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| Potential Sites of Learning |  |
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Tukwila Elementary School is prominently situated at the top of Tukwila's highest point. The school property itself includes a steep linear wooded area located to the south of the playing fields that, at its highest point, overlooks the city. this area connects with a flatter wetland area that is off school property. The site has a network of informal trails, although they fell into disuse when construction of the new school building blocked access to the area. Ordinarily, the woods are easily entered via the playing fields. However, a street presence would facilitate community use. The site has a variety of natural features, including a drainage ditch and detention pond that can support marine life. Possible uses include a nature observation station, wildlife habitat, experimental classroom, and creative play space. |
 Overview of Tukwila School Site  School Site with Wooded Area to the South  Drainage Ditch at Edge of Wooded Area  Water Retention Pond |
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Thorndyke Elementary School is tightly packed onto a residential street. The school property includes a steep linear wooded area located to the south of the playing fields, where Gilliam Creek runs. The property has a formal path connecting the school site to a housing development further south. Informal trails can be found along the creek, although they fell into disuse when construction of the new school building blocked access to the area. Ordinarily the woods are easily accessed via the playing fields and also from other streets that intersect with Gilliam Creek. However, a street presence would facilitate community use. Possible uses include a nature observation station, wildlife habitat, experimental classroom, and creative play space. |
 Overview of Thorndyke School Site  Wooded Area to the South  Area for Proposed Eco-Lab  Gilliam Creek |
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Cascade View Elementary School is separated from the rest of the city by steep topography and a series of major vehicular routes, including Pacific Highway, Route 99, and Highway 599. Tukwila's largest and most culturally diverse elementary school, it is relatively isolated from the other sites of learning and from important community resources. The site includes a V-shaped courtyard opening up to the west and bounded on all sides by a one-story building, along with playing fields on an upper tier of the property. The court yard is gated and can be used only when the school building is operational. When the building was being renovated a few years ago, the intended design for the court yard was not carried out due to lack of funds. Possible uses include an exhibition or performance area, experimental classroom, or weather station. |
 Overview of Cascade View School Site  Overview of Courtyard  Front of Building  Entrance to Courtyard |
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This site is located between 40th Avenue South and Macadam Road. Although the city once began developing it (a fake building foundation was constructed), the property is no longer maintained and has become over-grown. Entry to the park is quite difficult as it is located on a sharp curve along a road that is without sidewalks. However, the park has a pleasant view of the valley floor; it is close to Cascade View Elementary School, where (except for the cemetery) there is a distinct lack of open space; it is already used without formal sanction; and a large housing development is being built directly to the north--all good reasons for exploring how the site might be safely occupied. Possible uses include a wildlife habitat and nature trails that might become part of a pedestrian-causeway network. |
 Entrance to Park |
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This site is located in South Center Mall, where a pond developed in a low-lying area as a result of runoff from the mall's massive amount of impervious roofs and parking lots. The pond attracts an array of wildlife, including an enormous bald eagle. It is bordered on one side by a small, formal park that is at odds with the naturalness of the pond. The park has a convenience station with exhibits of the area's history, a short path, benches and tables, bathrooms, and two lookouts with interpretive signs. The view in the park is of "big boxes," the sound is of traffic. Not only is the park uninviting, it is difficult to find (one entry has a sign that says "do not enter"). As an existing wildlife habitat and observation area, access could be greatly improved, as could the integration of people and nature, and the screening of the area from the surrounding blight. |
 Pond with Park in Foreground |
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This is a small truncated hill that played a central part in the creation myth of the Duwamish people, served as a health treatment center for POWs during W.W.II, since the 1980s has been a site for significant paleontological finds by UW researchers. On a clear day, the hilltop provides a striking view of Tukwila with the river meandering below and Mount Ranier rising in the distance. Despite its rich history and delightful prospect, few of the children participating in this project are aware of Poverty Hill. And industrial development at the base of the hill is encroaching on the site. Possible uses include outdoor display, nature trails, picnic areas, observation areas, and a wildlife habitat. |
 Poverty Hill Overlooking Duwamish |
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This is a paved regional trail along the Duwamish River. It has a range of amenities, including exercise areas, play areas, places to sit, and a convenience area. The trail accommodates biking, jogging, roller skating, boating, and picnicking, among other active and passive recreational activities. Possible improvements might include overlooks, a foot bridge, dock, gazebo, water sculpture, and observation tower. |
 Overpass over Christiansen Trail |
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The Hazelnut Library, which is just about one-quarter mile from Tukwila Elementary School, has an outdoor area that might be developed as a storytelling circle. This area connects to Trail #1, a very steep wooded area that contains large bird feeders and wild flowers. The park and trail might be elements along an ecological link between the school and the river. Although apartment buildings adjoin the trail, it has the feeling of being completely in nature. |
 Outdoor Space at Hazelnut Library |
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This wooden footbridge, which spans the Duwamish River just south of Poverty Hill, is in deteriorated condition. Since it carries a five-inch water main, it is likely that the bridge will be rebuilt in the near future. The bridge connects two neighborhoods that are otherwise cut off, so it could become part of a pedestrian network that connects the bike path along the Duwamish with a pedestrian network on the other side of the river. Physical traces indicate that people fish underneath the bridge, and some children participating in this project claim that they use the bridge for diving. The bridge could be a historic landmark. |
 Footbridge Connecting Two Neighborhoods |
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A remnant of the city's agricultural heritage, this working farm on a bend of the Duwamish River has just been given over to city use. An engineering plan has been developed showing a salmon spawning area and other ecological uses, including a pea patch. The site might increase awareness of city's history and ecology, promote character building through participation in reclamation activities, and allow for gardening and observation of plant life. |
 Codiga Farm on the Duwamish River |
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The site borders a steep road, without sidewalks, leading from Tukwila Elementary School to Showalter Middle School. It has a wetlands, creek, small grassy area, and wooded hillside. Facing the street are recycling bins. Possible uses include a winter arboretum, creative garden, and experimental classroom.
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The school property includes an unused flat area and a steep wooded area located to the east of the playing fields. The woods, which continue beyond the school property, are easily accessed via the playing fields, but a street presence would facilitate community use. An unenhanced "front yard" might also be transformed to be more esthetically appealing, while announcing the outdoor activities. Possible uses include an observation tower, creative play space, or a fantasy space. |
 Playing Fields and Wooded Area at Showalter |
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A new community facility was recently built on a flat site bordering the Duwamish River. Although it is in an out-of-the-way location, it is well-used by children, who are dropped off there to participate in activities and then taken to school via a school bus. It is a delightful facility with abundant parking and playing fields. Possible uses include a butterfly or humming bird garden, amphitheater, or water sculpture. The bike path, which connects south to the farm and north to the foot bridge and Poverty Hill might be developed as a "treasure hunt" for cultural or ecological artifacts. |
 Overview of Community Center |
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In general, many bus stops in Tukwila are simply signs along the road, devoid of shelter, and this is true of the ones serving the schools. Both Tukwila and Cascade View Elementary Schools are served by just one bus, with no service being provided on weekends. While the former school is served by a slow-traffic street with a side walk, the latter is served by a moderate-traffic street with no sidewalk. It is quite disconcerting to imagine children waiting at these bus stops. At a minimum, basic pedestrian amenities should be provided (sidewalks, shelter, emergency phone). Given that children are major users of public transportation, bus shelters might designed and built by children working with artists, or they might display children's art work. |
 Bus Stop Serving Cascade View School |
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Why This Project Is Important | A Case Study in Community Building | Programmatic Requirements | Design Proposals | Next Steps of Community Building | Site Map |
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Return to Programmatic Requirements