BTB Contributor Gregory Rehmke tips us that if you like Burien’s parks, enjoy nature and dig geology (pun intended), you might enjoy visiting Eagle Landing Park over the next few days to see some “Geology In Action,” as two large trees have slid down the hill to the beach just north of the wooden stairs.
Eagle Landing Park is located at the west end of SW 149th Street, where it meets 25th Ave SW, in Burien. The walk from the parking lot to the beach is about a quarter of a mile down a long wooden staircase, dropping 275 feet in elevation.
According to Greg:
“Steady rain has saturated the soil around these trees, and high tides have significantly undermined the four or five large trees right next to the wood stairs.
When those trees go down they will probably take the stairs and perhaps the whole bottom platform with them (see pictures below).
Monday, Feb. 1st, and Tuesday, Feb. 2nd will have very high tides, which could impact these trees:
- Mon., Feb. 1st: 13.5 at around 6:40am
- Tues., Feb. 2nd: 13.6 at around 7:15am
Gregory Rehmke
www.LibertyFlix.org
grehmke@gmail.com
According to a poster at the park entitled “Geology In Action”:
Seeing slow motion
You may not feel the earth move here, but the evidence is all around you. This whole bluff is scoop shaped, the result of a catastrophic landslide sometime in the last century. Small piles of debris show where springs and heavy rains have washed gravel and dirt down from the hillside.Wetlands at the base of the bluff are a sign that water seeping through the hilltop’s sandy soil has run into something it can’t ooze through. In this case, it’s a layer of hard clay left behind by glaciers during the last Ice Age.
Creeping topsoil tilting trees
Gravity is causing the park’s topsoil to creep toward the beach and it’s dragging the trees down, too. Where the soil is moving slowly, the tree trunks develop a curve that keeps their growing tips pointing toward the sky.Where the soil is moving faster than the trees can grow, the trunks are still straight. They’re tiled though, in the same direction they – and the soil – are creeping.
Here are some photos Greg took on Sunday, Jan. 31st showing the creeping “Geology In Action”:
If you plan on going to witness nature at work, be sure to take some pics and send ‘em to us at editor@b-townblog.com if you capture anything interesting!
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If you live near the water in Burien (or want better access to it), be it Puget Sound or a lake, you may want to consider attending some upcoming meetings both this Monday and Tuesday night at 7pm at City Hall, when the city will discuss its proposed Shoreline Master Program.
Many residents are concerned that the city is considering turning some of what is now private waterfront areas into public spaces, resulting in Burien’s own “Alki Beach” or “Green Lake,” while others are happy that the city may be trying to open waterfront spaces for public use.
Here are the details:
WHAT: City of Burien meetings on its proposed Shoreline Master Program
WHEN: Monday, Jan. 25th – regular City Council meeting at 7pm & Tuesday, Jan. 26th at 7pm – Planning Commission Meeting
WHERE: Burien City Hall, located at 400 SW 152nd Street.
INFO: Links to the City of Burien’s documents on this issue are available here. More info on the Shoreline Master Program available here.
Some info from the Three Tree Point Yahoo Group:
The Shoreline Master Program Plan, in its’ present form, places its’ “highest priority” on increasing “actual and visual” access to all shorelines within Burien, i.e. Lake Burien, Three Tree Point, etc. Our greatest concern is should an attempt be made to create a “Greenlake”, “Angle Lake”, “Alki” or “Redondo” atmosphere, the increased noise, litter, and congestion could not only cause havoc and significant irreparable damage to the long standing ecosystems of both Lake Burien’s waters and our Puget Sound’s shorelines, but could also lead to a spiked increase in crime, leading to tremendous environmental impact.
We hope that you’ll take the time to briefly familiarize yourself with “The Plan”, and share your thoughts and concerns with members of both the City Council and the Planning Committee, either by e-mail, phone, or if possible in person.
The most effective way to make our concerns and desires as citizens known is to stand side by side, in great numbers, so that collectively our voices may be heard.
If you’re unfamiliar with the Shoreline Master Program, you may access all information and discussion regarding the proposed plan at the following link:
www.burienwa.gov/Search.aspx?SearchString=Shoreline+Master+Prpgram
Once you are on the website page, scroll down until you see the Shoreline Advisory Committee link. Click on each individual meeting date here for meeting minutes, proposals and “consensus.”
If you wish to speak at any of the meetings, it is our understanding that you must “sign up” to be heard, prior to the start of any scheduled meeting. The cut-off time for signing up is unclear, and therefore we invite you to contact the Burien City Clerk, Monica Lusk at (206) 248-5517.
REVIEW PROCESS
The Burien Planning Commission will review the proposed advisory committee recommendation for the revised Shoreline Master Program and make a recommendation to the Burien City Council, which has the final decision on the revised Shoreline Master Program. The following meetings have been planned:
- January 25, 7:00 pm: – regular City Council Meeting
- January 26, 7:00 pm: – Planning Commission Meeting: Discussion and possible recommendation to City Council on proposed Shoreline Master Program (not a public hearing).
- February 9, 7:00 pm – Planning Commission Meeting: Discussion and recommendation to City Council on proposed Shoreline Master Program (not a public hearing).
- February and March: City Council Public Hearing, discussion and decision on proposed shoreline master program. Dates to be determined following Planning Commission recommendation.
- April through July: Washington State Department of Ecology Review and Public Process. Timeline is subject to change Please check the City web site for the most up to date information.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
For more information on the proposed Shoreline Master Program, please contact: City of Burien Dept. of Community Development (206) 248-5510Thank you in advance for taking the time to read this message, and we hope to see anyone who is able to attend the next City Council meeting on Monday, January 25th, City Hall, 7pm and the next Planning Commission meeting, Tuesday, January 26th, City Hall, 7pm.
And here’s some info from Burien’s website:
Under the state Shoreline Management Act, each city and county with “shorelines of the state” must adopt a Shoreline Master Program (SMP) that is based on state laws and rules while tailored to the specific geographic, economic and environmental needs of the community.
