We, the undersigned, recognize that the Wedgwood Community Council has been working to fill the “open space gap” that currently exists in the Wedgwood neighborhood, as identified by Seattle Parks Department in their 2011 Open Space Gap Report. We also recognize that the Seattle Parks Department is currently in the process of acquiring the Morningside Substation at 35th Ave NE and NE 86th Street for a new neighborhood park with no funding for design or development in sight. We also recognize that existing inaccessible and unused open space on the east side of Wedgwood and generally referred to as Inverness Ravine Park, which is owned by the Seattle Parks Department and Department of Transportation, was deeded to the City in 1972 “…for park and recreational purposes."   

As such, we request that the Seattle Parks Department specifically includes funding in any future capital levee, to be voted on in 2014, to include design and development funds of the future park at Morningside Substation and the Inverness Ravine Park Trail concept. The future park at Morningside Substation will be a future neighborhood park along the 35th Ave NE business district, providing place-making opportunities to revitalize the Wedgwood commercial core. The Inverness Ravine Park Trail concept, supported by both the NE District Council and Feet First, would create a pedestrian trail and much needed passive recreation opportunity in a natural setting. Together, these two park projects would 1) significantly improve the available park and open space accessible to the Wedgwood neighborhood, 2) improve mobility between the Wedgwood and Inverness neighborhoods, 3) provide the opportunity for access and restoration of the Inverness Ravine Park understory.