After about a month of construction, the pocket park on Spring Street is ready for summer guests.
“It looks great,” said Natasha Hirlehei, a server at Rocky Bay Cafe. “When people wait for a table, they can sit there instead of standing on the curb.”
The final piece was installed on May 8 and a ribbon cutting was May 10.
Pocket parks are usually built on small areas with irregular shapes. Town of Friday Harbor Administrator Duncan Wilson said this one was built to draw people to Sunshine Alley, where Brickworks is located as part of the area’s development plan, as well as for pedestrian safety.
“This was an area where several problems existed,” said Wilson.
The park takes up roadway which prevents vehicles from illegally passing on the right, when others are turning onto Second Street, said Wilson. It also helps drivers better see pedestrians when they cross the street, he added.
The Town of Friday Harbor Council voted to name it Breezeway Park at a recent meeting. Council will vote to determine where to place the sign, depicting the name, soon.
The park, in front of Palace Theatre, includes benches, shrubs, flowers, and a decorative wall. No nearby parking spaces were lost, but one was converted to a handicap spot.
The Friday Harbor Arts Commission selected Tom Small of San Juan Island to sculpt the park’s carved stone table and a granite chair and bench. Small specializes in glass casting, wood carving, welding, and stone sculpting.
“A lot of the lines of the piece comes from Native American artwork and the idea of sea and waves and flowing lines,” said Small about the bench. “You can really see that on the back of the bench, it’s just enough to give a subtle hint.”
Laura Roberts of Colorado and Bonnie Roberts of Renton chatted in the park on May 7, when visiting Friday Harbor.
“It’s a really cute community park,” said Bonnie.
Staff photo/Greg Sellentin
Staff photo/Greg Sellentin Tom Small of San Juan Island sculpted the park’s carved stone table and a granite chair and bench.
Staff photo/Greg Sellentin Local artist Tom Small will show 25 art pieces at the San Juan Island Artists’ Studio Tour on June 3 and 4. Three pieces are over nine feet tall and made of basalt.
Staff photo/Greg Sellentin Laura Roberts of Colorado and Bonnie Roberts of Renton chatted in the park on May 7, when visiting Friday Harbor.
Staff photo/Greg Sellentin
Staff photo/Greg Sellentin The Friday Harbor Arts Commission selected Tom Small of San Juan Island to sculpt the park’s carved stone table and a granite chair and bench.
Staff photo/Greg Sellentin The Friday Harbor Arts Commission selected Tom Small of San Juan Island to sculpt the park’s carved stone table and a granite chair and bench.
Staff photo/Greg Sellentin
