A “work party” is scheduled for this Saturday, March 13th at the Salmon Creek Ravine in Burien beginning at 10am.

The goal of this two-hour “party” is to save this park from invasive plants like English Holly, English Ivy, English Laurel and Himalayan Blackberry (EDITOR’S NOTE: Looks like we’re going to have to defeat the English again…).

These events are always a satisfying form of both exercise and social interaction, but we recommend that you RSVP early to the organizers.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Invasive plant work party at Salmon Creek Ravine

WHEN: Saturday, March 13th beginning at 10am

WHERE: Meet at the intersection of Shorewood Drive and SW 130th – the top of Goat Hill near the Shorewood on the Sound sign.

INFO: From the Shorewood on the Sound blog:

Help to protect our local forests by coming to a work party at the Salmon Creek Ravine on March 13th at 10:00.

We’ll provide tools and gloves and a specific project to work on for 2 hours.

Meet at the intersection of Shorewood Drive and SW 130th – the top of Goat Hill near the Shorewood on the Sound sign.

This is your opportunity to participate in a group effort to save this beautiful forested park from invasive plants like English Holly, English Ivy, English Laurel and Himalayan Blackberry.

RSVP/CONTACT: RSVP to Jean Spohn at jeanspohn@comcast.net, or if you have any questions.

Arbor Lake is one, small, unhealthy lake.

Within the next few weeks, the City of Burien will annex this lake into the city. The lake’s health problems, in large part, come from its public access. A couple times per month, citizen scientists visit Arbor Lake to perform visual assessments of the environmental and physical conditions around the lake. The reports from those visits are not good. Currently, King County has a clean-up crew at Arbor Lake seven days per week. The crew reports that there is litter (bottles, cans, paper, plastics, paint cans, used condoms, needles, etc.), biological wastes (poop, vomit), damage to the park equipment and gang tagging daily to clean up. They worry that Burien will not have the financial resources to provide this seven day a week routine just to maintain the lake and surrounding area at its current level. The worst damage happens to the lake on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. This is a time at which Burien typically does not contract for park clean up.

Photo courtesy Arbor Lake area resident Colleen West.

A number of the neighbors around Arbor Lake say that they would never consider swimming in the lake because the water quality is so poor. Several drainage pipes empty into the lake and there is a lot of non-point pollution entering the lake. Arbor Lake is obviously infested with fecal coliform bacteria (E.coli) because of the amount of poop that is around the lake at times. Remember E.coli is that stuff that sickened and killed people who ate infected food. The major cause of this E.coli is not from birds. It is from humans and dogs pooping in and around the lake. During the summer, the lake has major infestations of invasive weeds that choke out the oxygen in the lake and make the water impossible to sustain any fish. At that time, the water is not healthy for the birds to use either.

Photo courtesy Arbor Lake area resident Colleen West.

The Native Plant society has attempted to help the lake by planting some native plants but clearly a great deal more needs to be done to help this small lake get back on the road to recovery. Most of the homes on the east side of the lake are heavily gated to protect the owners from public intrusion into their homes and property. No Trespassing signs are everywhere. The road running along the west side of the lake has had to be blockaded due to car racing and crimes. The King County Sheriff frequently has to visit the lake. Like Lake Hicks, Arbor Lake has fared poorly with public access. The City of Burien will be picking up a big financial bill, if it plans to care for and restore Arbor Lake.

Photo courtesy Arbor Lake area resident Colleen West.

What Burien really needs to provide for citizens is a swimming pool where they can learn to swim and enjoy the pleasure of water exercise. Most small lakes do not do well (water health wise) having heavy public access. Arbor Lake and Hicks Lake have not been able to meet the demands that the greater public has on them and perhaps that is not their real ecological purpose. These fragile bodies of freshwater are not sketchy line drawings on paper, art work, public swimming pools or public garbage cans. They are living, functioning natural systems that deserve respect, understanding, protection and care. Do not plan on having your kids swim in Arbor Lake soon for both your kids’ and the lake’s health.

– Chestine Edgar

[EDITOR'S NOTE: Have something you'd like to say? Then email us your "Letter to the Editor" by clicking here. Be sure to include your real name and a way to contact you, and, pending our review, we'll most likely post it. Otherwise, feel free to leave a Comment below...]

by Ralph Nichols

Burien’s “highest priority” in updating its Shoreline Master Program should be assessing “reaches of shoreline where there is no public access,” City Councilman Brian Bennett told The B-Town Blog in a recent interview.

But Bennett, who served on the Shoreline Advisory Committee before his election to the City Council last fall, stressed that this view is based solely on his work as a member of that committee.

He vowed as a councilman to listen fairly to the concerns of all shoreline property owners when the council reviews proposed revisions to the plan later this year. He added that private property rights should be protected in the final document.

“There are certain areas of shoreline in Burien without any public access,” Bennett noted. Yet “public policy at the state and federal levels [calls for] access to public waters.”

Burien has two reaches of shoreline along “public waters” as defined by state and federal laws – Puget Sound and Lake Burien. Seahurst Park affords access to Puget Sound, and there are also limited access points at Three Tree Point.

But there is no public access to Lake Burien, and “the lake is public property,” Bennett said. “It is owned by the city and the state.”

The question to him then becomes how to create public access to Lake Burien without impacting property owners around the lake.

“I would like the community to consider limited secure access, gated with secure buffers” to the lake, he continued. This access would not allow boats and would have only “limited parking to promote people walking.”

His preferred point of access would be on lakeside parcels adjacent to the Ruth Dykeman Center that center directors hope to sell. Bennett hopes the city will consider buying one or more of these last remaining lots on the lake.

“If they are built on, there will be no opportunity again in our lifetime to gain access to the lake. It’s important for us to consider this…”

“There are kids just a couple blocks away wondering, ‘Why don’t we get to play on the lake?’” Bennett said. “It concerns me that this is a debate about us against them. It’s important that as a community we all be together helping each other out.”

