Seattle-based Starbucks Coffee Co. announced it is donating $550,000 for a flurry of construction in June to make more use of White Center Heights Park.

The park is about 5.5 acres largely hidden on Seventh Avenue Southwest, south of 102nd Street. Its northern section is an open grassy playfield with a few scattered benches. Green's Pond, site of White Center's first sawmill, is at the southern end. The park is edged with trees and shrubs.

The improvements will be done "Extreme Makeover"-style: in one week of furious work by volunteers.

Possible changes could include a playground, basketball half court, picnic shelter, tables and a paved walking loop.

Blackberry vines would be removed and some new trees and shrubs planted. Wetland restoration could be involved too.

There are a growing number of ethnic festivals in White Center and the park could be the setting for them. Currently, streets have to be blocked to provide space for such events.

The $550,000 grant from the Starbucks Neighborhood Parks Program is the largest donation ever to King County Parks.

White Center Heights Park was selected partly because it is well-situated, with White Center Heights Elementary School, the Southwest Boys and Girls Club, and the growing Greenbridge housing development all nearby.

Starbucks has donated money and volunteers to 22 other park projects in King County, including the ongoing refurbishment of Alki's replica of the Statue of Liberty.

The public is invited to two meetings to suggest ideas for what to build in the park. The first meeting is set for 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 6 and the other is at 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 15. Both meetings will be held at White Center Heights Elementary School at 10015 Sixth Ave. S.W.