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PROJECT UPDATES

The Eli’s Park Project first started with a little boy who inspired a big idea. But the project really began with a simple google search, something like, “seattle landscape architects who are also kind humans” and a cold call to the first firm that popped up: Site Workshop.


They submitted an application and were unanimously and enthusiastically chosen to lead the project. This line in their application stood out to the team, “If our work as designers is going to be responsive to the needs of the community, we need to invest in hearing from the broadest range of voices.” They have invested limitlessly, for the past five years, and as a result, are building both a beautiful community and a beautiful park.


Vinita Sindhu, Clayton Beaudoin and Patrick Pirtle are three of the wonderful landscape architects who’ve been leading the project from the beginning. They have put countless hours into the project. From meeting with small handfuls of people, to hosting large community events, to even helping brew the first ever Inclusion IPA with our friends at Ravenna Brewing.





The truly inclusive nature of the project is what really stands out to Vinita. “From the beginning, this project made a commitment to inclusion that far exceeds any other project I’ve worked on. That commitment to a park that is truly designed for all was what attracted me to this project and what has continued to inspire our team.”


Site Workshop has embraced and embodied this commitment to inclusion throughout the entire process. “They are absolute experts, yet they genuinely believe that people’s lived experiences are another form of expertise. Their unique and powerful leadership style centers listening, learning and loving,” says Paige Reischl, project volunteer.


Vinita, Clayton and Patrick have turned years of listening into an amazing plan for a park that honors and elevates the dreams and needs of thousands of community members who’ve come together to imagine a place that works for everyone.


When asked about his favorite feature Clayton said, “My favorite feature of the park is the treehouse, which cantilevers out over the ravine creating the feeling of being very high up, yet is easily accessible for absolutely everyone.”



Like the treehouse, each feature in the park will be accessible for all. Every feature is also thoughtfully designed to be used in a variety of ways, to include art, to hold messages of welcoming and to carry reminders that our differences are beautiful and should be celebrated.


We are so grateful to Vinita, Clayton and Patrick for pouring their time and talent into our project and community.


We’re getting together at the park one more time before we break ground this summer. Come meet the landscape architects behind, and really at the heart of, the future Pathways Park. They are the very best.



Updated: May 23, 2022

Drop in and join the Eli’s Park Project community for one last celebration before we break ground and begin renovations this summer.


We will be hanging out at the Burke Gilman Playground Park (future home of Pathways Park) on June 5th from 1:00 - 3:00. We will have lots of fun activities and people of all ages, abilities and identities are welcome.


Activities:


Storytime with June Vanderhoff


Eli’s grandma and author of, A Home for a Gnome, will be reading her book and signing and giving away 100 free copies.


Grow Your Own Microgreens


If you have a love for plants, come plant your very own microgreens with Laura Matter from the Garden Hotline. Laura and the Garden Hotline will provide a small cup, soil and seed for you to get started and take home and grow!



Ravine Poetry with Our Teen Advisors

Do you love to write and exercise your creativity? Our Teen Advisors will be located near the Rainbow Ravine to help you write some metaphors, odes and haikus to celebrate the natural beauty of the ravine.


Starbucks


Wedgwood Starbucks is generously donating beverages for the event! Store Manager, Marshall, shares our mission and values, come pay him a visit.



Lushootseed with Nancy Jo Bob


Come learn about Seattle’s first language, Southern Lushootseed (txʷəlšucid, dxʷləšúcid) with Nancy Jo Bob who has been working to revitalize the language for over 20 years. Scan the QR code to listen to the pronunciation of Pathways Park.

See the Plans and Stay Connected


Our landscape architects from Site Workshop will be hanging out ready to show you the final design! Come check out the plans and join the Friends of Pathways Park to get updates and be part of ensuring the new park remains a welcoming place for all.



Yard Games and Play


Get ready to gather with your community and play yard games! We will have lots of fun games. Teen volunteers from the Eckstein soccer team will be on hand to welcome everyone in to play.


Hope to see you all there!


Thank you to Outdoors For All for promoting our event. Outdoors For All is dedicated to teaching individuals with disabilities adaptive recreational activities.






Writer's pictureThe Eli's Park Project

In January of 2018, Seattle Parks and Recreation granted us permission to lead a community effort to renovate the Burke Gilman Playground Park. From there, we set out to raise $5 million to fulfill our dream of creating an accessible, nature-based park to celebrate our differences and bring people together. Ravenna Brewing hosted our first fundraising event, in February 2018, donating $1 from every pint of "Inclusion IPA". From there, we launched a huge fundraising campaign and in September 2019, we secured our first $1 million dollar gift.


In November 2018, we hired our wonderful landscape architecture team, Site Workshop to lead an inclusive design process. They spent the next three years listening to our community share their needs and dreams and designed a park that will be welcoming and accessible to all.


With the design finalized, we started the park naming process in February 2022. Our community came together and brainstormed, submitted, and voted for potential park names. In May 2022, the new name, “Pathways Park” was approved by our partners at Seattle Parks and Recreation. In May 2022, we also received our Construction Permit from the City of Seattle.


We plan to break ground in the summer of 2022! We are looking forward to seeing you all at the park.


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