He recalled that Lake Burien is considered the birthplace of Burien, and is just a block from SW 152nd Street – the city’s “main street” – making it a natural link to the downtown business district.

Bennett also said he has “heard from a lot of people” about this issue and understands their concerns. Any access to Lake Burien would have to protect the shoreline environment as well as the privacy and property of lakeside residents, he declared.

(Photo of Brian Bennett by Joe Mabel)

Burien’s Shoreline Master Program will not accomplish its goals without the active involvement of Burien residents.

The largest owner of shoreline property is the City of Burien, and city managers have chosen a hands-off approach to managing over 170 acres of shoreline parks.

One remedy for this would be a Park Ranger system—something that will never happen unless Burien citizens ask for it.

The first four goals of the Shoreline Master Program are:

1. The Shoreline Master Program shall result in no net loss of shoreline ecological functions and processes.
2. Regulation and management of Burien’s shorelines should be guided by ongoing and comprehensive science.
3. The City should be proactive in managing activities within the shoreline jurisdiction.
4. Implement an adaptive management approach to respond to changes and to ensure continued effectiveness.

The requirement of “no net loss of shoreline ecological functions and processes” is the same requirement we have always had since the Shoreline Management Act was passed 38 years ago. During those years, I have walked along the beach at least several thousand times, and I have witnessed gradual and continuing degradation. While I have not seen new bulkheads, and few if any new houses have been built near the shore in the last few decades, I have seen an increase in off-leash dogs, graffiti, vandalism, and trash. These types of shoreline degradation come from public parks with no enforcement of laws or park rules. The City has not been “proactive in managing activities within the shoreline jurisdiction.” They have been entirely inactive.

Every day, I witness people walking their dogs to the park, usually on a leash, and when they get to the sign that says “Obey Leash and Scoop Laws,” that’s when they let their dogs off leash. They usually don’t grab any blue bags from the dispenser. At Seattle beaches, it is a $500 fine to have your dog at the beach at all, so people drive to Burien to let their dogs run free, where they know the rules will never be enforced. I have three dogs, I live next to a Burien park, and I drive to Grandview or Westcrest to let my dogs run free, legally and safely. Since Burien’s incorporation in 1993, I’ll bet that not one single citation or arrest has ever been made for off-leash dogs, vandalism, graffiti, littering, or fires in Burien’s shoreline parks. If anyone from the City can provide documentation that proves me wrong, I would like to see it. I know that on my several thousand visits to the beach I have witnessed tens of thousands of violations of the rules, and never once have I seen any sort of enforcement officer asking anyone to change their ways. It is a small minority of park visitors that disregard the rules, but these same people come back day after day, inflicting damage on shorelines owned by all of us.

What would it cost for Burien to have a Park Ranger system? It might cost about $300,000 a year, or it might cost as little as $40,000 a year if the City hired a volunteer coordinator and implemented a volunteer Park Ranger system like the City of Kirkland has. With either a volunteer system or paid professionals, the emphasis could be on education and encouragement rather than strict enforcement and punishment. If the regular park abusers knew that someone was watching, and that enforcement was even a possibility, most of them would change their ways. Whatever the cost of a Park Ranger system, it has to be measured against the cost of having no enforcement at all. This daily abuse of our public spaces by a handful of miscreants costs all of us real money. The environmental degradation they cause is not some abstract concept. I can’t give you an exact dollar amount of the damage because government has not amassed the “ongoing and comprehensive science” the Shoreline Management Act requires. I do know that Burien citizens have suffered millions of dollars of lost property value. Many studies have shown that property values decrease up to 15% in areas with graffiti and vandalism, such as is currently allowed in our parks. Burien homes and businesses are worth billions of dollars, collectively, and even a 1% loss of property value would total millions of dollars. Not having a Park Ranger costs all of us real money. If the citizens of Burien require their government to comply with the Shoreline Management Act and “be proactive in managing activities within the shoreline jurisdiction,” then the environment and the citizens will benefit.

As a member of the ad hoc Shoreline Advisory Committee, I have attended about a dozen meetings over the last two years. It is my impression that the process of developing the Shoreline Master Program is merely a formality, a process the City is required to go through. No one in government or on the Shoreline Advisory Committee believes that the final document will actually result in “No net loss” as required by law. All this document will do is to create a new set of rules that gather dust on a shelf somewhere, ignored like the old rules have been for decades. Only when the citizens of Burien take this seriously and demand environmental protection will real change happen on our beaches. Please attend one of the upcoming meetings and ask that the City begin to enforce environmental regulation, for the benefit of us all.

- Jim Branson

[EDITOR'S NOTE: Have something you'd like to say? Then email us your "Letter to the Editor" by clicking here. Be sure to include your real name and a way to contact you, and, pending our review, we'll most likely post it. Otherwise, feel free to leave a Comment below...]

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

Volunteers are needed to help the effort to remove invasive plants from Burien’s historic Salmon Creek Ravine this Saturday, Jan. 16th from 10am to Noon.

According to Burien Parks:

Salmon Creek Ravine is a passive park, with trails and access roads affording nature hikes, scenic beauty, and solitude. The heavily wooded Ravine, a remnant of the verdant fir and cedar forest that once cloaked the area, includes a mile-long, year-round stream, and another mile of feeder tributaries, some of which are spring-fed. It also contains vestiges of the logging industry that flourished here. Springboard notches still scar the ghostly cedar stumps scattered among the nettles and sword ferns, and the faint, mossy traces of skid roads still haunt the hillsides.