The City was awarded a $117,000 grant by the state Department of Ecology for this work. The City is nearing completion of an update of the SMP.
Among the tasks completed to date are a Shoreline Open House hosted by the City in May 2008, and a draft Burien Shoreline Inventory, Shoreline Analysis and Characterization, Restoration Plan and a Cumulative Impact Analysis. On Nov. 20th, more than 70 community members attended a second open house, circulating between stations that offered information about a variety of shoreline-related topics and asking individualized questions of staff and the consultant team. The open house was an excellent opportunity for the community to become familiar with what is proposed in the Shoreline Advisory Committee’s draft Shoreline Management Program.
The Burien Shoreline Advisory Committee met nine times throughout the process and has completed its primary task of recommending an updated shoreline master program to the Planning Commission. In turn, the Planning Commission will evaluate the document, conduct a public process and provide a recommendation to the City Council.
RELATED STORIES:
- City Of Burien Holding Open House On Shoreline Master Program Nov. 30th
- Burien Receives $117,600 Grant For Shoreline Master Program
- Deadline to Help Burien’s Shoreline Plan is Jan. 11th
- Should Lake Burien Get A Public Park? City Says “No”
Story & Photos by Michael Brunk
Perched on the hillside overlooking the Shorewood area is the Salmon Creek Ravine Park. This unimproved wilderness area spreads across 88 acres of mature forest. A network of primitive trails leads you through a lush landscape dotted with sword ferns, broad leaf maples, red cedar, hemlocks and other native plant life.
Unfortunately, all is not well in the forest. Like many of the area’s parks, invasive species are crowding out the natural vegetation and taking over. The effects of this struggle ripple through the ecosystem of our natural spaces, affecting not only the native plants but the wild life that feed on them.
To address the problem, Burien Parks, in conjunction with Shorewood on the Sound and the Environmental Science Center, organizes regular volunteer work parties to go into our local parks to conduct cleanup activities and remove non-native vegetation.
On Saturday, January 16, a group of 14 volunteers – including students from St. Francis of Assisi – led by naturalist Jean Spohn of the Environment Science Center, gathered for a two hour work party. Their main goal was to attack outgrowths of English ivy that cover the ground and grow up the trunks of trees in park.
Kevin Alexander from Sustainable Burien pointed out a tree near the entrance to the park that had cracked near the base and toppled over from the weight of the ivy growing on it. This vertical growth of ivy is considered the highest priority as it will bloom and produce berries that are consumed and scattered by wildlife, starting new growths of ivy in the process.
Volunteers cleared 35 trees of ivy, using a technique that involves cutting and removing roughly five feet of ivy vines from around the base of each tree. The remaining ivy growing higher on the trunk will eventually wilt and die over the next several months. While attacking the ivy, they also gathered and carried out any garbage found.
Despite all of the hard work by volunteers at the event, this is just the beginning of the reclamation process at Salmon Creek Ravine Park. Additional work parties are scheduled with the next one taking place on Saturday, March 13.
For complete details on work parties at this and other local parks, visit http://seahurstpark.org/volunteer.html.
Here are photos from Saturday’s event:
Like to be helpful by whacking invasive ivy? This Sunday (Jan. 10th), from 10am to 1pm, YOU can help restore Burien’s Eagle Landing Park to health by joining in a “whacky” ivy removal work party.
According to BTB Contributor Jim Branson, volunteers meet on the second Sunday of every month from 10am to 1pm to remove invasive species and plant natives.
Please note that this volunteer effort is not sponsored by or affiliated with the parks department, so please bring your own tools if you have them.
You might need:
- Gloves
- Water
- Shears or loppers
- A pruning saw
- A mattock if you have one
- Layers of clothing appropriate for the weather (the forecast is for sunny and warm weather!)
As an extra bonus, a “Native Plant Steward” trained by the Washington Native Plant Society with over six years of experience battling ivy, will be on hand to answer any questions you might have. We will be working toward the goals and priorities recently established in the Vegetation Management Plan developed by EarthCorps.
Eagle Landing Park is located at the west end of SW 149th Street, where it turns into 25th Ave SW. Parking is limited, so some people may need to park on the street.
Also note that the nearest public restrooms are at Lake Burien School Park, at 149th and 18th.
Another reason to go? Bald Eagles actually live at Eagle Landing Park (whoda thunk it?) – here are two videos courtesy Mr. Branson:
King County will cede previously contested Puget Sound Park to Burien when the city annexes much of the North Highline unincorporated area, county Executive Dow Constantine and Mayor Joan McGilton announced Wednesday (Jan. 6).
The joint announcement ends a seven-week impasse between the city and county over the fate of the five-acre park at 1st Ave. S and SW 126th St, and clears the way for Burien to proceed with the final annexation process.
McGilton said annexation probably will take effect on April 1. The city council is expected to vote on that date at their Jan. 11 meeting.
Residents in the southern half of the North Highline unincorporated area voted by a sizeable margin last August to be annexed by Burien. The merger includes transfer of county property in the annexation area to Burien, which the city now will maintain, including streets and parks.
But city officials learned on Nov. 20 that former county Executive Kurt Triplett, in one of his final actions before leaving office, offered to sell Puget Sound Park to the King County Library System.
The library system, which was interested in building a new facility at that site and consolidating the White Center and Boulevard Park libraries there, signed a letter of intent to purchase the land for $600,000.
Burien lawmakers, however, were adamant that the park rightfully should go to the city as part of annexation. On Nov. 23, they postponed a vote to approve March 2 as the effective date and delayed annexation until this issue was resolved.
Constantine, who as a county councilman represented Burien, North Highline and West Seattle, inherited the conflict when he took office on Nov. 24. Before taking office, he asked Triplett not to proceed with the sale, and Triplett complied.
Earlier last year, Constantine twice wrote letters supporting Burien’s claim to Puget Sound Park if the city annexed part of the North Highline area (read our coverage here and here).
“A deal’s a deal, and it was the city’s understanding of the annexation process that it would receive six parks from the County, including Puget Sound Park,” Constantine said in the joint announcement.
“After detailed discussions, I agree that transfer of the park to the city is the right thing to do and should occur as part of that larger annexation.”
McGilton told The B-Town Blog, “I am very pleased that King County understood what Burien was saying, that we needed to be a part of the process in order to acquire Puget Sound Park.
“We are very happy that our new King County executive listened to the concerns of Burien and ultimately agreed that this was the best possible outcome for the city of Burien, for our soon-to-be new residents in North Highline, and for King County as a whole.
She added, “This part of our community has been underserved by parks. We look forward to bringing Puget Sound Park up to Burien standards for the residents who use this facility.”
In the joint statement, McGilton noted the transfer of the park, which still needs to be approved by the King County Council, “sets the right tone for this new era in King County government. I thank the County Executive for his leadership to reach a fair agreement on the parks transfer.”
City lawmakers had made it clear they considered the attempt by King County to sell the park, which was in the works before Constantine took office, a breach of trust. City Manager Mike Martin declared at that time that annexation would not happen until Burien got Puget Sound Park as part of the deal.
The city council also delayed adopting budget amendments for 2010 that account for additional revenue and expenses due to annexation until the park issue was resolved.
by Ralph Nichols
Burien City Council members had their first face-to-face discussion with a representative of the King County Executive’s office on the divisive issue of Puget Sound Park at their Dec. 7 meeting – and they didn’t blink.
Following a lengthy – and amicable – exchange of views with new Deputy Executive Fred Jarrett, the council agreed to delay once again setting March 2 as the formal date for annexing the south half of the North Highline unincorporated area.
City lawmakers made it clear to Jarrett that they consider the latest attempt by King County to sell the park – which was in the works before Executive Dow Constantine took office on Nov. 24 – a breach of trust.
And they remained equally adamant that Puget Sound Park, located at 1st Ave. S and SW 126th St. in the unincorporated area, is a county asset that rightfully should be transferred to Burien with annexation.
Jarrett appeared before the Burien council at the request of Constantine, who sent his regrets at not being able to attend the meeting. Prior to his election as county executive last month, Constantine represented Burien, North Highline and West Seattle on the King County Council and served as council chairman this year.
“We’re all in a place that we would really choose not to be,” Jarrett told the Burien council. “Our goal in all this is to be good partners and to reach an accommodation that meets the needs of both” the city and county.
Puget Sound Park is located on the land that once housed Puget Sound Jr. High, near the intersection of 1st Ave South and SW 126th.
Constantine, who in the past has strongly opposed efforts to sell Puget Sound Park, “is constrained by prior action of the [county] council,” he continued.
Before leaving office, former Executive Kurt Triplett included in his 2010 county budget an anticipated $600,000 from a planned sale of the five-acre park to the King County Library System. This one-time revenue is expected to pay for maintenance of county parks in unincorporated areas next year, Jarrett said.
Constantine had nothing to do with putting revenue from the sale of Puget Sound Park into the new budget and, Jarrett noted, “Dow did slow the [sale] process down” by asking Triplett not to act on a letter of intent with the library system.
Triplett complied with that request and, Jarrett said, the time to exercise the letter of intent has now elapsed.
However, Constantine presided over the county council meeting on Nov. 23 – the day before he was sworn in as executive – when it unanimously approved a $5 billion county budget for 2010.
“The Council has crafted a budget that protects public safety [and] keeps parks open in the unincorporated areas,” Constantine said following that vote.
Earlier this year, he wrote then-Executive Ron Sims, strongly objecting to any sale of Puget Sound Park for low-income housing, which was under consideration at that time.
Constantine also told the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council that the property should remain a park and should go to Burien if annexation took place.
King County Library Director Bill Ptacek has expressed interest in the library system acquiring Puget Sound Park and consolidating the White Center and Boulevard Park libraries, which would be closed, in a new facility at that location.
City Councilwoman Rose Clark told Jarrett it is “really reprehensible that at the 11th hour [before annexation] – 11:30 almost – the county says, “Oh, by the way, we’re going to sell the park and use the money for parks in other areas … and not tell you about it until the [county] council has voted” on it.
City Manager Mike Martin says that annexation won’t happen until Burien gets this park as part of the deal.
“To do that is a disservice to the Highline area,” Clark said. She then asked if the only way to keep other county parks open “is to take this park from Burien?”
Jarrett said that since anticipated revenue from selling the park is already in the new county budget, if the park is not sold cuts would have to be made or a source of replacement revenue would have to be found.
Nevertheless, he added, “We want to work with you. We want to be partners. We want to stop unilaterally actions by the county.”
“We would welcome that,” Clark replied.
Later, Jarrett said he and Constantine want to settle the park issue “in a different way. We just want to do this in a way that meets the needs of both sides.”
Clark insisted that as city and county officials discuss this matter, all meetings should be public, involve the city council and not just staff, and be held in Burien, which is a more convenient location than downtown Seattle for local citizens with a direct interest in the park.
Mayor Joan McGilton emphasized the important of parks in bringing the diverse cultures in Burien together. “We have [no parks] on the city’s east side,” she said.
And Councilman Gordon Shaw observed that the pending action by King County “proves the old adage that ‘no good deed goes unpunished’ … the whole thing doesn’t feel right.”
Burien officials learned about Triplett’s attempt to sell Puget Sound Park just days before the city council was scheduled to set March 2 as the formal date for annexing much of the North Highline unincorporated area – and just days before Triplett left office.
The city council then put the setting of an effective date for annexation on hold – and City Manager Mike Martin has declared that annexation won’t happen until Burien gets this park as part of the deal.
During public comment prior to the council’s discussion with Jarrett, Russ Pritchard, representing the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council, noted that the council has twice voted unanimously to oppose the sale of Puget Sound Park.
Yet, Prichard said, the county is now attempting to sell the park without first receiving public comment.
Will this be the site for another new library?
Burien resident Ed Dacy said “a park is a jewel, and that “sale of a park, even for a library, should not happen without an extensive public hearing. What else are they [the county] trying to sell in the back room?”
Dacy also said City Councilwoman Lucy Krakowiak, who also is a member of the King County Library System board of trustees, “must recuse herself” from voting on this park-or-library issue “due to a conflict of interest.”
Krakowiak later said while she wears two hats, she represents the city first and as a library system trustee recuses herself from votes involving Burien.
Rachel Levine, a member of the White Center Library Guild, said the pending sale of Puget Sound Park and possible closure of that library took them by surprise.
White Center was promised a new or expanded library through the library bond issue that was approved in 2004, Levine said. And the library, which “gets lots of use” with many patrons arriving on foot or bicycles, remains essential to the academic success of many Evergreen High School students.
“We can’t let go of the social network of our community,” she added. “We’ve already lost the Evergreen Pool – for the moment.”
Pat Price of Boulevard Park said residents there from students to the elderly “really need their library … we can’t find this acceptable to close two libraries to build one.”
North Highline resident Liz Giba said “to take away libraries from two communities that need them … is an ugly, ugly approach. We need libraries that are accessible … [and] the county told us this park would be saved.
“It’s time for King County, please, to treat us with a little bit of respect. We’ve been working for annexation for a long time. This is the latest step by the county to make it more difficult.”
City council members also agreed to delay adoption at Monday’s meeting of an amended budget for 2010 that would reflect both revenue and expenses associated with annexation. Instead, they will vote on Dec. 14 on a revised budget that does not include annexation unless the park issue is resolved before then.
So…what do YOU think? Please take our Poll, or leave a Comment below…
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by For the second time in three years, King County is attempting to renege at the 11th hour on a deal with the City of Burien.
The King County Library System reportedly has entered into a preliminary agreement to purchase Puget Sound Park at 1st Ave. S. and SW 126th St. from the county in a deal brokered by through the county executive’s office.
Puget Sound Park is located in the unincorporated area of North Highline that is to be annexed by Burien early next year.
But the stealth attempt to sell the park – initiated and discussed by the county without informing the city of its intent – prompted Burien council members at their meeting on Nov. 23 that they will postpone official annexation of North Highline, which tentatively was set for March 2nd (read our previous coverage here).
Burien officials and North Highline residents now hope that new King County Executive Dow Constantine, who was sworn in Tuesday afternoon (Nov. 24), will intervene to block the sale, thus allowing Puget Sound Park to go to the city as part of annexation.
Constantine represented Burien, North Highline and West Seattle on the King County Council until his election as county executive in November. Because of his swearing in, he was unavailable for comment Tuesday.
Burien City Manager Mike Martin informed council members about the pending sale of the park – which he learned about only late last week – at Monday night’s meeting and recommended that they not vote, as scheduled, on an ordinance setting March 2 as the effective date of annexation. They agreed unanimously to postpone action at this time.
“We expect to have that park,” Martin told The B-Town Blog today. “No annexation deal will be done until we get that asset.”
Mayor Joan McGilton sent a letter to Constantine on Nov. 20, requesting his “direct intervention in this matter.” She noted that city attempts to contact county staff had not produced “satisfactory results.”
“I think we can agree that such a delay is not in the best interest of our residents, and comes at significant additional cost to the County’s general fund,” McGilton told Constantine.
Martin said he only learned about the county’s interest in selling Puget Sound Park – initiated when Kurt Triplett was county executive – during a recent conversation on another matter with Fire District 2 officials, who said the property had been offered to them.
After they declined, King County reportedly contacted the King County Library System, which said yes to the offer and subsequently signed a letter of intent.
“We didn’t know what was going on until then,” said Martin. County officials had given the city no indication of their plans, despite the fact the park is in the area to be annexed by Burien.
Staff in the executive’s office under Triplett – who was chief of staff to former county executive Ron Sims until Sims resigned earlier this year to take a position in the administration of President Obama – apparently hope to make about $500,000 on the sale of the park to help plug the $56.4 million shortfall facing King County next year.
Greg Duff, president of the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council, said, “The people of North Highline want their parks. We want our open spaces. For them to do that now is a slap in the face…. The people of North Highline voted for annexation and want King County to stop messing around.”
Shortly after the August election, when residents of the southern part of North Highline approved annexation by Burien, Triplett proposed mothballing King County parks to reduce general fund expenses by $4.6 million.
Constantine quickly responded, opposing Triplett’s plan to cut funding for the parks in unincorporated areas. “Parks are important to the health and quality of life of everyone in the communities,” and closing them would be “short sighted,” he said.
In 2007, Sims pulled out of a deal signed years earlier with Burien and the Port of Seattle for the demolition of the Lora Lake Apartments, which were operated by King County Housing Authority, to pave the way for commercial development in the city’s Northeast Redevelopment Area.
Although the county successfully won control of the apartment complex, it later was demolished anyway because soil contamination made it unsuitable as a residential property.
Our friends at Burien Parks did some testing of the new Town Square Park Plaza interactive water fountains on Tuesday, Sept. 15th and shot the video below.
Here’s what Parks Director Michael Lafreniere tells us:
“We tested the fountain on Sept 15th.
Soon the Town Square Park Plaza Fountain (or is it a Fountain Plaza?) will be fully operational.
From what I’m told, the fountains should be operational sometime during the first or second week of October.
Still some tweaking and a County Health Dept inspection to go.
Yes, it needs a “Pool Permit”.
(Apologies for the cell phone quality video.)”
Here’s a map of the new Town Square Park:
Last Monday (Jan. 12th), the Seattle Daily Journal of Commerce posted a glowing story about Burien’s creative use of unused land at the new Town Square – turning it into an Interim Art Space.
The full story is here, and since it requires a subscription, here are some pertinent snippets:
What do you do when part of your project is stalled due to a lousy economy but you don’t want the empty space to be a blight on what you have already built?
You could fill the space with art.
When demand for condos slowed, Urban Partners decided to delay the second phase of condos for at least a year. That would have left a barren one-acre parcel. To avoid that, the developer teamed up with Ignition Northwest, the Burien Arts Commission and GGLO to create an interim space for art.
Several large-scale sculptures will be installed by crane late next week on the parcel, which is being called the Burien/Interim Arts Space. The first piece will be a 30-foot-tall mother and daughter sculpture called “The Passage” by artists Dan Das Mann and Karen Cusolito. It was first displayed in 2005 at the Burning Man festival in Nevada.
(Kathy) Justin said the space will be somewhat like a P-patch for artists.
Amy Hoffman, development associate at Urban Partners, said Burien/Interim Arts Space has a one-year lease for the parcel, after which it will become a month-to-month lease. Justin said the lease was donated by Urban Partners.
Hoffman said Urban Partners may start the second batch of 169 condos after the arts lease expires, depending on market conditions. The second phase also would include 25,000 square feet of retail.
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The monthly Shorewood Park cleaning event is scheduled for tomorrow (Saturday, Jan. 17th) from 10am to Noon at – you guessed it – Shorewood Park!
Please just show up if you’re interested – and don’t forget to bring pruners and gloves if you have them.
The group may be working in the lower half of the park so follow the short trail around and look for your fellow gardeners.
Shorewood Park is located at 28th Avenue SW and SW 118th Street (Follow Ambaum to 116th Street, turn left so you are heading west on 116th Street and follow to 28th Avenue SW make a left and go 2 blocks, the park entrance is on your left side):
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| 21 |
Last April, we posted this video about this then-unnamed Burien City Park:
http://www.b-townblog.com/wp-content/media/namethatpark-c_320x240.flvOn Jan. 14th, the Burien Parks and Recreation Advisory Board selected “Linde Hill Park” as the name for this one-acre park property located in the 600 block of SW 141st Street:
Unfortunately, our name nominees didn’t fare so well – none of the following got picked:
- H2Ohcrapthewatersuptomynecknow Park
- Plaza Del Swampo
- Pond de Inundacion
- Ambaumbiddilyardo Pond
- The B-Town Blog Urinario
- Gee Your Park Smells Terrific
In 2006, the Burien Public Works Department decided to take a different approach to the construction of stormwater detention ponds and, with input from the city’s Parks Department, designed it in such as way as to make it more publicly accessible. The site was designed with a modest walking path and benches, and also performs its function as a stormwater control facility.
UPDATE: Michael Lafreniere, Director of Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services for Burien, sent us this historic info on what the name “Linde” means to this neighborhood:
It’s taken from the plat…”Linde and Hill Park #4″ is the name of the area when it was platted. It still appears on surveys, plat maps and residents’ tax assessments in the area. The name “Linde Hill Park” was put forward by neighborhood residents, Henry & Connie Willman, for the connection with that area history.
It is my understanding that prior to incorporation, several of the areas out here had “park” names. Not as we think of “parks” in the parks and rec business, but place or area names. Boulevard Park, Linde and Hill Park, Lake Forest Park, etc. There was even an area called Seahurst Park which long existed before there was ever a park per se, even a newspaper called the Seahurst Park Optimist.
As to the Plat, as far as the developer is concerned (BTW there were a few other plats in the surrounding area with same name, i.e. the first one, #2, #3 and our #4) we learned from the Recorders office that the name that pops up is the South Seattle Land Company. If you look close on the attached, the Dedication on the Plat maps is signed by O.R. Linde, President and H Maurine Linde, Secretary of the South Seattle Land Co. The company was founded in 1890, so they were at the helm in 1948. So that’s where the Linde comes from. The “and Hill” part suggests another person’s name as the source, but we have no information as to who that may be. One of the other developers would be my guess. I’m told that the South Seattle Land Company did a good deal of development in the Burien area, but it’s no longer around.
Interestingly, a Google search turned up the following:
http://theusgenweb.org/wa/whatcom/families/linde.htm
…and there under #1, you see O. R. Linde and, ta dah, his first wife Maurine!
Here’s a scan of the plat in question (click on graphic to see larger version):
Under the City’s park-naming policy, public comments are welcomed for the sixty-day public notice period, which will end March 21, 2009. 
Send suggestions to:
Burien Parks and Recreation
425 SW 144th Street
Burien, WA 98166
Attn.: Park Name Comments
Or by e-mail to SteveR@burienwa.gov.
After the 60-day public notice period, the Parks Department, with the approval of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, will submit the recommended name to the City Council, which will make the final decision on the park name.
So…perhaps there’s a chance one of our name suggestions will make a comeback? Hmmm…
Have you ever fantasized about having strangers sit on your company name or logo?
Well, here’s your chance to make your wish come true right here in the heart of Burien – at the new Town Square Park.
Take it away, Captain Press Release:
With all the hustle and bustle construction, a crane you can’t miss, beams going up around the new library/city hall and the rest of the activity at Burien’s Town Square, it’s easy to forget that a new one-acre park is soon to emerge from all the work.
The City of Burien has awarded a contract to L. W. Sundstrom, Inc. for the park’s construction, and Burien’s first downtown park should be completed in time for the opening of the new library/city hall in the spring of 2009.
The park will be the focus of community activity for generations to come (perhaps even another B-Town BlogstockAPalooza?), including concerts, events, festivals and other gatherings. It will offer a plaza, fountains, public art, and a low-maintenance “green” landscaping plan.
Citizens are invited to be a part of this historic change in Burien’s downtown by making a contribution to the new park. The park will have several benches and other amenities that citizens sponsor by making a donation toward the cost of installation. Donors’ names will be placed on permanent plaques on these park furnishings.
For $20K, your business' name could be on the “Sunset Pavilion” sculpture by artist James Harrison.
The City is also looking for a major donor to contribute to the park’s major sculpture piece, known as the “Sunset Pavilion” by artist James Harrison.
The Town Square Park donation program is as follows:
Town Square Park Project:
- 10 benches: $1,500 each
- 5 trash receptacles: $1,000 each
- James Harrison art piece: $20,000
Town Square and 4th SW Ave:
- 7 benches: $1,500 each
- 9 trash receptacles: $1,000 each
- 1 landscape planting box feature: $1,000
If you would like more information about the donation program or are interested in donating toward the costs of have these park and street furnishings, contact the City’s Parks Department at (206) 988-3700.
| Jul ’08 |
| 31 |
| 6:30 pm |
Incredibly-talented Seattle violinist Geoffrey Castle will be playing with his band this Thursday night from 6:30pm-8pm at Music and Movies In The Park at Lake Burien School Park, and here’s a mini video concert of what to expect:
Local volunteers assisted Eagle Scout Michael Wines on July 26th with his project, which involved installing a park bench and landscaping at Lake Burien School Memorial Park.
Here’s a slideshow courtesy Burien Parks:
Created with Admarket’s flickrSLiDR.
The totally-free “Music and Movies In The Park“ continues tonight with delta blues band “The Jellyrollers” jamming live tonight at Lake Burien School Park starting at 6:30pm.
Here’s a video preview of what you can expect, shot at the Port Townsend Country Blues Festival in 2007:
And here is an MP3 of their song “Reuben“:
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Burien Parks’ Music and Movies In the Park got off to a great start last Thursday, with live music from Ruby Dee and the Snakehandlers.
This Thursday don’t miss two events at Lake Burien School Park:
- Giant Toobs Invade the Park: Seattle artist Susan Robb will be showcasing her outdoor, temporary art installation called Warmth, Giant Black Toobs from 11:00 am to 4:30 pm.
- “Family Fiesta” featuring Correo Aereo and the New Futures Dancers, performing from 6:30pm – 8pm.
After the first one had to be relocated to the BCC auditorium due to weather, the July 10th performance was held in good weather at Lake Burien School Memorial Park – here’s a slide show:
Created with Admarket’s flickrSLiDR.
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| May ’08 |
| 17 |
| 10:00 am |
If you believe the imminently wonderful weekend “Weather Advisory” (which we do since it’s about 68 degrees right now), this weekend will be gorgeous and sunny.
What better way to celebrate the belated arrival of Spring (or does this qualify as an early Summer?) than by heading on over to Shorewood Park on Saturday from 10am – Noon for a mulch spreading and invasive plant removal work party?
Volunteers will be working in the lower portion of the park so follow the short trail till you reach them. Parks Board Chair Jean Spohn will be leading the effort on Saturday so be sure to get signed in with her. You do not have to stay the whole time – come for as long as your schedule allows.
Shorewood Park is located at 28th Avenue SW and SW 118th Street (follow Ambaum to 116th Street, turn left and head west on 116th Street; at 28th Avenue SW take a left and go 2 blocks; the park entrance is on your left).
If you have loppers bring them along.
And don’t forget the sunscreen!
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Many folks have driven by the new “Jacob Ambaum Park” under construction at 12685 Ambaum (just north of SW 128th on the west side), with their children salivating over the cool new playground equipment:
While it may look completed to us amateur park enthusiasts (and children), please be aware that this park and playground is not yet 100% completed.
Just got off the phone with Burien Parks Director Michael LaFraniere, who says that the basketball court still needs hoops (backboards are up) and that the light poles are still en route from Texas.
The goal is to have everything complete within the next two weeks, and we will post updates as they come in, but in the meantime, for more information, everyone is encouraged to call Burien Parks directly at (206) 988-3700.
The official opening of Jacob Ambaum Park will be Friday, June 13th.
Some fascinating history about this park from the City of Burien’s website:
The history of Jacob Ambaum Park includes not only details of Jacob Ambaum’s life and times, but also the story of the roads and streetcar line he helped build–both of which played a vital role in opening up Burien to settlement and development…
In 1870 the Soloman family purchased 319 acres in North Burien from the U.S. Government. The Solomans settled near S.W. 128th and Ambaum, an area known as Mayfair and Hermes Depression. Soloman hoped that draining this swamp would yield rich bottomland for farming. After failing to do so, however, he sold off the land. Some of the early buyers included the Jacob Ambaum family.
A skilled “Jack-of-all-trades,” Jacob Ambaum, a German immigrant via Ohio, was a road-builder, realtor, investor and chicken rancher. In 1902 he brought his wife, Mary, to homestead in Hazel Valley. Ambaum’s thickly timbered property extended from 126th to 128th S.W., and from Ambaum Boulevard to 8th Avenue S.W., including the present site of St. Bernadette’s School. An existing house, dating to the 1880s, sat on the property. A new house was built in 1916. The Ambaums’ homestead was bordered in the front by a large gate flanked by imported Norway spruce.
Like Soloman before him, Ambaum tried to drain the Mayfair Depression. He met with some success, but the problem of flooding persisted. Ambaum’s daughter, Mary Ambaum de Leuw, recalls rafting across the flooded pastureland which is now the Mayfair Shopping Center. Only in spring and summer did the lake ever fully recede.
As soon as he could gather equipment and a couple of teams of horses, Ambaum began building roads. He worked on the McKinnon Road (Delridge Way) from Youngstown to White Center. The only road to town (South Park) was a branch road from the old wagon trail up Myers Way to Hicks Lake, and west to S.W. 112th and on to Seola Beach. Ambaum also cleared the roadbed from White Center (Roxbury) to Sam Metzler’s place (S.W. 112th). A piece was later added as far as 116th S.W. and over to 12th S.W.
