Madison Park Community Organizations

[madisonpk]

Friends of Madison Park's Website http://friendsofmadisonpark.org/

AUGUST 2007

Project Description

Friends of Madison Park is a grassroots organization made up of residents of Madison Park, Washington Park, Denny Blaine, Broadmoor, Capitol Hill and Madrona.

Our goal is to create a lovely area for our children to play, our seniors to relax, and our neighbors to enjoy, while being sensitive to the needs of the community. Additionally, we would like to make the park accessible to wheelchairs and strollers and other forms of assisted mobility by adding ADA compatible access points. Finally, we would like to construct improved seating for community gatherings.

Based on community input over the past year, we have set forth the following project goals:

* Create spaces to serve the varied needs of the community in this public park
* Create ADA-accessible, smooth-surface paths for walkers, wheelchairs and strollers
* Create shade and seating area for gathering, playing, eating
* Improve visibility and safety including views into and out of playfield
* Improve drainage on lawn areas
* Improve play experience for Tots and 3-12 age groups
* Maintain open green space for community events and enjoyment
* Preserve unique park elements such as healthy large trees, tennis courts, swings and granite sculptures.



The landscape architecture firm Site Workshop was hired to lead us through the design process. Community input provided through the public meetings has shaped the final design solution. To view the plan for the park, please visit our website at: www.friendsofmadisonpark.org.

The design for the park was paid for with a Neighborhood Matching Fund (NMF) award from the City of Seattle Department of Neighborhood. We are currently applying to another NMF award to help pay for part of the construction costs.

WHO WE SERVE?

While it is a tall order to integrate and balance the many needs and desires of different groups and activities with the practical application of renovating space, we believe that our approach results in a plan which serves the varied constituency while maintaining the unique character of Madison Park. Special attention is given to a holistic, long-term vision of the role of Madison Park in our community.

We think of park users in two ways:

Demographics: seniors, differently-abled persons, tots, 2- 12 age group, teens, young professionals, parents, families, individuals, couples.

Motivation for use: community interaction, social gatherings, quiet contemplation, passive activity, to enjoy nature, enjoy views, get exercise, enjoy a coffee or meal, play, learn.

We have something for all these groups and uses in our plan and current design.


WHO ARE WE?

Friends of Madison Park was created in April 2005 in response to community desire for a safer, more accessible, more beautiful Madison Park. We are a grassroots organization, a group of volunteers, working closely with Seattle Parks and Recreation Department to develop, secure funding for and implement a plan to improve the park at Madison Park. We are committed through a democratic, transparent and inclusive process to hearing and addressing the varied needs of the many groups who will be using this Seattle public park. We take this duty and responsibility seriously.

Steering Committee:

* Diana Ackerley (Chair)

* Emily Conn (Grant Writing)
* Nan Robertson (Fundraising)
* Matt Bridge (Finance)
* Anne Nielsen (Outreach)
* Madison Park Community Council (MPCC) members:

o Mike Culwell (Construction)
o Danielle Ackerley (Outreach)
o Jana Sleight (Outreach)
o Alice Lanczos (MPCC President until June 2006)

Design Committee:

* Janet Frink
* Meg Diaz
* Mike Culwell
* Kyle Clark
* Marci VonBeck
* Diana Ackerley

Seattle Parks and Recreation Project Manager:
Pamela Kliment
pamela.kliment@seattle.gov
206-684-7556






Status of Fundraising

Friends of Madison Park has been approved by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Contributions to Friends of Madison Park are deductible under section 170 of the Code. Friends of Madison Park is also qualified to receive tax deductible bequests, devises, transfer or gifts under section 2055, 2106, or 2522 of the Code. The IRS considers Friends of Madison Park to be a “public charity.” Our tax ID number is 20-4048266.

Fundraising to date:

* Applied for and received $15,000 Seattle Neighborhood Small and Simple Grant
* Applied and was recommended for $100,000 Seattle Neighborhood Matching Grant
* Before strong private fundraising efforts have begun, $90,000 raised in small contributions at Bank of America
* Over 200 T-shirts and hats sold to date
* More to come!!

Our dream will take quite a bit of work, heart, and money. The good news is—we’re on our way!

We need to raise $700,000-$800,000 for construction funding by year’s end. We hope to break ground in January 2007!

Please consider making a donation to this worthy and rewarding effort. All it takes is your check made payable to “Friends of Madison Park,” your entire donation goes directly to our park project! For a receipt, please include your return address when mailing your check to:

The design for the park was paid for with a Neighborhood Matching Fund (NMF) award from the City of Seattle Department of Neighborhood. We are currently applying to another NMF award to help pay for part of the construction costs.


Community Outreach and Involvement

Friends of Madison Park has a broad base of community support for the project goals and current design. Over the past year we have heard from hundreds of community members through the following ways:

Public presentations and group briefings:

* Hosted five public meetings with Site Workshop and Seattle Parks and Recreation. Refined successive concepts based on feedback from each public meeting
o January 12, 2006
o February 13, 2006
o March 16, 2006
o May 15, 2006
o June 5, 2006
* Briefed Madison Park Community Council, Madison Park Business Association and other community organizations
* Updated area schools: Nanny’s PreSchool, Nanny's Annex, Bush, Frani’s PreSchool, Valley School, Kim Day, McGilvra Elementary, Harvard Avenue School, Epiphany, and Madison Park Co-Op
* Presentations Feb 21 and in June to Park Shore residents, especially those unable to attend the public meetings
* Four Steering Committee members on Madison Park Community Council


Community mailings and postings:

* Two separate bright yellow 8x10 mailers sent to 1500 of the park’s most adjacent neighbors in March and June
* 100 large “Friends of Madison Park” posters in Madison Park and MadisonValley store windows encouraging community involvement
* Over 2000 homemade flyers distributed thru local preschools and Co-op and in grocery bags at local store including Berts, Lola’s Hardware Store, The Children's Shop, Spa Del Lago, Madison Park Bakery, at the park and on the streets in Jan. to March.
* Madison House Realty donated sign posted in park -- over 200 flyers distributed on one week in Jan. to June
* New large sign posted in Park with current design plan in June
* Over 100 copies of final design concept hand distributed to area business in June
* Website: www.friendsofmadisonpark.org
* Email: friendsofmadisonpark@yahoo.com
* Letters sent to: Friends of Madison Park, 4003 East Newton Street, Seattle, WA 98112


Surveys and Press:

* 4th graders at McGilvra Elementary surveyed entire elementary school
* Project goal surveys distributed to everyone at the first public meeting and made available on the website
* A near-full-page article appeared in The Madison Park Times February issue
* Great “word of mouth” support

Friends of Madison Park with Mayor Nichols