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month : 06/2012 322 results

Major new Delridge rechannelization plan emerges at district-council meeting – this time, the south half
June 21, 2012 1:50 pm
|      36 COMMENTS
 |   Delridge | Delridge District Council | Transportation | West Seattle news

By Tracy Record and Patrick Sand
West Seattle Blog co-publishers

When we saw the agenda for last night’s Delridge Neighborhoods District Council meeting, featuring an SDOT presentation about “Delridge rechannelization,” we expected more information about this – rechannelization planned in connection with Metro Route 120 changes on the north end of Delridge.

Nope.

This presentation was about a new plan for mid-to-south Delridge rechannelization – and as you can see if you watch our video from last night’s meeting, its details surprised the District Council members too:

The South Delridge rechannelization plan, the SDOT reps said, is bundled with the forthcoming resurfacing/repaving of the same stretch, which was most recently detailed during Mayor McGinn‘s Town Hall in The Junction on May 3rd (as mentioned in our report on that meeting).

Read on for details of what the city unveiled last night, including the graphics of what the configurations are supposed to look like for each affected stretch, and news of one block where parking will undergo a dramatic change:Read More

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West Seattle schools: Aurora Lora leaving the district
June 21, 2012 11:47 am
|      30 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Seattle Public Schools‘ executive director of West Seattle schools has just announced she’s leaving the district. Here’s the letter from Aurora Lora, addressed to “colleagues” and forwarded to WSB:

It is with mixed emotions that I announce I have accepted a position as Assistant Superintendent for the Dallas Independent School District. In my new position, I will be supervising four executive directors, 45 principals, and will be responsible for overseeing the education of 35,000 students. My last day with the District will be July 6.

This was not an easy decision for me because I have truly loved my experience working with the principals, assistant principals, schools, families and community members of the West Seattle region. I have learned so much in the past two years from my work as an executive director and will genuinely miss the individuals that I have had the pleasure of working with during my time in Seattle.

I know the District is committed to finding a new Executive Director for the West Seattle region very soon. I wish you all the best of luck and look forward to hearing about the successes of the Seattle School District in the years to come.

Aurora Lora
Executive Director, PK-12 Schools
Seattle Public Schools

That’s just a few days after new SPS Superintendent José Banda begins work.

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NB Viaduct closure Saturday, & other weekend traffic alerts
June 21, 2012 11:09 am
|    Comments Off on NB Viaduct closure Saturday, & other weekend traffic alerts
 |   Not WS but we're mentioning it anyway | West Seattle news

Thursday is the traditional day for sharing SDOT‘s roundup of big weekend events around the city that might affect traffic – this time around, the events include the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon, which will close the northbound Alaskan Way Viaduct/99 from 5 am-3:30 pm on Saturday. And while it’s not on the city’s list, don’t forget the Morgan Junction Community Festival, which will draw a crowd to and around Morgan Junction Park 10:30 am-7 pm in the 6400 block of California SW – we’ll have another festival preview later today. Read on for the citywide heads-up, which starts with an event in the stadium district today:Read More

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Colman Pool: 9 days, 1 big operation till outdoor pool reopens
June 21, 2012 8:53 am
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

Those bags are part of a 57,000-pound special delivery that arrived at Colman Pool Wednesday morning (thanks to some tricky truck maneuvering): A special plaster mix that will be applied to the outdoor swimming pool’s surfaces right before the water starts flowing back in. It’s the final major step before the pool’s scheduled June 30th reopening after 5 months of work in the second phase of its $1.4 million renovation project. What was happening Wednesday was the cleaning and other preparation before the plaster:

Seattle Parks‘ project manager Garrett Farrell agreed to show us around the site, with just over a week to go till its belated season opening. Ahead – what you are most likely to notice when you first visit the pool this year; a hint .. it’s not in the water!

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West Seattle Thursday: 1st full day of Summer 2012
June 21, 2012 7:56 am
|      11 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Thanks to Alex for sharing the raccoon-family photo from “somewhere along Longfellow Creek”)
Welcome to the first full day of summer! Highlights from the WSB West Seattle Events Calendar:

BRIDGE CLOSURE TONIGHT: If you missed the announcement on Wednesday, SDOT added another westbound closure of the Spokane Street Viaduct (plus one eastbound lane) for tonight, 10 pm-5 am – as noted on our updated “this week’s closures” page.

