White Center Now: The blog about White Center

(The Steve Cox Park piano – photo courtesy Pianos in the Parks)
If you weren’t already planning to spend part of your summer at county parks – a public/private-partnership plan announced today involving King County and Seattle public parks is meant to give you a reason to visit. It’s called Pianos in the Parks, and it’s placed 20 donated and decorated pianos in 20 King County and Seattle parks, for the next month. The parks, listed here, include Steve Cox Memorial Park here in White Center. Since it’s a sizable park, we asked a Pianos in the Parks spokesperson where to find it. She replied, “The Steve Cox piano is roughly in the middle of the park by the picnic huts and the playground.” (Above, that’s the Steve Cox Memorial Park piano, decorated by artist Camille Coonrod, before it was placed in the park.) Yes, the pianos are playable; you can even record yourself playing one and enter a contest. The pianos also are being auctioned off; you can bid on any or all of them online by clicking any individual park photo here to see its piano.

Just one last reminder – 2-5 pm today, with a program at 3:30 pm, you can help celebrate the 75th anniversary of King County Parks with a party at the historic fieldhouse at Steve Cox Memorial Park – here’s our original report on the announcement.

The White Center Jubilee Days carnival starts Wednesday at Steve Cox Memorial Park, and by midday today, the Davis Shows Northwest trucks were there, with some of the festive, brightly colored ride components in view.

The carnival opens at 3 pm Wednesday (July 17) – lots of info here. And Wednesday night brings the Jubilee Days fireworks show at dusk, also at Steve Cox Park.

Youth-sports signup season continues with an event today for Southwest Little League, whose area stretches southward from SW Juneau in West Seattle to 128th, and westward from 1st Avenue S. From 11 am to 1 pm in the Log Cabin at Steve Cox Memorial Park in White Center (15th/102nd), they’ll sign up prospective players in person – so if you live within the aforementioned area, bring your child’s birth certificate, three proofs of residency, and the registration fee. Check out the residency requirements, fee details and more on the SWLL website.

In this afternoon’s bright late-summer sunshine, a small group of dignitaries and community members gathered to celebrate the renovated Steve Cox Memorial Park tennis courts. (Added: Video of the entire event)

The work’s been finished for a while, but there was no point in hurrying the party, which had been three years in the making. The project depended in large part on a federal Community Development Block Grant, and while that was obtained in 2010, county parks boss Kevin Brown explained, federal stimulus-related projects took precedence, so this didn’t get done for a while. But this afternoon, as he presided over a ceremonial ribbon-cutting, that was all a distant memory:

Among other attributes, the courts are unique as a lighted public place to play tennis in White Center.

Just in from King County Parks via Facebook, that photo and this invitation for you:

Tennis, anyone? Please join King County Parks for a special ribbon cutting ceremony to rededicate the improved tennis courts at Steve Cox Memorial Park. Tomorrow @ 2:30 pm.

It’s been almost exactly a year since the work began (September 2011 story here), and much of the work was done by May (story here).

The final phase of the renovation work at Steve Cox Memorial Park‘s tennis courts in White Center is almost finished – the colorful new surface is in place, the sealant was applied Friday, and now it needs time to cure, so that’s why the nets are down.

King County Parks spokesperson Doug Williams tells WCN that they’ll be down for a few more days in hopes that’ll keep court use to a minimum. The curing is weather-dependent, so, Williams says, the nets won’t be put back up till this weekend or maybe even early next week. The project, estimated last year at $153,000, was paid for with the help of a federal grant. (P.S. Thanks to Gill for the story tip!)

WCN contributor Deanie Schwarz sent that photo with news that the tennis courts at Steve Cox Memorial Park are dug up, as work starts on a renovation project. She checked with Darlene Sellers from King County Parks, who tells WCN it’s a two-phase project:

Phase I of the project began on Monday, September 12th and is expected to run 45 days, until around October 31st. At that time the courts will be temporarily lined, and should be playable again in early November. Phase II is scheduled to begin in May and should last for about three weeks.

The money is from a $100,000 Community Development Block Grant (process explained here) obtained in 2009.

