Get to Know the Fairmount Park Community (West Seattle)

This post is the Twelfth in a series offering insights into the unique characteristics of specific neighborhoods on Mercer Island and communities surrounding Lake Washington, including Parkwood, Tarywood, Woodridge, Judkins Park ,and Newcastle.

The Fairmount Park community in West Seattle is located between two north-to-south ridges that extend the length of West Seattle, running roughly along 37th Avenue SW (on the east) and 42nd Avenue SW (on the west). Local records trace the name for the area to a Seattle realtor who was familiar with Philadelphia, and named the area after a Philadelphia park. This name became official when it was applied to the area by the Seattle Planning Commission in 1954. 
 Today, the Fairmount Park neighborhood is roughly four to eight blocks wide, extending between California Avenue SW (on the west) and 35th Avenue SW (on the east), and basically follows SW Fauntleroy Way (one of the busiest primary roads in West Seattle) from SW Edmonds and SW Genesee Street on the north, and running south to SW Raymond Street. SW Fauntleroy Way runs approximately four miles, and is characterized by almost continuous residential and commercial development. There are a few diagonal sections of SW Fauntleroy Way that were once part of the Seattle Electric Railway Company route in 1907.  
Many of the single family homes in the Fairmount Park neighborhood were built between the 1940s and1960s. The residences (single-family homes and townhomes) on the slopes and in the low-lying areas near the Playfield were built more recently. 
 Fairmount Park covers roughly 475 acres, with 4,636 residents (according to the 2010 Census). Their average age was 35.2 years. The average household size was 2.0 people, and the average family size was 2.7 people.
 After several years of disuse, the Fairmount Park Elementary School is about to undergo improvements and revitalization. The current building will be expanded into a two-story building of 19.122 square feet, including an expansion to accommodate 10 additional classrooms. When completed, the school will be able to handle as many as 500 students. The improvements and expansion will allow SPS (Seattle Public Schools) to demolish to portable classrooms previously added to the school. The goal is to complete the expansion in 2014 and current plans seem to indicate it will be used as a neighborhood elementary school. 
The neighborhood essentially has retained its character as a middle-class neighborhood. Its consistent history, as well as its location and proximity to Fairmount Park Playground, the historic Fairmount Park school, and the activity hub of SW Fauntleroy Way make it very desirable.

Ken Urman is a full-time Realtor with more than 20 years experience, and is ranked among the top performers in his profession. He lives in Mercer Island, WA. and serves Mercer Island and the communities around Lake Washington. Buyers and Sellers benefit from the power of his experience, professionalism, and perseverance in achieving their real estate goals. Learn why Ken is a better choice for your real estate needs at www.kenurman.com