Comment on the proposed site plan through July 8!

The play equipment selection and site plan concept for First Hill Park Playground are now available for community review and comment! Read through this post, which provides more information about how the design was developed and equipment was selected, or check out this summary slide.

After reviewing the site plan concept, share your comments on the proposed design and equipment here:

Comment on the site plan concept

Comments will be accepted through July 8, 2024, and feedback will be used to finalize the site plan and play equipment this summer.

Click the graphic for a PDF of the site plan concept.

CLIMB & SLIDE! - Details for the Multi-Level Tower Selection

• The refined site plan includes the three-story tower option (pictured) to maintain the park's history as an exciting sliding and climbing environment.
• Two slides are attached to the tower. One is a wiggle slide, and both are open-top slides, which align with preferences voiced in the survey.
• Inside the tower, kids will find different opportunities for climbing, crawling, and other exploring. Images of play inside the tower are provided below.

Views from inside the three-story tower proposed for the play area.

CONNECT! - Nature-Themed and Younger Play Opportunities

• Written survey comments asked for more features for younger children. A crawl tunnel, platform steppers, and themed play seats have been added to link the proposed tower and swing structures, giving play opportunities for more ages.
• Comments also highlighted the park's relationship to nature. Nature-themed components were selected to maintain that feeling within the play area.

Themed elements maintain the connection to nature in the park and provide play opportunities for younger ages.

SWING! - Protecting Trees and Diversifying Play Options

• The existing swing space has been repurposed to site the three-story tower in the proposed design. Locating the tower here helps protect the play area's many trees!
• A new saucer swing (example pictured) is proposed for the north end of the play area to maintain swinging at the park and diversify play options on Mercer Island.
• While the First Hill playground equipment survey did not ask for specific input on swinging types, the survey for Roanoke Park showed great support for installing a saucer swing at one of Mercer Island's playgrounds. The design team proposes implementing this play option at First Hill Park.

Now that you know more about how the design was developed, provide feedback on the site plan concept here.