Keith Rickards and Carol Cooper

This year we recognize Keith Rickards and Carol Cooper, the husband and wife team who spearheaded the creation of the 8,200 square foot pocket park at the corner of 6th Ave. NW and NW 76th St., as Local Heroes.

Work on the park began in 1999 when Keith and Carol attended public meetings to get the corner lot, a former substation, included in the Pro Parks Levy. Later Parks property acquisition staff purchased the house on the adjacent lot. Altogether the purchase, design and construction of the park cost nearly $500,000.

Keith's advice for people considering working on a large project like this is be patient. "You want to get it done, but it takes time."

Keith reports that he sees people in the park all the time. One local couple recently held a naming ceremony for their newborn in the park, and about a dozen intrepid souls held a winter solstice celebration in the park.

Other key members of the 6th Avenue NW pocket park steering committee are: Joyce Klineberg, who worked on the project from the beginning; Doree Armstrong, a writer with the Seattle P-I who updated the project website; Steve McCullen, who coordinated with the many artists whose works are displayed in the park; and Kate Martin reviewed the landscaping plans and coordinated work parties.

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