Seen on Alki: ‘Production shoot’ no-parking zone; new palm trees

Two sightings on Alki:

SIGHTING #1: Driving Alki Avenue a little earlier today, we noticed those signs along both sides of the Alki Bathhouse block (61st SW vicinity), announcing a temporary No Parking zone for 11 am-10 pm tomorrow (Saturday, March 22nd). The mandatory hard-copy notice attached to one sign explains that it’s for a “production shoot.” No further details so far.

SIGHTING #2: At first we wondered if this were related to #1, but a Twitter conversation threw cold water on the idea: Palm trees arrived today, further east on the beach, tweeted Connie (@EyeOnAlki). At first, that led to memories of 2011, when palm trees were brought in so that Alki could double as Florida during the filming of “Ira Finkelstein’s Christmas” (which has since been retitled “Switchmas“). But after we tweeted that observation (but before we could get to the beach for the photo below), Jen (@hildeborg) tweeted that Parks crew members told her they’ve planted two between 53rd-54th SW to see how they do – with more possibly to follow.

We’ll be checking with Parks for more on the palm plan.

33 Replies to "Seen on Alki: 'Production shoot' no-parking zone; new palm trees"

  • Under Achiever March 21, 2014 (4:21 pm)

    Love the microclimate that allows hardy palms in Seattle. We’ve got us 6 various palms in our yard and feel tropical year ’round

  • NW March 21, 2014 (4:55 pm)

    They almost ,not being cynical here, remind me of folks moving here from say somewhere else. Moving to West Seattle to take root or maybe not….

  • nemobeansmom March 21, 2014 (5:02 pm)

    Those palms should do just fine, we have 8 of them in our yard. People think they can’t survive here but ours and it looks like “Under Achievers” are making the septics think again! :>)

  • sgg March 21, 2014 (5:38 pm)

    So why exactly would Seattle Parks be planting non-native species in a park? I get it that they get some $ for the photo shoot, but why plant non-native trees permanently?

  • Ray March 21, 2014 (5:40 pm)

    Nothing against palm trees, but… why? To make it more scenic? More like other “warmer” beaches?

    On clear days, we have one of the most awesome views from our “beaches” that do not need artificial enhancement like a non-native palm tree.

  • dsa March 21, 2014 (6:14 pm)

    Are they staked or have a really large heavy root ball so they can get re-established? I’ve read that palms grow new roots when transplanted instead of using the old ones that got cut.

  • i thunk March 21, 2014 (6:26 pm)

    I do not like palm trees here.

  • Wendell March 21, 2014 (6:43 pm)

    Palm trees? Seriously? Even if they do thrive, it is an odd choice for the PacNW. How about helping revive our ailing Madrona population?

  • nemobeansmom March 21, 2014 (7:19 pm)

    Does’t pay to post a comment from your phone which thinks auto correct on some of your words!!!

    Word was supposed to be skeptics LOL not septics!!!

  • Jane March 21, 2014 (7:21 pm)

    We received a notice about the production shoot tomorrow. It’s for an ivar’s commercial.

    • WSB March 21, 2014 (10:29 pm)

      Thanks, Jane! More often than not a “shoot” turns out to be a commercial rather than a movie, but you never know. We’ll be rolling by to check it out anyway. – TR

  • NW March 21, 2014 (7:37 pm)

    was on vashon month back and a madrona tree had seeded upon a rotted piece of drift wood it was thriving first I had seen that along puget sound beach wonder if a swordfern would survive planted at the base of one of those palms there are a number of palms already along alki the one plus is they provide shade

  • Taz March 21, 2014 (7:50 pm)

    PALM TREES???? Ewww. Do not like.

  • Lynn March 21, 2014 (7:58 pm)

    Palm trees do not belong on Alki. Yuck.

  • Mike March 21, 2014 (8:44 pm)

    I vote for Native trees/plants.
    I also vote for keeping so called “art” like the CNC cut out ladies near Saltly’s on private property….ruins the public space.

  • West Seattle Hipster March 21, 2014 (8:51 pm)

    Celebrate diversity! I love the palm trees on Alki.

