Update: Planting on slope @ ‘Walking on Logs’

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For the second consecutive Saturday, valiant volunteers are helping the Walking On Logs Landscape Restoration Group literally dig in at one of West Seattle’s “gateway” spots – around the “Walking on Logs” sculptures on the slope west of the Fauntleroy Way SW end of the WS Bridge. There’s still time to go join them – they are working till about 4 and would appreciate even an hour or two of your time; today they’re planting, as part of a project to re-landscape the often-overgrown area. Access is via the frontage stretch of Fauntleroy upslope from the work zone, which you can reach from the eastward turn on 35th, just north of the bridge exit/entrance. (Thanks for sending the photo!)

4:28 PM UPDATE: Stopped by just before 4 – volunteers had wrapped up, but check out the empty planting containers in the foreground, showing how much they planted!

You can see the landscaping plan – funded in part by a city grant – in this story from earlier this month.

9:09 PM UPDATE: One of the Landscape Restoration Group volunteers, Sharonn Meeks, tells WSB the group planted 75 trees and 500 shrubs and indigenous plants, and volunteers “worked their hearts out.” Also from the group, Nancy Driver sent another photo:

Nancy promises an update later this week on today’s accomplishments and what’s next.

ripper April 28, 2012 (4:13 pm)

What kind of trees are they planting? Seems like it would be cool to plant Douglas Fir and other native trees to give it the look like how it was before being clearcut back in the day. Thoughts?

WSB April 28, 2012 (4:28 pm)

R – it’s in one of the previous stories, I can’t recall. Aspens maybe? Will look. I just stopped by (was heading west on the bridge anyway) to catch an “after” photo and am adding – TR

dsa April 28, 2012 (6:32 pm)

I applaud the effort everyone has taken to keep the area respectful. What I do not understand is why 48 of Populus Tremula were chosen to plant amongst the artwork. Googling reveals that it is a very large tree and will surely hide the statues. Hopefully, it’s nothing more than a very short ground cover.

Nancy38 April 28, 2012 (7:36 pm)

Swedish aspens (Populus Tremuloides Erecta) were planted in the area directly surrounding the statues. They do get quite tall but have a very narrow vertical habit. Quaking Aspen (Populus Tremuloides) were planted on the outskirts of the area away from the statues. Aspens were chosen for several reasons. The area has natural springs and stays wet all year. The aspens should help pull some of the water out of the ground so the area won’t be as boggy. When they are in leaf, they provide beautiful movement, and great color in the fall.

Lost In Space April 29, 2012 (9:24 am)

A fine plant and tree selection and a finer group of people putting them into the ground. Thank you!

ick April 29, 2012 (11:06 am)

Nice to have that drive look good for us:)

“Swedish aspens (Populus Tremuloides Erecta) were planted in the area directly surrounding the statues. They do get quite tall but have a very narrow vertical habit.”

Said to grow 40 ft tall. Hope not so tall that the view of the houses behind them get blocked.
Just saying.

WSB April 29, 2012 (11:29 am)

For those interested in the landscaping details: FYI, the all-volunteer group has been working on this for two years – and we have published repeated invitations from them for public involvement. https://westseattleblog.com/2010/03/walking-on-logs-1st-step-toward-a-better-maintained-future is just one of the stories. We say this all the time, and will say it again: The reason we cover community organizing efforts, councils, etc., is to help get the information out as widely as possible regarding what’s going on. So if there is an area about which you are concerned, get involved now; believe me, every group we have ever covered would have virtually KILLED to see more people show up, chime in, help out. If you are concerned about this area and DID get involved, hats off. Meantime, if you aren’t sure who’s involved in what in your part of town and Google doesn’t help, we spend a LOT of time answering those kind of questions via e-mail, and can probably at least point you to the most committed neighborhood volunteers we know in your area … editor@westseattleblog.com any time … TR

patt April 29, 2012 (12:01 pm)

The project has been in the works for two years! Of course the people in the houses were sent letter of involvement.

Thanks for reminding us that community group are not closed groups, people come and go. Joining one of them is our right and privilege as a member of the community.
And thank you, WSB a great help for the people of WS

BTW
I think “Walking on Logs” is the only truly public art in WS, the rest are on private property.

dsa April 29, 2012 (3:07 pm)

I agree. We all deserve to have a say how our public lands are used. If I had seen the earlier articles or otherwise been informed, I could have said something sooner. As it is I hope the plantings do not obscure the artwork from the traveling public on this approach to West Seattle.

Mel B. April 30, 2012 (9:46 am)

Well said Tracy. Hats off to the people who put so much energy into cleaning up this area. Thank you for all your hard work and the hours of personal time you put into this work. I trust the planting selections you made will be lovely.