Myrtle Reservoir makeover: No skate park among concerns voiced

Landscape architect Jim Yamaguchi of Nakano Associates unveiled his final plan of the controversial two-acre-plus Myrtle Reservoir Park layout at the third of four public meetings hosted by Seattle Parks and Recreation. Project manager Virginia Hassinger hosted the meeting Thursday night at the High Point Community Center. They highlighted features included in the scheme, the pathways, the playground equipment, and the possibility of art on the side of a fence.

Hassinger announced that the skateboard park, a viable option discussed at the prior meeting and included in one of the architectural renderings, was taken off the table. The anti-skateboard faction was mostly silent as they got their wish. Those wanting the skateboard park became vociferous in expressing their dismay, including Matthew Lee Johnston, 37, who advocates area skateboard parks via his Web site seattleskateparks.org. He argued that Parks and Recreation were dismissive without offering a reason for the elimination of the skateboard park option. Hassinger and Kevin Stoops, parks planning manager insisted their million dollar-plus Pro Parks Levy budget for Myrtle Park had not allocated funds for the skateboard feature. Johnston insisted other options for funding were not taken seriously.

Some area residents then spoke up to say they feared that with skateboarders comes teen hooliganism and crime. But others stuck up for area teens suggesting that there are already enough parks for tots and adults, and nowhere for young teens to go, and a skateboard park would keep teens out of trouble, not get them into it.

About 10 young teens and pre-teens showed up, some with skateboards under their arms, and seemed heart-broken that they'd have no legitimate spot to skateboard, and let Hassinger and the rest of the audience know their sentiments. They said they resented being prejudged as criminals and simply wanted a legal place to skateboard.

Controversy arose with the realization by some of the 60 or so who attended that the plan was indeed final, and felt their voices from the previous meeting went unheard. Bill and Sandy Price live just west of the proposed park, and appeared shocked when they learned the current link fence that separates their property from the park will be removed. "That will encourage crime in our home and dust in our yard," Sandy said. "We put up with the noise and vibration of all the construction. It's time for you to give us something."

Hassinger announced that the skateboard park, a viable option discussed at the prior meeting and included in one of the architectural renderings, was taken off the table. The anti-skateboard faction was mostly silent as they got their wish. Those wanting the skateboard park became vociferous in expressing their dismay, including Matthew Lee Johnston, 37, who advocates area skateboard parks via his Web site seattleskateparks.org. He argued that Parks and Recreation were dismissive without offering a reason for the elimination of the skateboard park option. Hassinger and Kevin Stoops, parks planning manager insisted their million dollar-plus Pro Parks Levy budget for Myrtle Park had not allocated funds for the skateboard feature. Johnston insisted other options for funding were not taken seriously.

Some area residents then spoke up to say they feared that with skateboarders comes teen hooliganism and crime. But others stuck up for area teens suggesting that there are already enough parks for tots and adults, and nowhere for young teens to go, and a skateboard park would keep teens out of trouble, not get them into it.

About 10 young teens and pre-teens showed up, some with skateboards under their arms, and seemed heart-broken that they'd have no legitimate spot to skateboard, and let Hassinger and the rest of the audience know their sentiments. They said they resented being prejudged as criminals and simply wanted a legal place to skateboard.

Some audience members wanted to see a public restroom facility. Hassinger said it was not in the budget, but that concerts and other celebrations at Myrtle might justify bringing in Sani-Kans.

Others worried that since heavily trafficked roads will surround the park, pedestrians will be vulnerable. Hassinger responded that traffic issues be directed to Seattle Department of Transportation.