The area includes many natural features – shorelines, streams, wetlands, ridges, gullies, and slopes – which enhance the diversity of local wildlife. Animals common to the Ravine include bald eagles, raccoon, red fox, muskrat bats, osprey, otters, and grey squirrels.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Salmon Creek Ravine invasive plant work party

WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 16th, from 10am to Noon

WHERE: Meet at the intersection of 16th Ave SW and SW 131st St. (see map here). The Salmon Creek Ravine trailhead is located next to the “Shorewood on the Sound” sign.  There will also be temporary signs at the location alerting motorists and volunteers about the work party.

INFO:

“We are starting a volunteer effort to remove invasive plants from the Salmon Creek Ravine.  There have volunteer efforts in both Shorewood Park and in Seahurst Park, and now the effort is expanding to include the Salmon Creek Ravine.

Wear sturdy shoes and work gloves.

Tools will be provided.”

For a historical perspective on Salmon Creek, download a PDF here.

Otherwise, mark your calendars and get ready to whack some weeds!

Contact Jean Spohn for further information at 206-433-0848.

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:

by Ralph Nichols

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.

Burien’s Dottie Harper Park, located at SW 146th and 4th Ave SW, was identified during last summer’s “Burien Walkabout” with author Thomas Seiverts as an underused and “scary” place by some participants.

Recommendations included bringing “light” to the park, which would enhance it aesthetically as well as increase safety.

So a bunch of local folks teamed up and are bringing temporary holiday lights to the park, with an official “lighting up” ceremony set for Sunday, Dec. 20th at 4pm.

Also, volunteers are needed to help install the lights on Wednesday, Dec. 16th, from 10am to 4pm.

BTB Reader Sybil Davis tells us via email that:

Dottie Harper Park is used by people of all ages, and creative lighting of it might make it much more inviting, take away the “fear factor” of sitting or strolling through it, and provide more performance options in the future.

Burien Parks' Steve Roemer, Myron Clinton, and Ray Helms.

What did the city do?
They provided expertise, skill, time and equipment and trenched down to the amphitheater!

What did Burien Arts do?
They organized and facilitated everything.  Found the BEST VOLUNTEER in the world in Jacob Daley, of Always Solid Electric who laid the electrical and did all the electrical work!

Who else helped?  Why is Burien a Dynamite Community?!
Because everyone pitched in and helped!!!  People didn’t form “focus groups” they just rolled up their sleeves and got to work!  It was impressive!

Kathy Justin designed a basic first year affordable light design for Burien Arts.

Home Depot and McLendon’s gave support, and ACE Hardware pulled out all the stops to get lights for Burien Arts.

The entire Burien Arts board of directors is donating money to buy the lights, and all have donated time.

What’s the result?
Lights On! in Dottie Harper Park on Sunday, Dec. 20th!

At 4 pm we will plug in the lights over the amphitheater in Dottie Harper Park. Now when you stroll through the park between the hours of 4-9pm Thursday through Sunday there will be a cozy bower of lights overhead in the middle of the Park.  Burien Arts has exciting future light plans but will reveal those later.  This is just the first step.

Please note that these are just temporary holiday lights for now.

What do we need?

• Volunteers to help us hang the lights this Wed. Dec. 16th 10 am to 4 pm
• Performers to sing or play music at 4 pm on Sunday, Dec. 20th – to help celebrate the fact that now we have Lights!
• Donations to Burien Arts to help defray the electric bill we’ll have to pay.  Your donation is tax-deductible, and can be made here: www.burienarts.org or via phone at 206-244-7808.

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.

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.

“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.

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…

by Ralph Nichols

King County Executive Dow Constantine, whose first full day on the job was Monday (Nov. 30), reportedly plans to meet with all interested parties before deciding the future of Puget Sound Park.

The King County Library System recently entered into a preliminary agreement with former Executive Kurt Triplett to purchase the park from the county in a deal brokered through county executive’s office.

But Puget Sound Park is located at 1st Ave South and SW 126th Street in the unincorporated area of North Highline that is to be annexed by Burien early next year. And City Manager Mike Martin said last week that annexation won’t happen until Burien gets this park as part of the deal.

Burien and North Highline officials knew nothing about the pending sale of the park to the library system until Nov. 20th (read our previous coverage here).

Frank Abe, Constantine’s director of communications, told The B-Town Blog on Nov. 30 that “one of the executive’s first action items will be to sit down with all the parties involved and to understand their concerns….

“Before taking office, Executive Constantine asked the previous executive (Triplett) not to take action until he could talk to everyone, and no action was taken” on a possible sale of the park, which is now on hold.

Constantine likely will meet with Burien Mayor Joan McGilton and Martin, King County Library System Director Bill Ptacek, and North Highline Unincorporated Area Council President Greg Duff, among others.

Abe said Constantine wants to “figure out what’s best – especially for the people of Burien.” Constantine represented Burien, North Highline and West Seattle on the King County Council until his election as county executive in November.

He added that Deputy County Executive Fred Jarrett has emphasized “we want to be certain the county doesn’t do something that’s arrogant or one-sided” where Burien is concerned.

Triplett’s stealth attempt to sell the park – initiated by the county and discussed with library system officials without informing the city or, apparently, library system trustees – prompted Burien council members at their meeting on Nov. 23 to postpone official annexation of North Highline, which tentatively was set for March 2.

Burien officials and North Highline residents hope that Constantine will intervene to block the sale, thus allowing Puget Sound Park to go to the city as part of annexation. And a Jan. 28, 2009, letter from Constantine to the North Highline Council, following a meeting he had with Triplett, may give them reason for optimism (download a PDF of the letter here).

At that time, while Burien lawmakers continued to deliberate the annexation issue, Triplett had identified Puget Sound Park as a county property that might be used for affordable workforce housing.

“Park property is hard to come by and especially dear to any community,” Constantine wrote the North Highline Council. “Any proposal to sell park property must receive the highest level of scrutiny and public discussion….

“Any specific proposal for Puget Sound Park would also need to be similarly presented for community review.