Not being very accessible by steamship, however, the area was still difficult to reach, with many settlers forced to brave abandoned logging roads. In 1909 County commissioners proposed building a road from Riverside along the west bank of the Duwamish River, following the route of the Burien Railroad. Jacob Ambaum was commissioned to blaze a right-of-way for the new north-south road from White Center to Burien. Although “Ambaum Boulevard” would open up Burien to many–ushering in a new era of growth–the road was, in its early days, “an unending river of mud through a very solid corridor of fir trees.”
Originally the new road was to end at the city limits at White Center, but Burien residents lobbied to have it extended. The petition for the remainder of the road–which went on to Burien and eventually to Des Moines Way South on 165th–was filed by Jacob Ambaum himself. The road opened from White Center to Burien about the time the streetcar line was finished in 1912. Ambaum Boulevard developed more or less along the trolley line. It was believed that “Burien Way,” when completed, would “open up a vast, practically undeveloped territory.”
Besides building roads, Jacob Ambaum joined several realtors and property owners, such as George White and Sam Metzler, in developing the Highland Park/Lake Burien Street Car Line–also known as the “Toonerville Trolley” or “Galloping Goose.” Burien-area landowners pooled their money and purchased an electric streetcar from Seattle, in the hopes of opening the South End to potential home buyers. Ambaum was a shareholder in the venture. He owned two shares, each valued at $100. The speculation ultimately paid off: the line was a major factor in the development of the land along its nine-mile-long track.
Many people living along the line worked together to clear the right of way. As pole and tie contractor, Jacob Ambaum provided 600 cross ties at $.25 apiece, and 600 cedar poles at $1.00 apiece. Taking in two previous franchises, the new line was incorporated on October 10th, 1911.
The line’s tracks were laid haphazardly, without too much groundwork. Heading south from White Center to S.W. 118th St., the line detoured around Salmon Creek, continuing along Ambaum to 128th S.W., where it stopped at the Jacob Ambaum home. It then continued south along Ambaum through a forest of “sylvan solitude.” The line swung westward between 151st and 152nd and continued on to Seahurst, the southern terminus. Stops along the line had names that are still familiar, such as Michigan Siding, Oak Park, Green, Meetum, Carrvilla, Salmon Creek, Hazel Valley and Summit.
Due to landslides, power failures, erratic service and other problems, the operation’s finances became so bad that its investors asked Ambaum to take over the line. “As I understand the line only has about $80 to its name, even I don’t think that I could run a railroad on $80,” he said. The City of Seattle subsequently took over the line after a major slide put it out of operation.
On October 16, 1913 the original builders of the rail system gifted it to Seattle, provided that the City clear the slide that had wiped out a mile of track, and restore service. Other than the two dilapidated Hammond cars leased from the Seattle Electric Company, there was no rolling stock, barns, shops or other structures, aside from a few waiting stations. The cars were returned and the tracks deeded to Seattle.
The closing of the line was a bitter blow to many. Property all along the route had already been platted, and many people had started building homes. From Seahurst to White Center, residents (and potential residents) were left waiting for transportation. Consequently, the money needed for Seattle to take over and operate the line–around $30,000–was raised fairly quickly.
With the track cleared, service resumed and the line rapidly built up a lucrative business under its new management. The passenger trade was brisk. Many spans and passing tracks were built. Freight hauling became almost as profitable as passenger traffic, with carloads of bricks, building supplies and produce sharing the tracks with passenger cars.
Many shipyard workers moved to Burien, since the railroad traveled to Riverside, site of one of the shipyards. The streetcar and better roads spurred rapid growth of the South End after 1911. They also transformed the character of the community from agricultural to suburban, as more white-collar workers commuted because of improved transportation. Many of them settled in the Seahurst and Three Tree Point areas.
As the trolley line and Ambaum Boulevard brought more people to the area, businesses sprouted along Ambaum and S.W. 152nd. Even in the 1930s, however, the Highline area remained “a community of chicken farms, greenhouses and truck gardeners hauling produce to the Seattle Public Market.” Rail service was discontinued to Seahurst in May, 1929. White Center was served until December 17, 1933 when a slide covered the Michigan Street siding. The “Toonerville Trolley” was the only line of its kind in Seattle—entirely single-tracked over private right-of-way. And it is not entirely gone: to this day, some of the old tracks lie buried beneath the pavement on Ambaum Boulevard. . . .
Jacob Ambaum was also “public spirited,” serving on the Mt. View School Board for many years. Fiscally conservative, he believed in “Basic Education” and the one-room school. Ambaum had close ties to the neighboring O’Day family. “Mike O’Day prevented my father from losing his property during one very hard period. He was a friend in need,” recalled Ambaum’s daughter, Mary Ambaum de Leuw.
“When my father retired from road building he went into the poultry business,” recalled de Leuw. “The streetcar would stop at our gate and pick up eggs. Various little grocery stores were our customers. Good German sauerkraut delivered in large crocks was one of our specialties. . . .
“We were always self-sufficient in those days. We raised our own meat, made good German sausage and grew our own vegetables and fruit. When there was illness there was just the right herb cure in the garden. During the Depression years we had dinner almost every Sunday for various friends from town, and they were afterwards loaded up with food for the coming week before they left.
“Walking was one of our favorite forms of recreation. We would walk everywhere . . . through the woods which is now Shorewood to the beach and then south to Three Tree Point. Someone would always give us a glass of lemonade and friendly conversation. Many times we would also drink from the clear cold streams along the way.”
Jacob Ambaum and his family lived on his homestead in Hazel Valley until his death in 1945.
Ambaum Boulevard remained unsurfaced until 1921, when it was paved as far as S.W. 112th. Until the 1930s, when First Avenue South was considered for paving, Ambaum was one of the main routes to Seattle. Ambaum was widened to four lanes in the 1950s due to increased traffic. A multi-million-dollar paving and utilities improvement project was completed in 1977, resurfacing and widening Ambaum from White Center to Burien.
