Courtesy of Site Workshop
Plans for a new park on Ninth Avenue Northwest include a P-Patch and an arch swing but no standard swings.

Trade P-Patch for swings in 9th Ave. Park

02/04/2010

Ed. Note: This is a copy of a letter sent to Kellee Jones of Seattle Parks and Recreation.

I read the Feb. 5 Ballard News-Tribune article regarding the Jan. 28 Ninth Avenue Park meeting, in which a man at the meeting is quoted as saying nearby Whittier Elementary playground has nothing but swings and childrens' playground equipment.

That statement is absolutely untrue. Whittier has no swings, zero swings, and most of the area is open, paved surface, with one corner being playground equipment, and a few basketball hoops, a few maypoles and a dragon/snake sculpture across play area for climbing.

There are no public swings near the Ninth Avenue Park location, and there is a shortage of playground equipment in this area as well as a shortage of green space with lawns, flowers, shrubs and trees – a park for people to play and enjoy.

Ballard homes can provide their own garden spaces, no matter how small the yards.

Please trade P-Patch gardens for swing sets and playground equipment, keeping open spaces of lawn and scattered trees and shrubs for all ages to enjoy.

I am grateful for the Ninth Avenue Park being created.

We need swings for all ages in the Ninth Avenue Park. We do not need privatized garden plots for individual families in a P-Patch.

Thank you,

Bob Hammer
Ballard

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Comments

P-Patch

Submitted by Susan Larsen (not verified) on Fri, 02/05/2010 - 08:01.

I can see the need for a p-patch if this were somewhere like Belltown or Eastlake, but it isn't. I think that the space would be better used as green space with playground equipment and swings.

P-Patches are good for the neighborhood

Submitted by Guest (not verified) on Thu, 02/11/2010 - 12:51.

The City of Seattle’s Department of Neighborhood’s P-Patch community gardening program and is open to all Seattle residents. There are currently 74 gardens, the program partners with the P-Patch Truss, Seattle Housing Authority and other community groups and to support, develop and manage community gardening in Seattle.

Gardeners are the volunteers that carry out the tasks and activities in the P-Patches necessary to create an open space resource for all members of the community. P-Patches are like arboretums where visitors can share interests and knowledge with gardeners, gather ideas or simply enjoy a restorative theraputice walk. P-Patch’s also provide wildlife habitat, foster environmental awareness. In 2009, over 27,000 pounds of organic produce harvested in P-Patch’s fed Seattle’s hungry. Gardeners and visitors are often present throughout the day and help to provide security to all open spaces where they are located.

Every year there is an average 22% turnover of plots, ensuring that new community members have an opportunity to become community gardeners. Gardeners pay yearly plot fees for the privilege of maintaining the gardening arboretum and harvesting the fruits of their labors. Every gardener self-identifies their ability to pay, plot fee assistance is available and paid for by community donation.

In closing I would like to quote a P-Patch gardener of 36 years: “Originally it was all about growing and consuming fresh vegetables. It gradually evolved into a… myriad of friendships and camaraderie that… continues to exist. ...I remember so many .., families and how each was either a friend or otherwise. …, grieving for those who died or missing for a while… those with whom I lost touch as …they moved on. Now as my physical limitations have drastically cut down on hours at garden, the affection shown to me and which I reciprocate has become doubly cherished.”

Ray Schutte
President
P-Patch Trust
Building Gardens and Growing Communities.