LIBRARY STORY TIMES: Every so often, we like to remind you of these weekly events at your friendly neighborhood Seattle Public Library branch. Today, Southwest Library (35th/Henderson) presents Preschool Story Time, 11-11:30 am; Delridge Library (Delridge/Brandon) has its own edition, 11:15-11:45 am; High Point Library (35th/Raymond) has Toddler Story Time, 11:30-noon.

FAREWELL RECEPTION: The Kenney (WSB sponsor) is saying farewell to CEO Kevin McFeely (as reported here), and there’s a reception at 4:30 pm (7125 Fauntleroy Way SW).

‘CIRCLE OF SINGLES’: Event for singles 55 and over at Salty’s on Alki, 5 pm – details here.

WINE TASTINGS: Two tonight: West Seattle Cellars, 5:30-8 pm, Spanish and Portuguese Wines, from Casa Ventura, with Laura Stiff (6026 California SW) … Bin 41, 6-8 pm, with Randall Grahm of Bonny Doon, sharing not only wines but also excerpts from his new book “Been Doon So Long: A Randall Grahm Vinthology,” and autographing it too (4707 California SW).

WEST SEATTLE FIXERS’ COLLECTIVE: Meeting tonight at the West Seattle Tool Library (northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, 4408 Delridge Way SW), 6 pm.

K-5 STEM AT BOREN DESIGN TEAM: The team of community, school, and district reps working on West Seattle’s new public school meets at 6:15 pm in the library at Madison Middle School (45th/Spokane).

SANISLO ICE CREAM SOCIAL: Current and new Sanislo Elementary families are welcome! 6:30 pm (details on the calendar).

ALKI COMMUNITY COUNCIL: The monthly ACC meeting is tonight, 7 pm, at Alki UCC Church (62nd/Hinds) – agenda here.

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School Board: ‘Discussion’ promised for 2-schools-at-Boren plan; budget intro with Fairmount Park $; Roxhill kudos
June 21, 2012 6:17 am
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

(WSB cameraphone photo of the crowd just before public comment began)
Though it was not an agenda item, the just-announced co-locating of K-5 STEM and Middle College High School at Boren generated discussion, and a promise, at last night’s Seattle School Board meeting.

After half a dozen people voiced concern during the public-comment period, three board members did too, including West Seattle’s Marty McLaren, who promised a “public discussion” on the issue.

Ahead, more of the discussion, plus a budget item that might – or might not – relate to K-5 STEM’s eventual permanent home:Read More

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Summer Solstice Sunset Watch 2012: Crowd yes, sun no
June 20, 2012 9:59 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

(1st 3 photos by Torin Record-Sand for WSB)
At Solstice Park about an hour ago, NASA Solar System Ambassador Alice Enevoldsen looked off to the west with some trepidation/anticipation, a few minutes before the official 1st sunset of summer was supposed to happen, somewhere behind all this …

We counted more than 70 people scattered around the hillside viewpoint over the Lincoln Park tennis courts, where for the past three-plus years, Alice has showed up on equinoxes and solstices to explain them – and anything else astronomical that folks want to know about.

But as part of her volunteer ambassadorship, Alice organizes other events too – next up, a Mars landing party on August 5th, previewed a bit with Lego rover models at Solstice Park tonight:

Alice yelled out to the crowd that she’s still looking for a venue “with Internet and a roof,” available around 10:30 pm on August 5th. If you have a suggestion, reach her through her website, alicesastroinfo.com.

ADDED 11:32 PM: Thanks to those who shared their photos! First, Jordan Petram caught the color that the sunset yielded, even without the hoped-for alignment view at the park:

Cathy Jaramillo caught a closer view of Alice as she explained how that alignment would work if the sun were in view (note the stone in the lower right – that marks the spot):

And from Scott Scowcroft, the view of the crowd, looking northwest:

Note the cupola of The Kenney (WSB sponsor) off to the right.

