Parks

Wallingford swings!

Next time you're at the Wallingford Playfield or Meridian Park, you'll notice a a bright cheery, yellow addition to the swings.  The Fremont Rotary Club has donated one ADA accessible swing for each park that are designed for kids with special needs.  The donation is part of the Fremont Rotary's "Yellow Swing Campaign" of which a total of four swings were donated to local playgrounds. The Fremont Rotary aligned themselves with the "Seattle Children's Playgarden" organization which serves to provide children…

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Come Wassail Away

Used to be, when I thought of wassailing, I'd picture Christmas carolers in full Victorian-era costume, going door-to-door to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.  But in reality, as I've come to learn, wassailing is a centuries-old English tradition, with one form that's deeply-rooted in apple trees. Apple Wassailing dates back to the 16th century, though some may believe the tradition began as a Pagan ritual. This type of wassailing is to pay homage to apple trees…

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Tennis anyone?

Two years ago, when the tennis courts at nearby Woodland Park were resurfaced, I was green with envy.  Seeing those bright blue rectangular boxes outlined in brilliant white made me wish our tennis courts at the Wallingford Playfield would get an upgrade, too. Well, if you’ve recently been to the Wallingford Playfield, you’ll know my wish came true.  Our two little courts have been repainted.  And they look mah-velous! But wait!  Before you get too excited in thinking that our courts…

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Hula hoops and devil sticks

During one of my daily walks this week, I spotted this flier next to the east entrance of the Wallingford Playfield.  Not only was I drawn to the elaborate detail on the flier, but I was intrigued by the items listed as missing:  hula hoops, frisbees, and devil sticks.  I figured, someone took a lot of time to create such a flier, and so these items must have sentimental value for that person. When I got home, I called the number…

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Wading pool, library affected by proposed city budget

Mayor Mike McGinn released his proposed city budget for 2011 – 2012 on Monday, addressing the $67 million dollar shortfall in the City’s General Fund for 2011.  The proposed budget calls for the Wallingford wading pool to operate on a three day per week schedule next summer, similar to this year’s schedule.  The closest wading pool to operate seven days per week will be Green Lake. The proposed budget also calls for reducing “on-site librarian reference service in order to achieve…

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Friends of McDonald School Need Volunteers

(Wallyhood welcomes a new writer, Shannon Scott) The new play structure has been delivered to McDonald School at 54th and Latona and is anxiously awaiting its installation.  The Friends of McDonald School are in need of volunteers to assist in the installation process during the weekend of Friday, September 24th-Monday, September 27th.  With the help of volunteers the new play structure will be complete and ready for inspection. This project has been funded by the City of Seattle Neighborhood Matching Fund,…

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Keep Your Babies Cool

As the temperature soared to 90 on Thursday, my kiddos and I took advantage of the Wallingford wading pool’s limited hours and sought refuge in the cool water. Friday’s supposed to be another swelter, and thankfully the wading pool will be open again from 12-7 p.m. Keep cool, Wallyhoodites! (Just a Reminder - The Wallingford Wading Pool is open only on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, from 12-7 p.m. They only open on days that are forecast to be warmer than 70°,…

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