“Given that Puget Sound Park is located in the city of Buren’s Potential Annexation Area, I urged the Executive’s representatives to include Burien officials in any future discussions.”

“We expect to have that park,” Martin said following the Burien council’s postponement of setting a date for formal annexation. “No annexation deal will be done until we get that asset.”

And McGilton sent a letter to Constantine requesting his “direct intervention in this matter.”

Burien City Councilwoman Rose Clark, in remarks during the Nov. 23 meeting, called Triplett’s “eleventh-hour” attempt to sell Puget Sound Park “reprehensible.”

Councilman Gordon Shaw called the move “very, very bad government…. I’m very disappointed with King County. The (North Highline) residents have said before they don’t want the park sold.

Shaw added that the timing of the revelation of the proposed park sale “gives (the city) a really good opportunity to work with Dow in a new collaboration and to get away from the dictatorial attitude the county has had toward Burien in the past.”

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 county 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.

by Ralph Nichols

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.

KING COUNTY IS AT IT AGAIN!

King County apparently wants to sell Puget Sound Park without public comment or notice.  They had proposed selling it for low income housing during the summer.  This was stopped (?) by public outrage over the sale of a park.

Now the word is that they have a sale pending..  This is wrong on so many levels.  The worst part is that a park should NEVER be sold without public comment and debate.

If this sale was not pending the Burien City Council would have approved annexation of this area on March 2, 2010.  That approval is now on hold.  Many people of the community welcome any holding up of the annexation of North Highline.  Could these people be behind the sale of this park?  I hope not and I think not.

In the election to be annexed  into Burien the control over their area as an issue by the voters, this sale is an example of the high handed tactics of King County Government, without regard for the people effected.

I recognize that the purchase of land by a government from a private party needs to negotiate in private or the cost will go up.  But the disposal of government land needs to be transparent and open or people will wonder about undue enrichment of a government official.

If another government agency is the purchaser then this backroom dealing is terrible, and such behavior by two levels of government should not be tolerated.

- Ed Dacy

[EDITOR'S NOTE: Have something you'd like to say? Then email us your "Letter to the Editor" by clicking here. Be sure to include your real name and a way to contact you, and, pending our review, we'll most likely post it. Otherwise, feel free to leave a Comment below...]

Burien’s Mathison Park, located at 425 SW 144th Street, includes 5.3 acres of forested open space on the east side of town, with the only problem being that visitors could only experience the one acre initially developed and accessible.

Since August, the park has been undergoing some serious renovations, including 100+ goats munching brush away (see our video coverage here), and more recently some serious earthwork and grading to establish a new trail system and playground.

The expected completion date is December, and once open, visitors will be able to walk along meandering trails, enjoy views of Mount Rainier and learn about the park’s flora and fauna through a series of interpretive panels. Along the trail people can rest on a trailside bench or take in a view from several overlooks or picnic sites.

For the kids, the addition of a new playground will be a welcome enhancement.

An additional element of the project is the removal of substantial amounts of invasive plant species (thanks goats!) and the re-establishment of native plants, especially along the trail corridors. The final touches will include interpretive signage throughout the trail system.

Design of the park expansion was provided by KPG and the construction contractor is L.W. Sundstrom Inc.

Funding for this project has been provided by the State of Washington’s Wildlife and Recreation Program, the King County Youth Sports Facilities Grant program, along with City of Burien capital improvement program funds.

Here’s a sketch of the project siteplan (click to view full image):

In Normandy Park, Proposition #1 is aimed at creating a Metropolitan Park District, and, if passed, would take parks “off the chopping block” from closures and budget cuts, and create a revenue to continue funding the city’s parks.

Although if passed, NP’s Prop. #1 will support the funding of it, is not to be confused with neighboring Des Moines’ version, which deals with the potential closure of the Mt. Rainier Swimming Pool.

Proponents of the Proposition are holding a rally on Sunday, Nov. 1st, and here are the details:

WHAT: Normandy Park Prop. #1 “Save Our Parks” Rally

WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 1st, beginning at Noon

WHERE: Marvista Park

INFO: From their website:

“In response to revenue shortfalls for the year 2009, which have reduced available funds for Parks & Recreation spending, the Normandy Park City Council has adopted Resolution 817, placing Proposition 1 on the November 3, 2009 ballot. Proposition 1 asks voters to decide if a Metropolitan Park District should be formed for the purpose of operating and managing parks, natural areas aquatics and recreation programs.

In 2010, the City will face a $400,000 deficit, unless new revenue sources are identified. Cuts to be considered will reduce the level of services provided in public safety, parks and recreation, and maintenance of streets, storm drainage and public facilities.

Metropolitan Park District
Proposition 1 would create a Metropolitan Park District, which would have boundaries coterminous with the boundaries of Normandy Park. The Park District would be governed by the City Council serving as the Ex-officio Board of Directors. The Normandy Park Metropolitan Park District would have authority to levy property taxes to enhance and maintain the Normandy Park Parks and Open Space System as well as provide aquatics, cultural and recreation programs.”

Here’s a flier from supporter’s website:

Here’s the language from the Voter’s Pamphlet:

City of Normandy Park
Simple Majority (RCW 35.61.040)

Proposition No. 1
Metropolitan Park District

The Normandy Park City Council passed Resolution No. 817 in order to allow voters to decide whether to create a Normandy Park Metropolitan Park District with boundaries coterminous with the boundaries of the City as now or hereafter established and to be governed by the Normandy Park City Council as the ex officio board of commissioners to support parks, aquatics, and recreation programs. Shall the Normandy Park Metropolitan Park District be so created and governed?