Early this evening, we strolled through the White Center Jubilee Days carnival, to see the sights – classic rides as always, like the Tilt-A-Whirl, above, and the Zipper:

The poster lists tonight’s end time as simply “closing.” So before, during, after the fireworks (500 shells at dusk!), look for the bright lights, loud music, and classic fair/festival/carnival food at Steve Cox Memorial Park.

The ceremony presented by the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council this afternoon at Steve Cox Memorial Park was relatively short – but emotional, with tears flowing for some toward the start, as the murdered deputy’s son Bronson Cox led the Pledge of Allegiance, standing next to his mom Maria Cox. Our video shows the ceremony in its entirety; it was followed by refreshments indoors. Steve Cox was president of NHUAC when he was killed in the line of duty four and a half years ago. The memorial’s artist, Jay Haavik, was also among today’s speakers.

Dignitaries and community leaders including the sponsoring organization North Highline Unincorporated Area Council are gathered at Deputy Steve Cox Memorial Park in White Center right now for the long-awaited dedication of the sculpture tribute to the popular law enforcer. Video from the ceremony later; the rain has lifted just in time!

Two huge events this weekend – starting with White Center Spring Clean tomorrow (Saturday). More than 600 people are signed up to volunteer 8:30 am-2:30 pm at sites all over WC. And the official T-shirt is on display at the White Center Community Development Association website.

Then on Sunday, it’s the memorial dedication at Deputy Steve Cox Memorial Park. This invite is from the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council:

The North Highline Unincorporated Area Council (NHUAC) cordially invites you to the dedication ceremony for the Steve Cox Memorial at 3 PM on Sunday May 15th. The dedication will be at Steve Cox Memorial Park, 1321 SW 102nd St in White Center.

Deputy Steve Cox was killed in the line of duty on December 2, 2006. At the time of his death he was the White Center Storefront deputy and served the community as the President of the NHUAC.

The NHUAC led the community effort to rename the park for Deputy Cox and the fundraising to install a memorial. Artist Jay Haavik was selected to design and build a stone memorial to Deputy Cox.

May 15th is also National Peace Officers Memorial Day. In 1962, President Kennedy proclaimed May 15th as National Peace Officers Memorial Day.

For Further information contact Ron Johnson, rjohnson@northhighlineuac.org, phone (206) 767-3053.

It’s been in the works a long time … and now a date is set for the dedication of the Deputy Steve Cox Memorial at his namesake park in White Center, according to the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council website:

The memorial for Deputy Steve Cox, killed in the line of duty on December 2, 2006, will be held on May 15 … at 3 PM. The memorial is located in Steve Cox Memorial Park, 1321 SW 102nd St. May 15th is also National Peace Officers Memorial Day as designated by President Kennedy in 1962

This is sure to be among the topics when the council meets this Thursday, 7 pm, at the North Highline Fire District HQ. Also remember NHUAC’s Election Night – a two-hour period for you to stop by and vote – is at the same location, on May 19th. Also from the NHUAC site:

The NHUAC elections will be held on Thursday, May 19 at the North Highline Fire Station, SW 112 Street, White Center. Voting will be from 6PM to 8PM.

The candidates are:

District 3: Liz Giba
District 4: Ron Johnson
At Large: Doug Harrell
At Large: Patrick Mosley
At Large: Aileen Sison

Each position is a two year term with requirements to attend one meeting per month.

Just posted in the forums for our partner site West Seattle Blog – a new Ultimate Frisbee pickup game, Wednesdays at 6 pm, Steve Cox Memorial Park. Check out the notice (and RSVP info) here.

White Center’s Steve Cox Memorial Park will look brighter and more colorful if you drop by this week- that’s thanks to the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council members who spent time planting flowers there on Saturday morning: Christine Waldman, Stephen Porter, Barbara Dobkin, and Rebecca Lopez were joined by White Center residents Gill and Alex Loring, reports Barbara, who shared the photos and the report – thank you!

(North Highline Unincorporated Area Council officers from left, Vice President Christine Waldman, Treasurer Ron Johnson, Secretary Jessica Stoneback, and President Greg Duff)

By Kathy Mulady
Reporting for White Center Now

The art installation at Steve Cox Memorial Park has hit another snag – dirty dirt.

