New life for an old school
Shoreline’s Sunset Park and Boeing Creek Open Space
Over the last three years the community of Shoreline has grappled with loss and hope. In 2007, Sunset Elementary School was decommissioned. An important neighborhood gathering place for parents and children alike had suddenly closed it’s doors due to declining enrollment.
As contentious as this issue was, a group of hopeful neighbors organized a group called the Friends of Sunset Park to explore how the school site could be revived as an essential community gathering place. The Friends of Sunset Park partnered with the City and the School District and invited Pomegranate Center to facilitate this exploration.
After 6 steering group meetings, three community meetings and one design workshop the Shoreline community developed a compelling concept for a future Sunset School Park, which connects to nearby green spaces like Boeing Creek Open Space, offers spectacular views of the Sound and features p-patches and endless recreational opportunities. A survey shows that after attending community meetings hosted by Pomegranate Center in Shoreline:
- 65% feel more connected to their neighbors
- 83% have more confidence in their community’s ability to work together
- 94% have a better understanding of what it takes to make changes in their neighborhood
The momentum to realize their vision is great. Conceptual drawings have already been turned into technical ones and submitted to several grant funders. And community members are beginning to organize some early success projects… keep your eyes peeled for ways YOU can get involved in this project.
“This project brought the community closer as a whole and created a community park that we know we all contributed to and can enjoy.”
-Sadie Kent, Shoreline teen and Steering Group member
Check out photos of the process and the completed site plan…