FOR THE FORMATION OF A METROPOLITAN PARK DISTRICT TO BE GOVERNED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF NORMANDY PARK AS THE EX OFFICIO BOARD OF THE METROPOLITAN PARK DISTRICT COMMISSIONERS

AGAINST THE FORMATION OF A METROPOLITAN PARK DISTRICT

EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

If approved by the voters, this proposition would create a metropolitan park district to manage, control, improve, maintain, and acquire parks, parkways, boulevards, and recreational facilities, and to provide recreation programs. All property in the City of Normandy Park would be in the metropolitan park district.

The City of Normandy Park currently owns five destination parks, one neighborhood park, one low-intensity nature preserve, and twelve mini-parks. Most City parkland consists of passive parks and open space, but approximately eighteen acres are developed for active recreation. The City also owns and operates a recreation center and provides recreational programs. All expenses for these facilities and activities are currently paid from the general tax revenues of the City. In recent budget years, rising costs of providing other City services has limited the City’s ability to adequately fund parks and recreation.

If this proposition passes, acquiring, improving, maintaining and operating parks and park and recreation programs would become the responsibility of the separate metropolitan parks district. The Normandy Park City Council would act as the metropolitan park district’s board of commissioners but the district would acquire, improve, maintain and operate its facilities and programs separately from the City. To pay the cost of doing so, the metropolitan park district would have the authority to levy a general property tax of up to 75 cents for each one thousand dollars of assessed valuation. All revenues generated by this tax would be used to acquire, improve, maintain and operate parks and park and recreation programs.

Statement For Normandy Park residents live in a distinctly unique community intertwined with wonderful parks and green spaces that enhance our quality of life. The current economic climate presents our City with an approximate $400,000 budget shortfall. Our City’s situation is similar to many other municipalities. We must make tough choices by reducing services, including maintaining parks facilities and infrastructure. Approval of Proposition 1 will allow us to keep our parks open as well as improve, maintain and expand our City’s park system, NOW! • Improve hiking/walking trails throughout the City, remove invasive ivy, and enhance salmon and wild life habitat. • Increase capacity and improve safety for existing play fields, outdoor sport courts, maintenance and operation of existing recreation facilities. • Support continued community and arts events, youth, adult and senior recreational programs. • Maintenance and operations of and improvements to the Mt Rainier Pool. If approved, the estimated cost to a homeowner of a property with an assessed value of $500,000 about $225 per year, or 45 cents per $1,000 of assessed value. The Park District levy would be subject to the 1% cap for any future increases. Please support Proposition 1. Keep the “Park” in Normandy Park! Rebuttal of Statement Against Proposition #1 is providing residents with fiscally responsible choices: PROTECT EXISTING INFRASTRUCTURE, PAST INVESTMENTS, PROPERTY VALUES • Keep Open Mount Rainier Pool, ball fields • Fix and Complete existing or approved infrastructure improvements: Marvista, City Hall, Brittany, Nist Parks, Walker Preserve • Take Care of existing, but degraded parks, forests, streams, beaches, green spaces • Finish trails for seamless walking/running/biking. Please invest in our children’s neighborhood! Dedicate funds to keep the “Park” in Normandy Park!!! STATEMENT PREPARED BY: Linda Peterson Hughes, Walter Hunt, Earnest Thompson

Statement Against The new Parks District isn’t about parks, it’s about revenue. It’s about creating another taxing district “pocket” for the City, with the revenue being controlled by the same elected officials and administration, and for the same purposes. It’s really all about creating a larger tax base for city government. Unfortunately, that’s not the whole story. The current administration wants more city staff and facilities. A new city hall, a new rec center, a new maintenance facility and commensurate additional staff have all been under discussion at the city, and all can be at least partially funded by this new Parks District levy. Complicating this is the apparent inability of our administration to appreciate the dangerous state of the economy, with plummeting revenues and skyrocketing personnel cost, and a state and county government which will be continually pushing large portions of their deepening budget shortfalls down onto us, making our financial situation even more precarious. This is a time for fiscal restraint, not expansion. A “Yes” vote without an individual commitment from the voter to vigilantly work to restrain city spending will result in much higher taxes and an unmanageable deficit in our immediate future. Tread carefully. Rebuttal Of Statement For No rebuttal submitted. STATEMENT PREPARED BY: John Rankin

Complete Text of Resolution

CITY OF NORMANDY PARK RESOLUTION NO. 817

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF NORMANDY PARK, WASHINGTON, PROVIDING FOR THE SUBMISSION OF A PROPOSITION TO THE QUALIFIED VOTERS OF THE CITY OF NORMANDY PARK AT THE NOVEMBER 3, 2009 GENERAL ELECTION, FOR THEIR APPROVAL OR REJECTION, PROVIDING FOR AUTHORITY TO CREATE A METROPOLITAN PARK DISTRICT PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 35.61 RCW TO BE GOVERNED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORMANDY PARK SERVING AS THE EX OFFICIO BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF SAID METROPOLITAN PARK DISTRICT; AND PROVIDING FOR OTHER MATTERS PROPERLY RELATED THERETO.

WHEREAS, the city of Normandy Park is an Optional Municipal Code City, located in King County, Washington, duly organized and existing pursuant to the laws of the state of Washington; and,

WHEREAS, Chapter 35.61 RCW authorizes a city to create a metropolitan park district wholly within its boundaries; and

WHEREAS, the City’s General Fund is facing a shortfall in excess of $0.40 million for calendar year 2010; and

WHEREAS, across-the-board reductions in expenditures paid from the General Fund could require a 15% or larger cut in individual departments or services; and

WHEREAS, Parks and Recreation services and programs are substantially funded by the General Fund. Additional funding is received in the form of gifts and user charges; and

WHEREAS, the City Council has taken steps to increase user fees and charges for Parks and Recreation facilities; and

WHEREAS, the City’s General Fund cannot support ongoing operation, maintenance and repair required for Mt. Rainier Pool; and