Contaminated soil near the entrance of the ball field could be stirred up by digging needed to install the artwork and may have to be removed before the project can continue, the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council learned Thursday night.

More than $18,000 has been raised for the art that is the last piece needed to finish the tribute to the fallen King County Sheriff’s deputy.

Meantime, the new slate of councilmembers looked a lot like the old group. In the recent election, none of the council incumbents had a challenger, and all were easily re-elected by the 25 voters who participated — compared to 900 people who voted in the council’s first election.

Re-elected were Ray Helms, Heidi Johnson, Ron Johnson, Doug Harrell and Greg Duff.

Outgoing President Russ Pritchard complimented the council on its work ethic. “This is the most workaholic council I have ever been president of. You have accomplished more than any other council I have seen.”

Duff was elected council president, and Christine Waldman was elected vice president. Jessica Stoneback was re-elected secretary and Ron Johnson was re-elected treasurer.

Duff said he is excited to serve as president “in a year when we hope part of our area will go to Burien. It is very significant.” The annexation vote is set for August 18.

Burien City Manager Mike Martin told the council that they are meeting with various community groups to “make our intentions clear” and push forward with the annexation. Martin said they have been meeting with various community groups, which each have unique questions about what the annexation will mean.

A recent meeting with the Latino Leadership Community raised questions about business licensing and police presence, for example, he said.

Martin also gave an update on the King County Sheriff’s deputy assigned to Burien who was seriously injured in an accident while responding to a burglary call. He will be home soon, but will still need a great deal of recovery time.

The council also considered several new proposals, activities and invitations.

Ray Prentice asked for support in his effort to apply for funds to update the cinder running track at Evergreen High School to an all-weather rubberized surface. The Evergreen track is used by students, but also by members of the community to socialize, walk, jog and play.

Prentice also led the earlier effort that modernized the track at Mt. Rainier High School. The council voted to support the effort at Evergreen, but were also cautious that no funding that could possibly be used to keep the community swimming pool open would be jeopardized by the track request.

Council members also took a tough vote, following some discussion, deciding not to participate in the Burien Fourth of July parade. Some first considered the possibility if a convertible car was available.

“I have a pickup; you can ride in the back,” said Councilmember Doug Harrell.

Ultimately, because several council members are going to be out of town, that the group would be unable to participate. Brochures providing information about the council will be set out at the Emerald City Smoothie booth.

North Highline Unincorporated Area Council members will turn out for White Center Jubilee Days and the Burien Strawberry Festival on June 20 and 21.

The NHUAC usually meets the first Thursday of each month, 7 pm, North Highline Fire District HQ.

6 pm, Steve Cox Park, help shape the new playground that’s in the works. 7 pm, North Highline Fire District HQ, attend the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council’s meeting to find out about the latest work on hot community issues (including Evergreen Pool, as reported here earlier).

The first of several stories we’ll be publishing from Thursday night’s White Center Community Safety Coalition meeting: You’re invited to a meeting next Thursday to talk about the new playground that’s on its way to Steve Cox Memorial Park. King County replaces play equipment every decade or so, it was explained, and this one’s due – plus, besides being safer, the new equipment apparently will have less tag-attracting surfaces. The meeting’s at 6 pm Thursday 6/4 in the community center rec room at the park. (Right before the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council meeting just a few miles away, it was also noted; the art project for Cox Park is expected to come up at the NHUAC meeting.)

They’ve been planning it for months, and tonight’s the big night: The North Highline Unincorporated Area Council‘s fundraising dinner for the art project at Steve Cox Memorial Park. When we last checked in with NHUAC’s Heidi Johnson, just a few tickets are left, so we are hopeful the dinner will be a smash hit, and the project will be on its way to completion.

The monthly meeting of the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council — the community council that represents White Center (and vicinity) — is coming up this Thursday, 7 pm, North Highline Fire District HQ (map). The agenda’ s online now, too (see it here); it promises more information on a potential parking change mentioned at last month’s meeting (White Center Now coverage here) — spaces to be removed along the south side of Roxbury. Also to be discussed, the upcoming fundraiser for art at Steve Cox Memorial Park.