Thorndyke Medians

The Thorndyke Median Project is an on-going problem that is in the process of being resolved. A number of years ago well meaning residents in the Thorndyke neighborhood installed railroad ties around the six medians on Thorndyke Avenue W. They planted a perennial garden in the southern-most median. As time has passed the original planners and caretakers of the project have moved on, and the medians have fallen into disrepair; the railroad ties are rotting and/or have been displaced, the only mowing of the medians that is taking place is by the neighbors, and the perennial garden has now been overgrown with grasses. In addition, what maintenance the City of Seattle, Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT), is responsible for, the mowing, it has not been done on a regular and adequate basis; and what little SDOT does do, which is very little, is done only after sustained requests by the public.

At present there are on-going discussions with the Magnolia Planning Council and the City about the maintenance; a strongly worded letter has been sent to SDOT director, Grace Crunican about this matter. An outreach effort is also underway in the neighborhood in order to prepare and submit an application to the Neighborhood Match Fund, for funds that will be used for the planning and restoration of the medians.

The Thorndyke Medians

Medians South to North: (Street Level Pictures Here)

#1 Perennial Median between W. Plymouth Street and

W. Newton Street

#2 Median between W. Newton Street and W. Crockett St.

#3 Median between W. Crockett Street and W. Boston Street

#4 Median between W. Boston Street and W. Lynn Street

#5 Median between W. Lynn Street and W. Thorndyke Place

#6 Median between W. Thorndyke Place and 23rd Avenue W.