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‘Walk for the Babies’: Saturday at West Seattle Stadium
June 20, 2012 7:23 pm
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle news

Here’s a 5K you may not have heard much about – but your support can save lives. At West Seattle Stadium this Saturday afternoon, big steps will be taken for the most tiny and endangered among us – drug-exposed and medically fragile newborn babies. The event is “Walk for the Babies,” a 5K (twelve and a half times around the track) to benefit the Pediatric Interim Care Center, a 22-year-old facility/program which takes care of those tiny patients “at an interim level between hospital and home … at a savings to the taxpayers of Washington State.” Here’s a video about it:

PICC is described as “the only specialized, 24-hour facility available for the safe withdrawal of drug-exposed newborns” in our state.

The Walk for the Babies idea hatched, we’re told, when West Seattleite Phoebi Crawford called PICC to ask what they needed – blankets? diapers? etc.? – and found out they just need money, because they have lost $400,000 in funding. The walk, which has more than 70 people signed up so far, is hoping to raise $100,000. You can donate by going here; if you want to participate in the walk, call Phoebi at 206-707-6220.

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West Seattle traffic alert: Extra bridge closure added, Thursday night
June 20, 2012 4:20 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   Spokane St. Viaduct project | West Seattle news

Along with tonight’s overnight WESTBOUND closure of the Spokane Street Viaduct – which means you can’t get to the bridge from I-5 or Beacon Hill – another one’s just been added for tomorrow night (late Thursday night to early Friday). Details ahead in an SDOT advisory:Read More

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Plastic-bag ban, behind the scenes: Bakery Nouveau’s story
June 20, 2012 3:41 pm
|      40 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

In previous discussions of the city’s impending “plastic-bag ban” – taking effect July 1st, as noted here last weekend – some have wondered how small businesses, especially those selling carryout food, are dealing with it. The Junction’s renowned Bakery Nouveau is telling its behind-the-scenes story on its website today – including the tax complications that it’s anticipating with the fee required for paper bags.

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3 days till you can ‘Celebrate Springer’ at Alki Bathhouse
June 20, 2012 2:54 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news | Wildlife

(Springer, photographed in 2002 by West Seattle-based researcher Mark Sears)
She’s one of the most famous orcas to pass through West Seattle waters – and as we first told you a month ago, the 10th anniversary of Springer‘s family reunion will be celebrated on Alki 11 am-3 pm this Saturday, at an event hosted by West Seattle-based The Whale Trail. The latest update on the festivities:

Ten years ago, a ferry quartermaster noticed a lone juvenile orca (A73, Springer) near the north end of Vashon Island and contacted local researcher Mark Sears, who confirmed the sighting. These actions led to the only successful orca reunion in history, being celebrated this Saturday at the Alki Beach Bathhouse with first-hand accounts of the rescue, updates about Springer and why her story matters to the recovery of the Southern Resident orcas today, a killer whale mask dance, and dedication of four new West Seattle Whale Trail signs. Hosted by The Whale Trail.

*Duwamish Tribe Singing Feet Dancers

*Introductory remarks by Martha Kongsgaard-Goldman, Chair of the Leadership Council of the Puget Sound Partnership

*Stories of the rescue and reunion by members of the rescue team

*Le-La-La Dancers, First Nations dance company from Victoria who were present when Springer went home

*Information about orcas and kids’ activities

Participating organizations include NOAA Fisheries, the Seattle Aquarium, Seal Sitters, the Whale Museum, and Friends of Lime Kiln.

Celebrate Springer! events conclude with a festival July 12-15 in Telegraph Cove, British Columbia where Springer was reunited with her family in July 2002.

For more information, check out the Celebrate Springer Facebook page and The Whale Trail,

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Another Harbor Island cleanup: Matson workers @ T-10
June 20, 2012 1:54 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Environment | West Seattle news

Earlier this month, we showed you the work of a group of Harbor Island workers calling themselves HIPE – unveiling murals and planters in an area once plagued by dumping. Today, we have news of a different group of Harbor Island workers beautifying part of the industrial, man-made island – Jackie from Matson Navigation shares the photos and this report:

A couple of years ago I wrote you about my coworkers and my volunteer project where we helped with the “stencil a storm drain” program in the Alki neighborhood.

I wanted to share with you that last night we were back at it! My small office worked together with the Port of Seattle to clean up a site at Terminal 10 (on Harbor Island, where Matson is also located). We worked to remove morning glory and other invasive plants, helped cover the area with mulch, and remove litter from the beach.

The site is a little bit of prettiness on Harbor Island, as well as a home for fish and wildlife. It felt really good to help tidy the area up a bit, and get some much needed sun at the same time.

Terminal 10 is just north of the old flour mill, as explained on this Port webpage.

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West Seattle parks: Roxhill skatepark/play area project goes out to bid
June 20, 2012 1:00 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

(“Final schematic” for skatespot configuration at Roxhill Park)
A milestone for the Roxhill Park skatespot/play area project – the construction work has gone out to bid today, according to Seattle Parks project manager Kelly Davidson, with a bidding deadline of July 11th, three weeks from today. (You can see the summary of work, estimated at more than $542,000, on the city’s eBid website, which lists West Seattle’s Grindline, designers/builders of Delridge Skatepark, as among the potential bidders.) The project is complex, with some of the skatepark features/work donated to the city, and the new play structure to be put up by volunteers. Davidson says they’re expecting to break ground at Roxhill in early August.

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Interested in being part of a Timebank? Help get one started!
June 20, 2012 12:29 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

Out of the WSB inbox:

A group of people in Southwest Seattle would like to get a Timebank started and are hosting an informational meeting to explain how it works and determine if there is enough interest.
Timebanks use a low overhead, self-organizing internet based system to help people exchange their talents, passions, and resources with other members so that they enjoy the necessities and the niceties of life. At its simplest, an hour you spend doing something for a SWEL Timebank member goes into the bank as a time hour. Then you have a time hour to spend having another SWEL member do something for you. People of all ages are welcome.

Timebank Informational Meeting
Wednesday, June 27th 7-8 pm
Senior Center of West Seattle
4217 SW Oregon

There are more than 100 timebanks in the United States, including one in East King County, called Eastside Timebank, which serves the cities of Kirkland, Redmond and Bellevue. There is also one in North King County called SWEL Timebank, which serves Shoreline, Woodway, Edmonds and Lake Forest Park. Timebanking is a great way to get to know members in your community. Representatives from Eastside and SWEL Timebanks will be at the meeting.

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Update: SDOT confirms 1st Av. S. bridge exit reopened early
June 20, 2012 12:16 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Spokane St. Viaduct project | West Seattle news

If you have already been on the eastbound Spokane Street Viaduct this morning, you know this already, but SDOT has now confirmed it – the 1st Avenue South offramp reopened this morning, a day earlier than anticipated, because the contractor finished the work that had required one offramp to be closed continuously for the past several weeks. This also means an end to bus rerouting, too, as Metro has just confirmed in an advisory. We just updated our list of scheduled closures for the rest of the week, which include Saturday’s 5 am-3:30 pm closure of the northbound Alaskan Way Viaduct for the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon.

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West Seattle Wednesday: Start of summer, 2012
June 20, 2012 9:59 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Wednesday: Start of summer, 2012
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

Thanks to Monty for this morning’s view of Mount Rainier, out in all its splendor just in time for summer to officially arrive at 4:09 pm today. Here are highlights from the WSB West Seattle Events Calendar for the rest of today/tonight:

TONIGHT’S SCHEDULED BRIDGE CLOSURE: The westbound lanes of the Spokane Street Viaduct are scheduled to be closed, along with one eastbound lane, 10 pm-5 am. (We’re checking to see if this plan is changed at all by this morning’s opening of the 1st Avenue S. offramp, which according to last week’s announcement was not supposed to happen till tomorrow.)

SCHOOL BOARD MEETING: In both public comments and on the agenda, there are items of interest for West Seattle at tonight’s meeting of the Seattle Public Schools Board of Directors. The list of public-comment speakers includes several who plan to address the announcement (first reported here Friday) that Middle College High School will move from South Seattle Community College to portables at the Boren Building, which also will be home to the new K-5 STEM elementary. The agenda includes next year’s budget, with funding for reopening Fairmount Park – to come from past-levy-related money rather than next year’s BEX IV levy – among the line items. Board meetings now start at 4:15 pm, with the public-comment period at 5, at district HQ in SODO; here’s the agenda.