WHEREAS, in order to minimize the impact of cuts in services to people using Normandy Park Parks and Recreation facilities and services the City Council has directed City staff to prepare a proposition to be placed on the November 2009 ballot authorizing the creation of a metropolitan park district pursuant to Chapter 35.61 RCW; and

WHEREAS, a metropolitan park district has additional and independent authority to tax property to raise funds restricted to parks and recreation purposes provided for in Chapter 35.61 RCW; and

WHEREAS, Normandy Park Parks and Recreation are an essential element to the livability, public health, safety and welfare of Normandy Park residents; and,

WHEREAS, the City of Normandy Park does not have available sufficient moneys to sustain and maintain the facilities and services of Parks and Recreation departments of the City; and,

WHEREAS, in order to provide and maintain the Parks and Recreation facilities and services an additional source of funding is necessary; and,

WHEREAS, it is necessary that the funds needed for such expenditure be raised by an additional regular taxes levied in accordance with the law.

NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORMANDY PARK, WASHINGTON DOES HEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:

Section 1. Election. Pursuant to RCW 35.61.020, the Normandy Park City Council hereby calls for submission of a proposition to the qualified electors of the City asking whether the Normandy Park Metropolitan Park District shall be created. The Director of the King County Records, Elections and Licensing Services Division, as ex officio supervisor of elections in King County, is hereby requested to call the election in the City of Normandy Park on November 3, 2009 in conjunction with the general election to be held on that date.

Section 2. Ballot Proposition. The proposition to be submitted to the electorate of the City of Normandy Park shall read substantially as follows:

CITY OF NORMANDY PARK

PROPOSITION NO. 1

METROPOLITAN PARK DISTRICT

The Normandy Park City Council passed Resolution No. 817 in order to allow voters to decide whether to create a Normandy Park Metropolitan Park District with boundaries coterminous with the boundaries of the City as now or hereafter established and to be governed by the Normandy Park City Council as the ex officio board of commissioners to support parks, aquatics, and recreation programs. Shall the Normandy Park Metropolitan Park District be so created and governed?

[ ] For the formation of a metropolitan park district to be governed by the City Council of Normandy Park as the ex officio Board of the metropolitan park district commissioners.

[ ] Against the formation of a metropolitan park district.

Section 3. Boundaries of the Normandy Park Metropolitan Park District. The boundaries of the Normandy Park Metropolitan Park District shall encompass the City of Normandy Park, as fully described in Attachment A, attached hereto and incorporated by reference.

Section 4. Effective Date. This Resolution shall be in full force and take effect immediately.

PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORMANDY PARK, WASHINGTON, THIS 14^th DAY OF JULY, 2009; AND SIGNED IN AUTHENTICATION OF ITS PASSAGE THIS 14 ^th DAY OF JULY, 2009.

Burien Parks Department has teamed up again with Underdog Sports to bring B-Town some fun league sports for fall that will allow adults to act like kids again, including coed dodgeball and coed volleyball!

Here are the details:

WHAT: Burien Parks & Underdog Sports – Coed Dodgeball or Coed Volleyball

WHEN: Dodgeball starts Oct. 12th; Volleyball Oct. 13th

WHERE: If there’s decent weather, some play will be outside; otherwise, Volleyball and Dodgeball are available at conveniently located Hazel Valley Elementary school (located at 402 SW 132nd Street, Burien 98146) starting in October.

COST: Dodgeball: Teams: $475 | Individuals: $75 • Volleyball: Teams: $395 | Individuals: $75

INFO: Sign-up online here. Teams, small groups of friends, and individuals are welcome!

Small groups of friends should sign-up as Individuals and use the “Players to be Teamed With” Field on the sign-up form.

Monday Burien Dodgeball:

• 6 Players on the Court (3 women/ 3 men)
• Rosters up to 10 (10 Team t-shirts Included w/ Sign-Up)
• 2 Fast Paced Twenty Minute Matches Each Night
• “No-sting” RhinoSkin Coated Foam Dodgeballs
• 6 week Season plus Playoffs
• 7 – 9 PM Game Start Times
• Starts October 12th ( 10/12, 10/19, 10/26, 11/2, 11/9, 11/16, 11/23)

Teams: $475 | Individuals: $75

Tuesday Burien Indoor Volleyball:

• 6 Players on the Court (3 women/ 3 men)
• Rosters up to 12
• 1 Hour Match Each Night – Play out the full hour
• Coed Format and Net Height
• 6 week Season plus Playoffs
• 6:30 – 9:30 PM Game Start Times
• Starts October 13th (10/13, 10/20, 10/27, 11/3, 11/10, 11/17, 11/24, 12/1)

Teams: $395 | Individuals: $75

All co-ed teams, 6 week seasons for all, plus extended week playoffs for those teams who qualify.

More information at www.underdogburien.com or contact eliza@underdogseattle.com.

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:

Courtesy our friends at Burien Parks comes the following video and photo slideshow showcasing a “monster grinder” chewing up the brush and detritus left over (and not previously eaten by hired goats) in the makeover of Mathison Park.

Here’s what Parks’ Director Michael Lafreniere said:

This is what the goats couldn’t eat!

Mathison Park is being transformed into a real park with trails. Trees and underbrush have been removed, and what the goats couldn’t eat, this monster grinder is chewing up into woodchips. The chips will be used for a natural trail that winds through the park, so very little material will need to be taken off-site, but will be used as part of the improvements.

Click to View Burien Parks’ Photo Slideshow

PREVIOUS COVERAGE:

• Mathison Park Expansion Project To Be Completed This Fall
• VIDEO: Hired Goats Are Eating Up Burien’s Mathison Park

Monday night (Aug. 31st) dozens of residents and concerned citizens held a “Save Our Pool” rally at White Center’s Evergreen Pool, which shutters its doors today (Tues., Sept. 1st) for an unknown length of time as another deal to re-open through Whitewater Aquatics is attempted.

