maintenance and eventually assisting in park construction.

“As with any project that benefits the community, the community at large needs to be involved,” says Melrose.

Previously, the park’s construction costs were estimated at $600,000, but when community support dwindled in response to such a large price tag, supporters worked with the Seattle Parks Department and altered the design to drastically reduce costs. The park will now include more green space and less hardscape surface.

Monetary donations to the park are tax deductible, as can be verified by the Seattle Parks Foundation. To donate visit supporter’s booth at the West Seattle Farmers Market or online at the Seattle Parks Foundation Website. Checks should be made out to the Seattle Parks Foundation.

For more information or to pledge volunteer hours contact Susan Melrose at (206) 935-0904.