Nantes Park—Gem of a little park

While out walking with a mama friend the other day, we came across Nantes Park as we huffed up Admiral Way. Wow, what a gem of a little park! I'd probably driven past it hundreds, if not thousands of times, in our 20+ years of living in West Seattle but we were always on our way to somewhere else—hiking in nearby Schmitz Park, playground time at Whale Tail Park or a day at the beach on Alki.

Tucked in this tiny pocket park is a unique and fun art installation celebrating a sister city partnership with Nantes, France. Whimsical sculptures by Claude Ponti, a beloved French children's author and illustrator, and a sitting wall filled with a variety of tiles created by middle and high school students in both cities. As you walk along there are questions prompting you to explore the different tiles in creative ways. 

There's still one last piece of the project to be completed which they hope to do this spring, a concrete path with the footprints of Ponti's creatures scattered throughout. Once they do we'll be back again!

If you curious: 

• Learn more about the park.
• Learn more about the project.
• Check out some of Claude Ponti's children's book from Seattle Public Libraries.
• For more hidden gems in West Seattle check out this post I did in 2021.