Status: Completed June 2010
A dedication of the improvements was held on June 12. The fields have been irrigated and seeded and will remain unscheduled until the grass is well established. Lighting, pathways and benches as well as a new picnic shelter with tables and chairs are complete. The new picnic shelter is open for reservations.
A series of trail improvements in the park is complete. Funded by Trail Corridor funding, trails received new crushed rock surfacing with new box steps up and down steep grades and wood planked bridges in low areas.
The 1% for the Arts public art piece, the "Dew Beads" by artist Kristin Tollefson was installed at Hamlin Park. Created in a variety of colors, the 20 inch spheres were lowered into place by a gentle forklift and a crew of four plus Ms Tollefson. The artist is quoted as saying, "The spheres in Hamlin Park are inspired by the park's natural features, the trees that ring the open space and the undulating terrain. The necklace of cascading concrete and glass beads appears to roll downhill, joining the wooded picnic area with the play area and marking the entrance to the park. The work doubles as playful seating; perches for human visitors to the park. Like beads of morning dew, they glisten and invite closer inspection."
Overview & History
Funded in part by the 2006 Shoreline voter approved Bond Issue, the Hamlin Park Improvements that were identified in the bond included making ADA and field improvements to Hamlin Park. Athletic field safety improvements will include improved field lighting, replacing backstops and creating spectator seating. Also included will be a new picnic shelter, playground equipment, trail restoration and erosion control measures.
Improvements include two new ball fields, a T-ball field and multi-use open space area with a grass field, irrigation, lighting; an ADA-approved pedestrian promenade; ¼ mile walking trail; new play areas; a new picnic shelter; new benches and picnic tables and removal of asphalt under mature trees.
Hamlin Park is located in the southeastern central portion of the City in the Ridgecrest neighborhood. The park has both recreational facilities and a wooded area with a trail system. There are several other public facilities in the area including Kellogg Middle School, Shorecrest High School, the Fircrest Complex, Shoreline School District warehouse and the Shoreline Parks and Public Works maintenance facility. The neighborhood surrounding the park consists primarily of single-family homes.
Hamlin Park is named for the owners of the property who may have donated at least a portion of the land to be used as a park. Hamlin Park is the oldest official park in the City of Shoreline and was likely acquired between 1939 and 1950.
Historical information provided by Vicki Stiles, Shoreline Historical Museum.
Reference Documents: