Sweta sent the report and photos, so neighbors’ good deeds in South Alki would get wider exposure:
There’s a man and neighbors who have been hard at work improving the Spokane Street staircase.
They’ve cleared most of the bramble and added new plantings as well as adding the bench and the fish artwork (the man is a woodworker too).
I thought it might be worth noting these folks and their efforts on the blog.
They have done an incredible job! We walk on those stairs multiple times per week, and admire their hard work. The terrain isn’t exactly easy for landscaping, lots of blackberries, there’s no irrigation system, just lots of old fashion muscle! I’ve seen a woman working her tail off, but I can tell she’s motivated by passion. We both admire and appreciate their efforts.
That’s awesome 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼(Wow, how cool. Thank you! )I agree 100%…
Awesome job and I hope the city leaves the unsanctioned bench and artwork alone. The Edmunds St stairs down from 38th SW recently got some cleanup too. The blackberry-infested branches of doom overhanging the stairs have been trimmed substantially. No idea if it was a frustrated citizen or a city crew although my money is on a citizen. The city has never cut back the vines and branches far enough to make the stairs feel safe from the hostile vegetation.
Hi All,The 38th street stairs are my husband Tim’s new mission in life. One too many bonks on the head and he took care of that bramble. Now he carries a pair of clippers and a garbage bag every morning on our walk, helping the Mount keep 35th clean as well.🙂Thank you to all our caring neighbors!Chris
Thanks for the update, Chris. Having had to run a gauntlet of blackberry vines dangling over a sidewalk while out yesterday, I can appreciate that.
The city does trim sometimes – they did a big cutback at the Hudson stairs between 40th and 41st a couple of years ago, and replaced the handrails last year. I assume like so many things, the department in charge is underfunded and understaffed, so they can’t send crews out as often as they should.
Beautiful bench and fish! Thank you to those that cleaned the area and installed these! You rock!
I love this! I’ve been thinking about doing a little neighborhood trash collection and this might have been the last little inspiration I needed. <3
We met Cindy while she was working on this area. She and her neighbors are AWESOME examples of community and believing your “home” is more than inside your house. Also, for that spot above the curved wall, how about a little olive tree? Cindy and the crew, you ROCK!!!
I climbed those stairs in my neighborhood the other day and I wondered what was going on! I loved the new bench and all the clearing of the sticker bushes! Thank you, neighbors!
West Seattle greenspaces and public pathways have been absolutely inundated by invasive brambles and ivy for decades – it’s great to see some neighbors take charge but truly our city taxes should pay for remediation of these long standing problems. Have some pride in your city.
A huge shout out to Cindy & Brian for leading this effort. And it has truly become a neighborhood effort. From hands on help, to money for plants and encouragement, this is truly about community. We are inspired by all the positive comments and look forward to spring as the plantings take hold. Onward Alki Stair Way.
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