As you may know, Evergreen Pool has been wading though the county’s recent budget crisis, with its funding cut to the point of ceasing operations. Since it is not in the newly-annexed area of southern North Highline, the city of Burien cannot be involved. Therefore it is left in the hands of the county, which has slashed budgets to the point of possibly closing 39 parks, more than a third of which are in the Highline area.

Photographer Michael Brunk was there to capture both visual and audio elements, which he has built into the following “SoundSlideshow”:

Click to Play Michael Brunk’s SoundSlideshow

by Ralph Nichols

It’s déjà vu all over again. Closed parks and pools, on top of program and job cuts, have been proposed by the King County executive to balance next year’s operating budget. But that was then, when Ron Sims was county executive and the 2003 budget was on the table.

Seven years later, Kurt Triplett, Sims’ former chief of staff, is interim county executive. And the second verse is same as the first. (Actually the third verse when last year’s cuts in the sheriff’s and prosecutor’s offices and the court system are included.)

Triplett recently proposed “mothballing” 39 parks in unincorporated urban areas in King County – more than a third of them in the Highline area. But even if all parks on his hit list were to be closed, which some Highline officials and volunteers consider unlikely, five parks and maybe a sixth would remain open.

Those parks are in the “south” part of the North Highline unincorporated area, which residents there decided on Tuesday will be become part of the city of Burien. That transition is expected to occur early next year.

North Highline parks that will be annexed by Burien are:

• Arbor Lake Park, So. 124th Street and 4th Ave So.
• Hazel Valley Park, SW 126th Street and 2nd Ave SW
• Hilltop Park, So. 128th Street and 26th Ave So.
  
• Puget Sound Park, 126th Street SW and 1st Ave So.
• Salmon Creek Park, SW 118th Street and 8th Ave SW

Southern Heights Park, So. 120th Street and 14th Avenue So., also in the annexation area, has been leased and maintained by the county but is owned by Water District 20. There is no immediate indication about the district’s plan for this park.

Triplett said mothballing the parks would reduce general fund expenses by $4.6 million. The county faces a $56.4 million shortfall in projected tax revenues and the executive and council are looking for ways to balance the budget to maintain 2009 service levels.

King County Councilman Dow Constantine of West Seattle, whose district includes North Highline and most of Burien, reacted swiftly with a statement opposing Triplett’s plan. Constantine, who finished second in the August 18 primary election contest for county executive – and will face former KIRO-TV anchor Susan Hutchison in November – currently serves as council chairman.

“I am opposed to Executive Triplett’s proposal to cut all funding for King County parks in the urban unincorporated areas,” Constantine said. “Parks are important to the health and quality of life of everyone in the communities in which King County provides basic services – especially to our young people. To eliminate these parks with the stroke of a pen when economic times get tough would be short-sighted.”

He said “all other possible cuts” – including reductions in administrative staff – and “innovative budget solutions” need to be explored “before we consider the elimination of direct services to King County residents. I have laid out a set of ideas to serve as a starting point for substantive discussions by the King County Council to create a balanced 2010 budget without raising taxes or cutting funding for urban unincorporated parks”

Hutchison could not be reached for comment.

Triplett’s proposal addresses only parks with maintenance financed through the general fund. They total approximately 610 acres and have a total assessed value of $57 million. It would not affect King County’s regional parks and trails, which are funded through the County Parks levy.

“Taxpayers have paid for these parks, and I am open to any proposal from the cities or others to transfer ownership for free,” said Triplett. “As part of the effort to encourage annexations, the state has given these cities tax options the county does not have.”

The 39 targeted parks will remain open for use but will not be maintained. In December, if this plan goes into effect, crews will fence playground equipment, lock and secure restrooms, post signs and lock gates in the closed parks.

Triplett said his priority is to shield public health and criminal justice services as much as possible but that all county departments will see budget cuts in 2010.

The other parks in the general Highline area on Triplett’s mothball list are:

• Duwamish (River) Park – Site 1
• Evergreen Athletic Field (and Evergreen Pool), 606 SW 116 Street
• Hamm Creek Natural Area
• Lakewood Park, 11050 10th Ave SW
• North Shorewood Park, SW 102nd Street and 24th Ave SW
• Sunset Playfield, So. 136th Street and 18th Ave So.
• White Center Heights Park, SW 102nd Street and 7th Ave SW
• White Center Pond Natural Area, SW 102nd Street and 12th Ave SW

So…what do YOU think about the county closing so many parks in our area? Please take our poll, or Comment below…

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BTB Contributor Jim Branson sends us word that on Saturday, Aug. 22nd, at 2pm, there will be a free guided tour of Burien’s Eagle Landing Park, sponsored by the Washington Native Plant Society.

With any luck, the fledgling eagles (as seen in these rare videos) will be testing their wings in the area, as they have been for the past two weeks.

You can also learn about over 80 species of native plants in the park, the local geology and history of the land, as well as how fish and eagles improve the health of the forest.

The tour group will meet at 2pm at the kiosk at the parking lot, and the tour might take about an hour, depending on how many people show up and how many questions they have.

Bring a bottle of water, for when you get thirsty after climbing the stairs, and perhaps a pair of binoculars for the eagles.

Also please keep in mind there are no restrooms at the park, but Lake Burien School Park, five blocks away, has a restroom.

The tour will proceed, rain or shine, but the forecast is for perfect weather.

According to the Eagle Landing Park website:

Eagle Landing Park is a small six-acre park, in a quiet, residential Burien neighborhood. It opened on June 15th, 2005, and it is located at the west end of SW 149th Street, where it meets 25th Ave SW. The walk from the parking lot to the beach is about a quarter of a mile, dropping 275 feet in elevation.