  • W March 21, 2014 (9:16 pm)

    Looks like they have finally recognized that Alki is the California of Seattle and are going with it.

  • Red March 21, 2014 (10:21 pm)

    Remember that the trees could just be there for the shoot and then removed before they take root.

  • CanDo March 22, 2014 (6:13 am)

    If what the Parks crew says is true, then the City of Seattle really has lost it’s collective mind. Palm trees in the Northwest? Really? Why? To what end?

    • WSB March 22, 2014 (6:38 am)

      The Parks media liaison was out on Friday, so we won’t know for sure until Monday. I’d suggest reserving judgment until then. Just in case it turns out this commercial shoot involves clams doing the hula or something.

  • Civik March 22, 2014 (6:52 am)

    Yes, I would really like a reason that seattle parks is blowing money they supposedly don’t have on palm trees.

  • West Seattle since 1979 March 22, 2014 (7:33 am)

    CanDo, really? Palm trees have existed here for at least 35 years because they were one of the firs things I saw when I first moved here that old me I was in a molder climate than the Midwest,mwhere I came from. So not exactly a new idea. Though I think most of them are in private yards, not public spaces, so I’m assuming that makes the difference?

    I agree with Tracy, let’s see if they’re permanent and who paid for them before we make too much fuss. We don’t know for sure that the city bought them.

  • West Seattle since 1979 March 22, 2014 (7:35 am)

    Milder, not molder.

    • WSB March 22, 2014 (7:51 am)

      Considering this year we even have moss/mildew inside our CAR, I think “molder” works too…

  • WSide March 22, 2014 (8:37 am)

    Come on people. You’re complaining about palm trees? Really? Channel that energy to the resistance of the massive commercial construction that is taking over neighborhoods!

  • wetone March 22, 2014 (8:58 am)

    If this was done and paid (permanent) by Seattle Parks it shows how bad the people in charge are with good smart decision and budget issues. Some heads should role for this as this is a top down problem. One of the most beautiful view places in Seattle and they put Palm trees up wow……. not that I don’t like palm trees, but this is just wrong area. You wonder why they need more tax payers money ? maybe they want to plant some more palm trees ;) instead of starting on or maintaining the park properties they own and recently bought. I’m sure we will hear a responsible answer :)

  • unknown March 22, 2014 (10:54 am)

    I agree the money should be spent on something better but really what is wrong with Palm tree’s?
    They’re “green” they’re a living plant not concrete, they don’t drop leaves that slowly decompose like madrona’s and clog up our drainage systems and Palms won’t block the views that all those people who live down on Alki pay for.

  • Gatewooder March 22, 2014 (3:45 pm)

    I wish that Parks would stop parking their vehicles right on Alki trail. They managed to completely block it with two big vehicles when they brought the palms and just left them there for hours while they worked on the beach. There was lots of street parking available, I wish they were a little more considerate.

  • suanne p. March 22, 2014 (4:56 pm)

    Palm trees have been here for decades.. a few here and there can’t hurt.. some of you complain about everything!!! Maybe we’ll think it warmer when it’s not really…could help those will SAD disorder..see a palm tree and voila-your not experiencing a cloudy rainy day-your really in some sunny tropical place! the power of visual suggestion!

  • smokeycretin9 March 22, 2014 (5:02 pm)

    Seattle Parks Dept is anticipating GLOBAL WARMING PEOPLE!!!

    Palms will be our native trees. I’m all for it. in fact I am outside running my mower, both motorcycles and my car to hasten the process along.

  • unknown March 22, 2014 (6:31 pm)

    LOL to you smokeycretin9 and to help you along my hubby is too, mowing the lawn, weed wacking and edging all ran with gas.. oh and soon we’ll be drag racing the 1/4 mile at Pac Raceway, that should help the global warming a little sooner.

  • d. Del Rio March 22, 2014 (8:23 pm)

    How about we plant our native Shore Pine. Our native species give us a sense of place!

  • Mar-C March 23, 2014 (9:01 am)

    Looking forward to lying under a palm tree on a sunny summer day! No complaints here. I’m surprised no one’s complained about all that trucked-in non-native sand on Alki. I like that, too:)

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