George & DeLayne Watton bought the lot at 3823 SW Willow Street in 1946 for $100 at auction. They raised three children there, starting with a cozy cabin and eventually turning that into a four bedroom Gatewood home. This particular West Seattle view lot would make a perfect location for a modern renovation or ground-up luxury home build, especially considering it's been assessed at $299K. The Wattons decided instead that upon their death the land would once again become Seattle's property so that it could be turned into a pocket park. DeLayne passed away in 2007 and George passed away earlier this year, so work has officially begun on the yet-unnamed park. Local neighbors seem happy to know the land and its views will be available to all of Seattle and not blocked by whatever multi-level structure would have otherwise been built there. The park is expected to be ready by Spring 2015.
· Couple's last wish: turn their West Seattle view lot into a park [ST]
· Watton House Removal Project Information [Seattle]
· Next step toward Watton family's pocket-park gift: Teardown [WSB]
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