(Image: SDOT)

Amid the the major challenges facing Capitol Hill’s central park, this is a small one. But work could start next week on a plan to save Cal Anderson’s Red Sunset Maples while also making it easier for everybody walking and rolling along the eastern edge of the popular park.

The Seattle Department of Transportation says work is tentatively scheduled to start Monday on a three-block project that will combine a variety of strategies including moving some areas of sidewalk, installing metal sidewalks that can leave more space for roots, and planting more trees along the park in an effort hoped to be wrapped up before the end of the year to replace cracked and buckled sections of sidewalk while preserving the park’s canopy.

“When this project is completed, we’ll have safer, smoother sidewalks for people walking and rolling, especially people with disabilities,” SDOT said in a statement sent to CHS. “At the same time, we’ll have more space for the street trees.”

(Image: SDOT)

CHS reported here in May on the problemed stretch of sidewalk between Denny and Pine along 11th Ave after ominous “tree retention evaluation” signs went up in the area. With removal of the trees a last resort, SDOT said one possible solution could be to adjust the path of the sidewalk around the trees.

With the project ready to dig in, SDOT said work will begin on the north end of the park and proceed south one block at a time with about 10 days required for each of the three sections. In some portions, the sidewalk will be adjusted to wind around the trees up to two feet west of the current sidewalk and away from the curb. “The sidewalk will end up zigging and zagging to give trees more room,” SDOT says.

In other portions where there is no room to zig or zag along Bobby Morris field, SDOT crews will install metal plates instead of new concrete sidewalks. SDOT says the metal plates allow for a “non-skid” walking surface under 1 1/2 inches thick. The slim profile reduces impacts on roots, letting the trees stay where they are while ensuring the sidewalk is accessible — and apparently not too slippery.

Next year, SDOT says it will also plant three new trees to fill in gaps and “create a more consistent tree-lined edge on the east side of Cal Anderson.”

The needed project comes amid ongoing questions around other elements of the park and promised community and safety investments in the wake of CHOP. Cal Anderson has also been a center in the city’s homelessness crisis.

Earlier this month, Seattle Police and city workers cleared campers from around the Black Lives Memorial Garden where garden supporters have also been setting up camp after the parks department announced plans for a “turf restoration” project in the space officials say is needed “to host gatherings and large events” as part of the lawn’s “intentional design as a natural amphitheater and proximity to electrical and water hook-ups.”

Camping has continued. Over the weekend, Seattle Fire was called to extinguish a “rubbish fire” set beneath the roof structure between the park’s restrooms and its community meeting house. There were no reported injuries.

Seattle Parks, meanwhile, has continued work to improve the park including a near annual effort to repair the park’s water features and fountain and a small project improving the Cal Anderson playground.

SDOT says it hopes for the Cal Anderson sidewalk project to be completed before the end of the year.

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