Happy Biking Trails!
Hey! New Art! Luring mighty fine bicyclists to our ever-changing neighborhood! More »
How To Build Community
How many do you do, Good Neighbors? More »
Raise a glass and welcome our new pubs. The Oak as well as Tippe and Drague have moved in to our neighborhood. Raise a glass! More »
David says
Keep it safe when you drive through Lockmore. More »
Beacon B.I.K.E.S. Meeting!
Summer is fast approaching and Greenway completion is hot on its heals. If you think it ends there, allow us to prove your thoughts incomplete! Because its time to celebrate, take a peek into the future of how we move around Beacon Hill and get to the soul of the transportation picture up here. These aren’t pipe dreams, this is what draws us out to meet friends on the street, get to where we want to go, and invites us to go further with active transportation. It’s simply better living.
Join us at the Beacon Hill Library Resource Center from 6-7:45pm on Thursday, June 27th to discuss:
- Greenway updates and improvements
- BeHi walking plan update ideas
- Beacon Rocks! (July 28th concert is transportation-themed)
- (PARK)ing Day
- El Centro audit
As always, we promise light refreshments and good company. We can only make this happen together Beacon Hill, so we look forward to seeing you on the 27th!
Cheers,
Beacon B.I.K.E.S. Co-chairs
Ryan and Christine
Tennis, anyone?
QuickStart Tennis League for Beginning Youth
Seattle Parks continues successful play-based league approach to youth tennis
Other sports programs don’t make kids play on adult fields with adult equipment and now neither does tennis! Seattle Parks and Recreation continues our play-based tennis league for youth with little or no experience playing tennis.
The United States Tennis Association (USTA) developed the concept of QuickStart tennis, an introductory program designed to get youth playing tennis quickly. Check out their website www.10andundertennis.com to learn more about the concept. In only three years Seattle Parks has used the program to introduce more than 450 kids to the game of tennis in a fun learning environment with the help of more than 60 volunteers. Sitting at home is not as much fun as getting out and playing, and Seattle Parks is putting outdoor play back in the spotlight!
The league consists of two age brackets: 7-8 year olds playing on a 36’ court (standard court is 78’ long) and 9-10 year olds playing on a 60’ court. All equipment and supplies are provided. The league fee is $35 per player for the eight-week program. Practices/matches take place on Mondays and Wednesdays between 6 and 8 p.m., depending on age. QuickStart tennis starts June 24 and concludes on August 14 with a jamboree play day at the new Tennis Center Sand Point. Sign up at a Seattle Parks community center or online at www.seattle.gov/parks using your SPARC account. Parent participation is HIGHLY encouraged, as this is a family game!
We need volunteer coaches and parent managers! This helps keep league fees low. Volunteers can be tennis enthusiasts, parents, fans or anyone who loves helping kids succeed. No tennis or teaching experience is required. There will be two FREE QuickStart volunteer on-court training sessions on Monday, June 10 from 6-9 p.m. and Sunday, June 16 from 9 a.m.-Noon at the Amy Yee Tennis Center, 2000 Martin Luther King, Jr. Way S. BECU proudly sponsors this year’s 2013 QuickStart Tennis League.
For more information, please call Jeannie Shek 206-684-4764 or email jeannie.shek@seattle.gov
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Student Art Sale!!
Possible break-in…
This evening approx. 6 pm, saw 1 african American teenager riding bike in the driveway of my backyard neighbor. Another was walking toward the back of the house. I approached. Guy on bike took off to 25th ave s, the other guy started to walk out towards 25th also. I asked if he needed help, he said no. Then he yeah something to give a signal, 2 other African American teenagers came from the back of the house. They walked towards 25th ave s and appeared to travel south to the trail. called the cops and they showed up 10 minutes later.
Haven’t had a chance to talk with the neighbor involved but will fill you in as I get it. Just keep an eye out as this is happening around dinner time. Thanks.
Kyle
Wonder if we should get a phone list so we can at least call each other. ….
Cookie’s Chess Club for Kids!
Dear Community Member,
Detective Cookie Bouldin (see picture below) has dedicated her free time to the young people of south Seattle. She teaches chess and leads Chill-Out Anti-Violence sessions in our local schools. Her work includes teaching young people to respect others, choosing positive recreational choices, building self-confidence, consequences and having community spirit She finds extra financial resources for kids in need. Between 200 and 425 children ages 5 to 18, who are current members of her chess club are living below the state poverty level. Since beginning her program in 2006, Detective Cookie has impacted the lives of over 4,300 students with over 51,000 teaching hours.
