Not only have Friends and Neighbors of North Admiral wanted to construct a natural playscape in California Place Park when it is proven that kids do not like these types of play areas. The natural playscape put in Holly Park during its redevelopment was replaced with a full-scale playground within 2 years. http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008309107_playground25m.html Within Seattle Parks & Recreation Dept. the phrases playscape, playground, play area, play structure and playfield are all used interchangeably. A Friends and Neighbors of North Admiral member was overheard at a meeting stating that the Parks Dept. had told them to use the verbiage Playscape or Beautification as these words did not incite public fear. Do we know what is happening with California Place Park? No. Can we believe Friends and Neighbors of North Admiral and the City Officials? No. That is why it is important to attend the public Design Workshops. Playground supporters have found it acceptable to harass project opponents by placing them on mailing lists for Commercial Playground Developers and Playground Equipment Manufacturers. Again, what is going to be proposed for California Place Park? After much discussion and poll taking it was decided that grass was the #1 desire for the redevelopment of the Lafayette School Playfield. Grass is what we have in California Place Park. Grass, Open Green Space, that Friends and Neighbors of North Admiral want to remove.

Jan Bailey and Dennis Ross

North Admiral