In 2002 Burien determined that its Northwest sector lacked open and recreational space, with no active park within walking distance at the north end of the Ambaum corridor. The Burien Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan identified a priority for developing a neighborhood park to serve residents west of Ambaum and north of S.W. 132nd. Burien identified several properties that might qualify as a park, with a requirement that the site must also provide visibility and safety.
In 2001 the City had identified two parcels on the Ambaum corridor just north of 128th S.W. that, if purchased together, would provide space for a “playtoy” for children as well as a sports court. City staff and real estate consultants tried to reach voluntary purchase agreements with both property owners. The owner of the south parcel was not interested in selling to the City, making condemnation likely. The owner of the north parcel was willing to sell to the City.
The Suyama Family Limited Partnership granted its lot to the City for $190,000 on March 25, 2003. Plans for the new Jacob Ambaum Park included the playground and basketball courts, restroom, picnic areas and plaza. Phase I Construction of the park was completed in February 2007, and the park opened for public use. The complete project design was expected to be completed in March, 2007 and construction to begin in May, 2007.
As we reported here earlier, we know that it’s sometimes hard to get out and go tour an unnamed B-Town park yourself, so we’ve done y’all a huge favor by walking through it ourselves and putting it on video:
Here are a few more from us here at the B-Town Blog to inspire you (we know you can do better):
- H2Ohcrapthewatersuptomynecknow Park
- Plaza Del Swampo
- Gee Your Park Smells Terrific
The park site is in the 600 block of SW 141st Street in an area that is lacking city park resources. It’s served as a stormwater retention pond in the past, but has been re-designed as a park.
In 2006, the Burien Public Works Department decided to take a different approach to the construction of stormwater detention ponds and, with input from the city’s Parks Department, designed it in such as way as to make it more publicly accessible. The site was designed with a modest walking path and benches, and also performs its function as a stormwater control facility.
The park name should include a reference to:
- Its location
- History of the area
- Natural or geological features
- An individual or group who contributed significantly to the acquisition or development of the park
- Or to an individual who provided an exceptional service in the interest of the park system as a whole
The parks advisory board will make recommendations to the Burien City Council which will make the final decision.
Suggestions must be received by Wednesday, June 18, 2008, and should include a short explanation of why the name is appropriate for the park.
Send suggestions to:
Burien Parks and Recreation
425 SW 144th Street
Burien, WA 98166
Attn.: Park Name Idea
Or by e-mail to michaell@burienwa.gov.
BURIEN – What better way to celebrate Earth Day than coming up with a name for a new park?
Burien’s parks and recreation advisory board is looking for suggestions and nominations to help name a unique pocket park that does double duty protecting residential property by controlling stormwater runoff.
The park site is in the 600 block of SW 141st Street in an area that is lacking city park resources. It’s served as a stormwater retention pond in the past, but has been re-designed as a park.
In 2006, the Burien Public Works Department decided to take a different approach to the construction of stormwater detention ponds and, with input from the city’s Parks Department, designed it in such as way as to make it more publicly accessible. The site was designed with a modest walking path and benches, and also performs its function as a stormwater control facility.
The park name should include a reference to:
- Its location
- History of the area
- Natural or geological features
- An individual or group who contributed significantly to the acquisition or development of the park
- Or to an individual who provided an exceptional service in the interest of the park system as a whole
The parks advisory board will make recommendations to the Burien City Council which will make the final decision.
Suggestions must be received by Wednesday, June 18, 2008, and should include a short explanation of why the name is appropriate for the park.
Send suggestions to:
Burien Parks and Recreation
425 SW 144th Street
Burien, WA 98166
Attn.: Park Name Idea
Or by e-mail to michaell@burienwa.gov.
The B-Town Blog will post the finalist name entries, and will also keep you updated on the winning name and any further developments.
In the meantime, here are our initial entries to get your creative juices flowing:
- Fluctus Grounds (“fluctus” = latin for flood)
- Sepulveda Basin (oops…already taken! Dang!)
- Aqua Velva® Park (wait…trademark violation)
- Inhibeo Park (“inhibeo” = latin for holding back water)
- Inundacion Pond
- Ambaumbiddilyardo Pond
- De Placa O’Ahorgase
- Da Water Retention Joint
- The B-Town Blog Urinario
You may have already enjoyed the 360-degree view of the QuickTime Virtual video of Eagle Landing Park.
Well, now it’s time to take some Dramamine, fasten your office chair seatbelt, lean in and enjoy this virtual tour of Seahurst Park in Burien:
Who needs go actually go outside to enjoy nature?
Here are two great 360-degree Virtual QuickTime videos of Burien’s own Eagle Landing Park:
| Jan ’08 |
| 19 |
| 7:00 pm |
Burien’s Seahurst Park is the place to be on a chilly night, especially if that chilly night is this Saturday, January 19th.
If you dress warm, you’ll learn that the beach can be as much fun in January as it is in July.
Check out the ambience of a living treasure hunt during an upcoming night time beach walk at Seahurst Park.
After the walk stick around for a hot drink by the bonfire.
For more about Seahurst Park, watch this video:
WHAT: Seahurst Park Moonlight Beach Walk
WHEN: Saturday, January 19, 7pm – 9pm
WHERE: Seahurst Park, Shorewood Drive South, Burien:
WHY: ‘Cuz it’s cool to do something outside when it’s cold!
Sponsored by the Environmental Science Center, Burien Parks & Recreation, and the People for Puget Sound.
For more information, call (206) 382-7007 or email dmiller@pugetsound.org.
SOURCE:
BURIEN PARK: “Me want Mama. Me want Dada. Me need hewp!”
YOU: “Aw, such a cute little park…yes you are!”
BURIEN PARK: “Mama?! Dada??!!”
YOU: “Can we keep it? Can we? Huh? HUH?”
Yes, now you too can become a proud parent to a Burien-area park.
Adoption papers are available right here.