It is impossible to measure the very positive impact she has had on thousands of children’s lives. Detective Cookie now needs our support. She no longer gets the limited funding she was receiving. The only way she can continue her invaluable work is with our financial help. You are invited to attend a great fund-raising event on Wednesday, May 29th from 5:30 to 8:30pm at the Lakewood-Seward Park Clubhouse – 4916 South Angeline Street. Tickets are $60 and include dinner, beverages, live music, a mini-auction of various vacation opportunities and a chance to meet some of Detective Cookie’s great chess players. Seating is limited to 100 people, so we encourage you to purchase your tickets immediately.
Tickets can be purchased or donations dropped off at the offices of Network Support Group:
Mt. Baker – 2817 South McClellan Street 206.721.0992
Georgetown – 5606 Sixth Avenue South 206.323.7173
NOTE – call to arrange time for pickup or delivery of your tickets.
Checks should be made payable to ‘Detective Cookie’s Urban Youth Chess Club.’
You can also purchase tickets online or make a donation with a credit card at: www.sngi.org
Feel free to call me if you have any questions: 206.478.9038.
Hope to see you there!
Pat Murakami, SSCPC President
…have a day that makes a difference
King Conservation District Money Available!!
The King Conservation District – Seattle Community Partnership Grant Program is now open for 2013 applications. Community non-governmental organizations, tribes and government agencies are welcome to apply. Approximately $360,000 will be available for 2013.
The King Conservation District – Seattle Community Partnership Grant Program is a joint effort between the King Conservation District (KCD) and the City of Seattle. The purpose of this partnership funding program is to support projects that achieve both KCD and the city priorities for natural resource improvement. Funding for the grant program comes from per parcel rates and charges paid by Seattle property owners for the King Conservation District.
Application Information
Project proposals should be for work to be accomplished in 2014. Applicants must fill out the NEW King Conservation District – Seattle Community Partnership Grant Application which is attached and can be found online at http://www.kingcd.org/pro_gra.
Informational Workshop
In addition, the King Conservation District and Seattle Public Utilities will host an optional, informational workshop to discuss the grant opportunity with prospective applicants. The workshop will be held May 17, from 1-2 p.m. at the Columbia Branch Library, 4721 Rainier Ave South, http://www.spl.org/locations/
Schedule
May 9th : Request for Proposals & New Application available
May 17th: Informational workshop at Columbia Branch Library
June 28th: Applications due to SPU for review. One electronic application not to exceed 7 pages and attachments should be submitted to Martha Neuman at Martha.neuman@seattle.gov.
August 19: SPU submits recommended list and proposals to KCD
August 26 – December 23rd: KCD Grant Review Subcommittee Review and Recommendations to the full KCD Board of Supervisors. Final approval of applications could occur at Board meetings in October, November, December 2013, or January 2014.
Questions or more information
If you have questions or would like to discuss proposal ideas, please contact me at 206-733-9036 or martha.neuman@seattle.gov
Please forward this announcement as appropriate. If you would like to be removed from the email list, please let me know.
Thank you for your interest!
Martha
Martha Neuman
Cross Utility Advisor
Corporate Policy, Director’s Office
Thank you mystery artist
You make my walk to the train more enjoyable. For those of you missing it. This rotating public art piece is at the top of the Ferdinand stairs most mornings.
Water Parks on!
Watch us save water AND provide
great summer water recreation!
Turning the Water on May 25
In ongoing efforts to balance Parks’ wonderful recreational experiences with sustainable water resource management, our decorative fountains, and sprayparks will operate in 2013 from Saturday, May 25, the first day of Memorial Day weekend, to Labor Day weekend. If the weather is good, Parks may extend the season for decorative fountains and sprayparks to September 15.
Specific daily openings for the wading pools will begin on June 22 and they will operate on sunny days when the temperature is forecast to be 70 degrees or higher. The wading pool hotline, updated each summer day by 9:30 a.m., is 206-684-7796.
Seattle Parks and Recreation offers several types of water features: decorative fountains, interactive fountains, and sprayparks.
There are interactive fountains at Ballard Commons Park, Lake Union Park and Miller Community Center.
There are decorative fountains at Cal Anderson Park, Freeway Park (Legion, Canyon, Pigott and 6th and Seneca fountains), Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Park, Westlake Park, Tilikum Place, and Waterfront Park.
Parks now offers sprayparks at Jefferson Park’s Beacon Mountain, Georgetown Playfield, John C. Little, Sr. Park, Lower Judkins Park, Northacres Park, Pratt Park, and Highland Park (opening later this spring).