DINNER AND MUSIC AT THE SENIOR CENTER: Doors open at 5 pm for a turkey dinner and live music at the Senior Center of West Seattle (California/Oregon), headlined by Casey MacGill. Details here; reservations requested.

2 HOT TOPICS AT DELRIDGE NEIGHBORHOODS DISTRICT COUNCIL: Tonight’s 7 pm meeting of the council with reps from organizations around eastern West Seattle has two hot topics on the agenda: the proposed Delridge rechannelization, and the plan for 200 Highland Park homes to get trash service every other week as part of the city’s pilot project starting next month. Public’s welcome; the meeting’s at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW).

SUMMER SOLSTICE SUNSET WATCH: As previewed here last night – be at Solstice Park around 8:45 pm and watch the sunset (expected just after 9) with West Seattle-residing NASA Solar System Ambassador Alice Enevoldsen. Her website explains the event, and how to get to Solstice Park if you haven’t been there before.

More on the calendar!

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Band rocked by big theft on tour eve
June 20, 2012 4:27 am
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   Arbor Heights | Crime | West Seattle news

The punk band Random Orbits will head out on tour today as planned, reports KING 5 (whose story from last night’s newscast is embedded above), even though they suffered a big loss in an Arbor Heights car prowl sometime overnight Monday night/Tuesday morning. According to a post on the band’s Facebook page, the thief/thieves made off with:

Fender 72’ Telecaster Deluxe – serial # MZ9576505 – “SCS” is carved into the back of the head stock
Gibson SG Standard – Serial # 112610579 – Cherry Red
G&L 1981 SB-1 Bass Guitar- Serial # B015960 – Black
David Eden Traveler – Bass Head – Serial # 1887
Marshall JMC 900 – White, with “No Beer On Top” written across the top
2500 dollars Cash which was inside a box of beer koozies/stickers/posters

If you have any information on the break-in or the stolen items, you can call police and refer to incident # 12-191715. Random Orbits is scheduled to play Leavenworth tonight and then keep heading east, all the way to New York state over the course of their tour’s first week.

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West Seattle scene: Another carving on Lincoln Park driftwood
June 20, 2012 3:36 am
|      34 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news

More driftwood carving at Lincoln Park, two and a half weeks after a whale and moon snail appeared. Bob Bussman shared photos of the work he spotted during a walk along Lincoln Park’s north beach yesterday afternoon – he described what they’re working on as a seal:

We don’t know if that person and another one Bob saw are the same ones who created the whale and moon snail (do you?), but the carving is being done in the same area.

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Burglaries, car prowls low, police tell WS Crime Prevention Council
June 20, 2012 1:43 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Southwest Precinct Crime Prevention Council | West Seattle news

From Tuesday night’s meeting of the West Seattle Crime Prevention Council, last one until September: With “emphasis patrols” out, burglaries, car prowls, and car thefts have continued at relatively low levels in West Seattle this past month. Currently, according to Southwest Precinct Operations Lt. Pierre Davis, this area is averaging 12 car prowls and 9 residential burglaries a week (last week, he said, there were 8). The “emphasis patrols,” according to Lt. Davis, have been in areas that had been hit hard by burglars/car prowlers late last year, and as the seasons change, so will the areas where police are focused – Alki, for example, needs extra attention this time of year.

In Q/A, a question about graffiti led to a vigorous discussion:Read More

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Got graffiti? Litter? White Center woman is making it her business
June 19, 2012 10:33 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | White Center

From partner site White Center Now: A woman who’s been regularly patroling for litter and graffiti near her home in WC – where she moved two years ago, after seven years in North Delridge – is now turning her passion into a business. Lea Kuchan is launching her startup Neat Street, signing up business and property owners interested in having someone make regular visits to take care of problems from tagging to trash to window-washing. Read her story here!

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Watch the Summer Solstice sunset with an expert guide at Solstice Park
June 19, 2012 7:37 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks | WS miscellaneous

We can’t guarantee the sunset will look like this (though the forecast is promising, if chilly) …

(Jim in Fauntleroy shared the photo this week but says it’s from about 3 weeks ago)
… but tomorrow night, you can celebrate the summer-solstice sunset at West Seattle’s own Solstice Park, during the 13th seasonal sunset watch with NASA Solar System Ambassador Alice Enevoldsen. Sunset as seen from the park over the north end of Lincoln Park (location info here) is usually about 10 minutes before the “official” time, which, she says, means you’d want to be there by 8:45 pm for the 9:01-or-so sunset. Read more about it on her website, Alice’s Astro Info.

