Meridian Playground (Seattle)
Encyclopedia
Meridian Playground is in the Wallingford
neighborhood of Seattle, Washington, United States.
The site features a building called the Good Shepherd Center, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places
as the Home of the Good Shepherd and is a city of Seattle designated landmark. The center was built as a Catholic School for wayward girls and operated until 1973. The building is now run by Historic Seattle
, while the remainder of the site is run by Seattle Parks and Recreation
. The building includes space for the Meridian School, Seattle Tilth, community organizations, and low cost housing for artists and seniors. The old chapel in the center of the top two floors has been converted into a performance space.
The gardens and the apple orchard of the old school largely remain, although the pool has been filled in and the bath house has been converted into a picnic shelter. Amid the orchard are a playground
and two playfields, and to the south side is a P-Patch
operated by Seattle Tilth. Community involvement with the site is managed through the Wallingford Community Council.
The playground at the site was revamped in 1998 and then upgraded in 2007, both times with matching grants through the city. The sculptures at the back of the playground are based on children's book characters and the two sculptures at the entry are designed to recall past use of the Home of the Good Shepherd, with a nun in front of the GSC and a school girl picking an apple. There is also a niche sculpture of Jesus
as the Good Shepherd
over the front entrance to the Center. The play equipment includes a water run (now shut down), swings, and some spinning Kompan play structures for older children.
Wallingford, Seattle, Washington
Wallingford is a neighborhood in north central Seattle, Washington, named after John Noble Wallingford . The QFC supermarket at the corner of N 45th Street and Wallingford Avenue N may be regarded as the center of the neighborhood; its large WALLINGFORD neon sign is made in part from letters in the...
neighborhood of Seattle, Washington, United States.
The site features a building called the Good Shepherd Center, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
as the Home of the Good Shepherd and is a city of Seattle designated landmark. The center was built as a Catholic School for wayward girls and operated until 1973. The building is now run by Historic Seattle
Historic Seattle
Historic Seattle is a Seattle, Washington public development authority focused on preserving Seattle's architectural heritage. They issue a monthly online magazine, Preservation Seattle and are involved in advocacy and education....
, while the remainder of the site is run by Seattle Parks and Recreation
Seattle Parks and Recreation
Seattle Parks and Recreation is the department of government of the city of Seattle, Washington, responsible for maintaining the city's parks, open space, and community centers.The total area of the properties maintained by the department is over , which makes up approximately 11% of the total...
. The building includes space for the Meridian School, Seattle Tilth, community organizations, and low cost housing for artists and seniors. The old chapel in the center of the top two floors has been converted into a performance space.
The gardens and the apple orchard of the old school largely remain, although the pool has been filled in and the bath house has been converted into a picnic shelter. Amid the orchard are a playground
Playground
A playground or play area is a place with a specific design for children be able to play there. It may be indoors but is typically outdoors...
and two playfields, and to the south side is a P-Patch
P-Patch
A P-Patch is a parcel of property used for gardening allotments; the term is specific to Seattle, Washington. The "P" originally stood for "Picardo", after the family who owned Picardo Farm in Seattle's Wedgwood neighborhood, part of which became the original P-Patch. -List of P-Patches:#Jackson...
operated by Seattle Tilth. Community involvement with the site is managed through the Wallingford Community Council.
The playground at the site was revamped in 1998 and then upgraded in 2007, both times with matching grants through the city. The sculptures at the back of the playground are based on children's book characters and the two sculptures at the entry are designed to recall past use of the Home of the Good Shepherd, with a nun in front of the GSC and a school girl picking an apple. There is also a niche sculpture of Jesus
Jesus
Jesus of Nazareth , commonly referred to as Jesus Christ or simply as Jesus or Christ, is the central figure of Christianity...
as the Good Shepherd
Good Shepherd
Good Shepherd may refer to:In Christianity:* The Good Shepherd , pericope found in John 10:1-21, and a popular image in which the Good Shepherd represents Jesus...
over the front entrance to the Center. The play equipment includes a water run (now shut down), swings, and some spinning Kompan play structures for older children.