Community members working to create a natural playscape for children in the Admiral neighborhood have selected a landscape architect to help design the space at California Place Park.

The area being developed is a small triangle of land on California Avenue Southwest and Southwest Hill Street. Supporters of the project say that all elements used will be natural, such as logs or native plants, and that no trees would be removed. The park would also not include any plastic play structures.

An "architect selection committee," which includes four Admiral residents, selected Karen Kiest after interviewing three candidates in December.

Ann Limbaugh, one of the project organizers, explained that while each firm that made a presentation to the board was well qualified, Kiest had experience working on projects which had united opposing views in the community.

"We feel really good about having her on board," said Limbaugh.

Kiest said that she has worked on many projects with similar qualities that turned out to be very successful in their neighborhoods. She mentioned Steven's Place, another triangular park she worked on in Beacon Hill that is roughly the same size as California Place. Also like the West Seattle Park, Steven's Place is located on busy streets and has a Metro bus stop near the site.

Despite some of these challenges, Karen said the Beacon Hill park has become a gathering place for local children.

The proposed playscape in Admiral has been met with opposition from community members who argue it is a poor use of city funds and an inappropriate location for a park.

Limbaugh believes that Kiest will help bring the community together to design a park that the neighborhood is happy with.

"I have never started a project with this much excitement," said Kiest. "There's no guaranteed approach but (we will) try to understand and respond to different kinds of concerns. We're less about the physical plans at this time and more about getting to some point of agreement together.

Still Kiest did present the hiring committee with some design ideas, and explained that the community's interest in nature and culture will influence the design.

Rose Egge may be reached at 932-0300 or rosee@robinsonnews.com.