What if a church could manage rainwater and offer shelter? Woodland Park United Methodist Church does both. It stands as a vital part of Seattle’s Greenwood neighborhood. This church is more than just a place of worship. It actively serves the community.
Let’s dive into the story of Woodland Park United Methodist Church. It is a place where faith meets action. The church houses the Hammond House Women’s shelter. This provides 20 beds for women needing temporary shelter. The church is also an environmental steward.
In 2018, Woodland Park United Methodist Church completed a RainWise installation. This project includes five cisterns and a rain garden. The system manages rainwater runoff from over 8000 square feet of roof area. This keeps about 30000 gallons of stormwater out of the sewer system each year. The church community actively participates in reducing stormwater pollution. The system captures and filters rainwater runoff from the roof. This protects Puget Sound from sewer overflows.
The RainWise rebate program covered 23660.02 dollars of the project cost. The Duwamish Infrastructure Training Program worked on the project. Aster Rosa Ecology completed the installation in about five months. Instead of grouping the cisterns Aster Rosa connected them around the building. Woodland Park United Methodist Church allowed their contractor to replace their existing garden. They kept the same aesthetic as the previous garden.
In September 2018, the RainWise Program held a dedication ceremony. They celebrated Woodland Park United Methodist Church’s clean water commitment. Tom Yeager a WPUM Trustee said this is a great opportunity. He believes it helps lead the community in being good stewards of the environment.
Looking ahead Woodland Park United Methodist Church has big plans. Starting in 2024 the church site will be redeveloped. This will be done in partnership with an affordable housing developer. The goal is a new multi-use structure. It will include about 75 residential units over six floors. There will be retail spaces and a home for the church. The new space will be more efficient and sustainable.
The apartments will have capped rents. These will be affordable to residents earning no more than 60% of the area median income. They plan to build as many family-sized units as funding allows aiming for 20%. There will be 18 parking spaces and some amenities in the basement.
Permitting is underway through 2024. Construction is estimated from 2024 to 2026. Woodland Park United Methodist Church is not just a building. It’s a beacon of hope. It combines environmental responsibility with community support. Its future redevelopment promises even greater service. The church leads by example in Seattle. It creates a better world for all.