Irrigation Reduction Study
In the summer of 2012, Parks conducted a focused irrigation reduction study to assess the impacts of a significant voluntary reduction in terms of financial savings, landscape health, water reduction and public response. Low priority irrigation areas such as informal lawns and well-established shrubs were targeted for reduction in about 150 parks, boulevards and triangles. High priority areas such as athletic fields, play areas, wading pools and beaches, special gardens, and areas with new plantings received
normal watering. Parks was able to save approximately 59,000 CCF (or hundred cubic feet, equaling 44 million gallons) and approximately $290,000 compared to recent four-year average use. This is just over a 20% reduction in average use, particularly remarkable given the 59-day dry spell Seattle experienced in summer 2012. What Parks learned is that it is cost effective in normal times to use the strategy usually reserved for drought conditions.
Based on continued need for balancing financial sustainability, park visitor experience, and environmental stewardship, Parks plans to continue similar irrigation conservation strategies in 2013. Parks staff will adjust sites to minimize the risk of any long term landscape health issues.
Peak-season water rates have increased 153% since 2007. While conservation can help the bottom line, park landscapes will continue to need water to maintain the trust the public has placed in Parks, and to support Parks’ great recreation opportunities and other environmental stewardship initiatives such as the Green Seattle Partnership’s citywide natural area restoration programs. Staff will continue to manage water use in the various types of landscapes with landscape health as the first priority, and will continue to uphold a strong conservation ethic by careful irrigation scheduling, appropriate plant selection, expedient irrigation repairs, and continuing to automate Parks’ irrigation systems.
The public can help in these efforts by reporting leaky irrigation lines to Parks’ maintenance request line, 206-684-7250, or emailing pks_work_order_desk@seattle.
Greenway Happy Hour – Wednesday May 22nd
Starts at the MTS Trail and 18th Ave. S. Junction on May 22nd @ 5:30 in the PM. Leisurely pace.
Help shape Seattle Parks and Rec!
Seattle Parks invites input to help shape
the future of parks, programs and facilities
Seattle Parks and Recreation invites the community to help plan the future of Seattle’s parks, programs, community centers and other facilities at one of six upcoming public meetings.
Parks is starting an important public conversation to ensure we have a great park system for generations to come. The goal is to gather public input to be incorporated into the final Parks Legacy Plan. This plan will be presented to the City Council in December to help guide future funding options.
“After an expansion of our system was made possible by several consecutive voter-approved property tax levies, we are at a crossroads,” said Acting Superintendent Christopher Williams. “Now it’s time to ask the hard questions: Are we spending resources as effectively as possible? What does the public think of our park system? What are the basic services we provide?”
To honor Parks’ 130-year legacy and to plan for our future, Parks needs to hear from Seattle residents, park neighbors and park users. Parks has scheduled a series of public meetings in May and encourages everyone who enjoys parks, community centers, swimming pools or other facilities to come and tell us what you think. The goal is to offer access and opportunity to all, in a sustainable way.
Seattle Parks will gather input on how we preserve the Seattle Parks and Recreation legacy. Parks will pose such questions as:
- “Should the community center programs seek to bring in more revenue?”
- “What do you think is important to provide through teen programs?”
- “How would you prioritize funding dollars for cleaning comfort stations, maintaining sportsfields, and lawn maintenance?”
To learn about the timeline and other input opportunities, please see the attached Parks Legacy Plan online here: http://www.seattle.gov/parks/
While some of the meetings focus on certain Parks functions, comments on any Parks activity or function are welcome at all of the meetings.
- Tuesday, May 7 from 7 to 8:30 p.m.: GENERAL MEETING
Seattle Parks and Recreation Administration Building
100 Dexter Ave. N
- Wednesday, May 8 from 7 to 8:30 p.m.: SPORTS, RECREATION, AND AQUATICS
Green Lake Community Center
7201 E Green Lake Dr. N
- Monday, May 13 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. SENIORS, TEENS INCLUDING LGBT, COMMUNITY CENTERS AND ASSOCIATED RECREATION COUNCIL (ARC)
Northgate Community Center
10510 5th Ave. NE
- Thursday, May 16 from 7 to 8:30 p.m.: ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMS, OPEN SPACE
AND MAINTENANCE
Jefferson Community Center
3801 Beacon Ave. S
- Tuesday, May 21 from 7 to 8:30 p.m.: GENERAL MEETING
Dakota Place Park Building
4304 SW Dakota St.
- Wednesday, May 22 from 7 to 8:30 p.m.: IMMIGRANT AND REFUGEE COMMUNITIES
South Shore K-8 School
4800 S Henderson St.
People who cannot make it to a meeting and who want to comment on the draft plan can send an email to parkslegacy@seattle.gov.
To read the draft plan or to learn about the timeline for the final plan please visit http://www.seattle.gov/parks/
For interpretation services or special accommodations at the meetings, please email parkslegacy@seattle.gov or call Susanne Rockwell at 206-733-9702.
A copy of this press release can be found on Seattle Parks and Recreation’s Parkways Blog.