The City of Burien’s FREE annual Music and Movies in the Park (we’re Sponsors) is back, with ‘Lulu LaFever and the Hot Tamales‘ headlining the kickoff concert on Thursday night, July 7th at Lake Burien School Park.

Concerts will run from 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m., unless otherwise noted.

“Summer is here and time to head to the park and enjoy some music and movies brought to you by Burien Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services!” reads a press release. “Bring your blanket, your lawn chairs, dancing shoes and picnic dinner to Lake Burien School Park and our new location at Hilltop School in North Burien!”

Concerts will start at Lake Burien School Park (SW 148th & 16th Ave SW) on July 7 and run through August 11th. Each Thursday night you will find fabulous music; Blues, Samba, Big Band, Rock and more! And don’t miss the Family Fiesta on July 14th with band Sambatuque, food and kids activites. New this year will be free dance lessons at 6pm—Samba on July 14th and Swing on July 21st!

New this year is a concert series at Hilltop Elementary School grounds (12250 24th Ave S) on Wednesdays, July 13-27th. Come and enjoy three great bands; Banda Vagos, Global Heat and The Camano Cadillac Band.

And end the summer with some fun movies under the stars at Lake Burien Park. One August 19th we will be showing Toy Story 3, and on August 26th watch Despicable Me. Movies start at dusk (around 8:30 p.m.).

For more information: www.BurienParks.net or 206-988-3700.

Here’s the lineup, including videos of some of the entertainment:

Thursday Night Concerts: 6:30-8:00 PM, Lake Burien School Park (directions)

Thursday, July 7: Lulu LaFever and the Hot Tamales (Sizzlin’ jazz, hot swing and sultry blues!):

July 14: Family Fiesta featuring Sambatuque (Free Samba dance lessons from 6-6:30, food, games & more!):

Click here to view the embedded video.

July 21: 85th Street Big Band with dancing by Swing-amajig (Free swing dance lessons from 6-6:30!):

July 28: The Seatles (Come and sing along to your Beatles favorites!):

Click here to view the embedded video.

August 4: The Diamond Experience (The look, the sound, is it Neil Diamond?  Come and sing along!):

Click here to view the embedded video.

August 11: Boomerang Summer (A revival of rock and soul!):

New Wednesday Night Concerts
6:30-8:00 PM, Hilltop Elementary School, 12250 24th Ave South (directions)

Thursday, July 13: Banda Vagos:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Thursday, July 20: Global Heat:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Thursday, July 27: Camano Cadillac Band:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Friday Night Movies: Movies start at dusk (around 8:30 PM) Lake Burien School Park (directions)

Friday, August 19: Toy Story 3:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Friday, August 26: Despicable Me:

Click here to view the embedded video.

The City of Burien announced Tuesday (April 19) that it is seeking public input in updating its Parks, Recreation and Open Space Master Plan – to take the 21-question survey, Readers can go to www.burienwa.gov/ParksPlan or click on specific links below.

The plan update will guide the City in its management and development of park properties and recreation programs for the next six years. The process started with updating the inventory of the City’s parks, but will also include opportunities for public input, beginning with the Vision for Burien community forums currently taking place. (See www.burienwa.gov/vision4burien for details about the visioning forums). Other public meetings will take place over the next six months.

A Parks, Recreation and Open Space Master Plan, also sometimes called the “PROS Plan,” is intended to provide guidance to the City in its management and development of park properties and recreation programs for the next six years. The last Plan was adopted in 2006 (see 2006 PROS Plan) and needs to be done again.

“The Plan enables the City to meet the requirements for park and recreation plans as set by the State of Washington Recreation & Conservation Office,” reads a statement on the city’s website. “Having a Plan that meets those requirements enables the city to be eligible for a variety of state and federal grants for acquisition and development of parks and recreational facilities.”

Updating the Parks, Recreation and Open Space Master Plan enables the City to meet the requirements for park and recreation plans as set by the State of Washington Recreation & Conservation Office. It also makes the City eligible for a variety of state and federal grants for acquisition and development of parks and recreational facilities. The document must also fulfill Growth Management Act planning requirements for Comprehensive Plan Elements as outlined by the Washington State Department of Commerce. A Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) is developed based on existing conditions and proposed improvements for the various facilities and programs recommended.

Here are direct links to the Parks Plan survey:

• Youth Survey: Click here to take survey
• Adult Survey: Click here to take survey
• Adult (Spanish version) Survey: Click here to take survey

When will the planning take place?
Beginning in April 2011, the Burien Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services Dept. will be conducting this planning process. This starts with updating the inventory of the city’s parks, but will also include several opportunities for public input, beginning with the Vision for Burien Community Forums. Other meetings will also take place over the next six months.

Volunteers are needed on Saturday, Feb. 5th to help clean up and improve Arbor Lake, located at 2nd Ave. South and South 124th St. in north Burien.

The work party runs from 9am – 11am, and volunteers will be helping improve the health of Arbor Lake by removing invasive, non-native plants, including Scotch broom and Himalayan blackberry. Volunteers will cut and pull these plants out, considered “hard work but satisfying.”

“Volunteers of all ages are welcome but children under age 14 need to be accompanied by a parent or an adult,” reads a flier released by the city. :Those under 18 will require a signed permission form (available at sign in or in advance by calling the number below).”

Here are the details:

WHAT: Arbor Lake Improvement Work Party.

WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 5th, from 9am – 11am.

WHERE: Arbor Lake, located at 2nd Ave. S. and S. 124th St. in north Burien (map below). Meet at the southwest corner of the park at 2nd Ave. S. and S. 124th St. in north Burien. NOTE: No restroom is available.

INFO: More info from a flier:

Why are we doing this stewardship project at Arbor Lake?
Because you want us to! At a September 2010 meeting with 25 lake neighbors, park users said they want to protect and improve the habitat value of the lake. Removing invasive plants will allow the existing native plants around the shoreline to grow better. We also plan to add more native plants to fill in the gaps left by the removed invasive plants in autumn 2011. A thriving natural buffer on the shoreline will provide food and shelter for birds and small wildlife and improve habitat for fish.

Arbor Lake also is the headwaters of Miller Creek and water flowing from the lake eventually sustains salmon living in the creek downstream.

What do volunteers need?

• Sturdy shoes or boots
• Leather-palmed gloves (we also will have plenty to loan)
• Filled water bottle
• We provide tools and snacks!

Sign Up and Questions
Advance sign up is encouraged to help us plan. Please contact Dennis Clark, Miller/Walker Creek Steward, dennis.clark@kingcounty.gov, 206-296-1909.

On November 20, 2010, 20 volunteers removed half of the invasive Scotch broom, blackberry, and other invasive plants on the west and south shoreline. Help us remove the other half!

View Larger Map

The City of Normandy Park is holding a Grand Re-Opening Ceremony for E.J. Nist Family Park on Friday, Oct. 15th at 2pm.

Called “A Walk Through The Park,” this free event will include a ribbon cutting, speakers and refreshments.

No RSVP is necessary, and it’s Free & Open to the Public.

Parking is available at John Knox Church (109 SW Normandy Road).

E.J. Nist Family Park is named in honor of Emmet Nist, who bequeathed the property to the City of Normandy Park for use as a park. This 5.2 acre park consist of approximately one half grassy field and one half forest. A portion of the park has a view of Puget Sound.

The Master Plan for E.J. Nist Family Park, which was adopted by the City Council in 2006, calls for a phased approach to the development of the park. Phase I improvements were completed in 2008-2009. Phase II of the park improvements has recently been completed. Phase II Park improvements include:

• Installation of new utilities (water, sewer, and power).
• Construction of paved entrance road and parking lot.
• Construction of viewing plaza.
• Signage and Landscaping.
• Trail Improvements.

The park is located at 242 SW Normandy Road in Normandy Park.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Grand Re-Opening Ceremony of E.J. Nist Family Park.

WHEN: Friday, Oct. 15th starting at 2pm.

WHERE: E.J. Nist Family Park, located at 242 SW Normandy Road in Normandy Park.

Volunteers are needed to help clean up Seahurst Park this Saturday, Sept. 25th, from 10am – Noon.

Work will happen at the top area of the North Maintenance Road, and volunteers are asked to meet at the intersection of SW 130th and 16th SW (link to Google Map).

If you come, be sure to dress appropriately, and bring heavy gloves and long-handled shovels if you can.

According to an email:

We’re going to go back to an area we worked in early 2009. With the help of volunteers and about 200 goats we cleaned up an area at the north end of the Park, where the top of the maintenance road exits into Shorewood. Because we’ve been busy in other parts of the Park, the blackberries and some ivy have grown up in that area, so we need to go back and knock it down to allow the native plants to continue growing.

If you can, bring heavy gloves and a long handled shovel, but we’ll have gloves and tools available. Boots, blue jeans and a long sleeved shirt are recommended.

Come on out if you can!

As is usually the case in Burien, there are volunteer park cleanups going on this weekend, with two of note:

1. SHOREWOOD PARK: Saturday 8/14/10, 10 am-12 pm:
The Shorewood event is scheduled at Shorewood Park from 10am – 12 pm. Please just show up if you’re interested – bring pruners and gloves if you have them. Shorewood Park is located at 28th Ave SW and SW 118th Street (follow Ambaum to 116th Street, turn left so you are heading west on 116th Street and follow to 28th Ave SW make a left and go 2 blocks, the park entrance is on your left side.) No Restroom Facilities.

The second Saturday of the month will alternate between Salmon Creek Ravine (odd months) and Shorewood Park (even months.) Work will happen from 10-noon. The “Shorewood on the Sound” neighborhood group has taken the lead on Shorewood Park and is now adding their wonderful environmental skills to Salmon Creek Ravine. Please check www.seahurstpark.org for updated locations of the work parties!

2. EAGLE LANDING PARK: Sunday, 8/15/10, 10 am-1 pm (Monthly – 2nd Sunday of the Month)
Please just show up if you’re interested – bring some water/gloves, and loppers if you have them. Volunteer Park Steward is Jim Branson. Eagle Landing Park is located at 14641 25th Ave SW. Follow SW 149th street heading past 25th AVE SW and the park is located on the left (west ) side of the street. The parking lot is small so if you park in the neighborhood please take care not to block neighbor’s driveways. No restrooms on site – the closest facilities are at Lake Burien Park (149th & 18th Ave SW). Please also check http://eaglelandingpark.org/ for updated information on volunteer work parties and information on Eagle Landing Park.

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!

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) 248-5510

Thank 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:

Click to View Michael Brunk’s Photo Slideshow

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:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.