P.S. The actual solstice moment is 4:09 pm our time Wednesday.

P.P.S. Alice is looking for suggestions for where to host a Mars Landing Watch event on August 5th around 10:30 pm – Internet required. Any ideas?

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West Seattle High School cheerleaders’ Mini Cheer Camp: Big win!
June 19, 2012 6:39 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle High School cheerleaders’ Mini Cheer Camp: Big win!
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Two dozen West Seattle High School 2012-2013 cheerleaders spent the day mentoring almost four dozen younger students during their Mini Cheer Camp a week and a half ago – and Bev Corey is sharing photos and a recap:

A great time was had by all the 47 campers from Holy Rosary, Lafayette, Schmitz Park, Alki, Gatewood, Sanislo, Arbor Heights, Hope Lutheran, Westside, and Our Lady of Guadalupe (schools), as they spent an afternoon with 24 WSHS cheerleaders learning cheers, stunts, and dances, making crafts, and enjoying getting to know each other.

The campers will perform as honorary cheerleaders at an upcoming home football game this fall. The West Seattle Cheerleaders want to thank all the campers who attended and can’t wait to see you all again at the Mini Cheer Camp Reunion later this summer.

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Followup: More Beach Drive safety enhancements planned
June 19, 2012 4:47 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Safety | West Seattle news

In addition to the new lighting quietly installed at Emma Schmitz Viewpoint last week (first reported by Beach Drive Blog), more safety-enhancing measures are on the way to the viewpoint and Me-Kwa-Mooks across the street. So says Seattle Parks, in its promised response to our inquiry last week for more information on the lighting and anything else that’s planned in the wake of the June 1st “safety walk” with Parks managers and Seattle Police leadership:

(WSB photo from June 1st)
Here’s the response, in its entirety:

Seattle Parks and Recreation response to West Seattle parks June 1, 2012 walk-through: What we have done and will do at Me-Kwa-Mooks Park and Emma Schmitz Viewpoint in the summer of 2012.

Pruning: Parks did most of the requested pruning in March.

• Parks removed a hedge on the east side of the street, opening up visibility into Me Kwa Mooks park and removing a barrier someone could hide behind.

• The crew lowered the hedge on the west side (Emma Schmitz Viewpoint) and did pruning to improve sight lines on the pines.

• Additional pruning called for in the following two items will be done by the end of June:

➢ A little more pruning was requested during the 6/1/2012 walk on one of the pines next to the bus stop. The pruning on this pine was done fairly recently. It was not clear if the requester realized this work had been done but we will look and see if any more work would make a difference.

➢ People pointed out the entrance to the trail that leads up the hill into Me Kwa Mooks Park. It is difficult to see the start of the trail and a tree planted there blocks visibility. We will try to improve visibility but the tree is healthy and should not be damaged or removed.

• Several people pointed out a corner as one goes down the south-most stairs. There is a weed (common names include American Bamboo and Knotweed) growing there. Unfortunately, if we cut it down now we will not be able to do management measures that were planned later in the summer or early fall (the best time to remove it effectively). The only effective way to deal with this problem is to wait. It is a very tough weed to control, and the management program will take years. It has been around for more than 20 years.

Lighting
• City Light suggested two lights that will increase lighting on the southernmost stairs. It appears they have already installed lighting on an existing pole. Thank you City Light!

Park Hours
• Parks will add a sign where people go down the first stairs on the south and will place another at the north end of the park. Need to confirm parks hours signs match the official hours.

Other
• There is a storytelling area built by a partner school about a block in from where the trail starts. The area has been used as an unofficial fire pit for many years. The crew will pull the blocks and post a temporary no fires sign. This will be done by end of June.

• Finally, Parks did not replace the screen around the sanican when it was destroyed last summer. There have been no complaints, and the visibility around the sanican is better without the screen for people walking down the street or using the sanican.

The “unofficial fire pit” was shown in our coverage of the June 1st safety walk, after a concerned neighbor led the way to point it out to us and interested participants after the walk.

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