The goal of the park is to provide visitors with an intimate experience of nature close to an urban center. Instead of driving for an hour to feel at home in the woods, you can have this experience within walking distance of City Hall. The park feels much larger than it is (it’s roughly the same size as Lake Burien School Park) because the trees screen out the surrounding homes and provide the illusion of endless forest.

Adding to the impression of untamed wilderness are the screams of the eagles, who have been nesting in a tree in the middle of the park since 1989. The park is home to over fifty species of native plants, and volunteers are working to remove invasive plants such as ivy and reintroduce more species of native plants. Visitors have seen woodpeckers, hawks, raccoons, otters and foxes, and you may see these creatures if you keep your dog on a leash and walk quietly along the trail.

Eagle Landing Park is an escape from hectic urban living, but like the flowers pictured above, it is a fragile beauty dependent on the good will of visitors to remain unspoiled.

The City of Burien announced that the Mathison Park expansion project, which will include an accessible pathway extending the length of the park from north to south, along with trail viewpoints and interpretive signs, new playground and swings as well as additional benches and picnic tables, is scheduled to be completed sometime in late fall.

An interesting aspect of the park development will be the planting of native vegetation, along with interpretive signage identifying these plant species.

Another interesting part of this project was that the city contracted with a company to bring in around 100 hungry goats in February, when they ate up blackberry bushes, ivy and other invasive plants (watch the video we did on the goats here).

The five-acre park, which is located at 533 S 146th Street, officially opened and was dedicated on September 15, 2006.

Most of the land was donated to the City of Burien by Ted Mathison in 1999.

Contractor W. Sundstrom, contractor for the Town Square Park project, was awarded the bid to do the work.

(Photo courtesy Burien Parks)

Michael Lafreniere, Director of Burien Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services reported Tuesday (July 14th) that three out of four of the “plinth” sculptures installed in Burien’s new Town Square Park just last month were vandalized and damaged over this past weekend.

These are the smaller, more whimsical metallic sculptures that are scattered around the park and mounted on cement pedestals.

Below are before and after photos:

BEFORE (“Hikers“):

AFTER:

BEFORE (“Bike“):

AFTER:

Elements of the sculptures appear to have been broken or sawed off.

The design, fabrication and installation of the sculptures had cost $30,000.

Burien Parks is asking for the public’s assistance in identifying the persons responsible for this crime, and cash rewards of up to $1,000 are paid for information leading to an arrest.

Anyone with information on this crime is asked to call Crime Stoppers immediately at (206) 343-2020 or toll free at 1-800-CRIME-13 and give the tip to police without giving his/her name.

This is the second act of vandalism in a Burien park within the last two weeks – as we reported previously, on June 28th vandals tagged the brand new picnic shelter at Seahurst Park.

Click to View Gregory Rehmke’s Photo Slideshow

Some of the lowest tides of the year will hit the beaches of Burien this week (as witnessed in the slideshow from Monday’s -3.9 above by BTB Contributing Photographer Gregory Rehmke), including a -4.1 at 11:51am Tuesday (June 23rd).

If you do venture down into the low tide zone, remember the hiking phrase “take only pictures, leave only footprints,” and please remember to not pick up or touch any of the exposed critters – just look at them, take lots of macro pictures (and send them to us), but don’t pick anything up. The intertidal zone is most likely a tough place to live, due to the daily fluctuations of exposure to water and then air.

But then again, despite our ability to re-grow a severed limb, we’re not a Seastar.

Here are the tides for this week through Sunday, June 28th:

TUESDAY, JUNE 23rd:

High 4:31 AM 11.5
Low 11:51 AM -4.1
High 7:33 PM 12.4

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24th:

Low 12:45 AM 7.6
High 5:27 AM 11.3
Low 12:40 PM -3.9
High 8:14 PM 12.6

THURSDAY, JUNE 25th:

Low 1:41 AM 6.9
High 6:26 AM 10.8
Low 1:28 PM -3.2
High 8:55 PM 12.8

FRIDAY, JUNE 26th:

Low 2:38 AM 6.0
High 7:30 AM 10.1
Low 2:16 PM -2.0
High 9:34 PM 12.8

SATURDAY, JUNE 27th:

Low 3:38 AM 4.9
High 8:39 AM 9.3
Low 3:05 PM -0.4
High 10:13 PM 12.6

SUNDAY, JUNE 28th:

Low 4:39 AM 3.7
High 9:56 AM 8.5
Low 3:55 PM 1.5
High 10:52 PM 12.4

Monday April 27th saw one of the lowest tides so far this year, a -2.7 at 1:11pm, and Photographer Michael Brunk was on the scene at Burien’s Seahurst Park, where lots of normally-unseen Burien residents were exposed:

Click to View Slideshow

If you’re interested in meeting more of your normally-unseen neighbors during another minus tide, mark your calendars for:

• A -2.7 tomorrow (Tuesday, April 28th) at 1:58pm
• A -3.65 on Sunday, May 26th at 12:53pm
• The lowest tide of the year will be a -3.91 on Tuesday, June 23rd at 11:52am

by Jack Mayne

A small group of residents are continuing their efforts to have the city of Burien purchase for a public park a recently rezoned portion of the Ruth Dykeman Children’s Center property on Lake Burien.

The area was rezoned last December, so the Dykeman Center can sell it to improve its revenue structure during the current economic downturn. When approached by the group calling itself the Committee to Free Lake Burien, Dykeman’s CEO said the center would not sell the land for a park.

Lake Burien is well known to long-term residents of the city but newer residents are likely to ask, “There is a lake in Burien?” That is because the lake is completely surrounded by private homes with no public access to it.

Under federal law, all lake shores the size of Lake Burien are considered public, but the sticking point is getting to the lake across private property.

The rezoned land, apparently for sale at some time in the future, would not include public access to the lake, which is vehemently opposed by owners of the property surrounding Lake Burien,

A flier by area resident Lee Moyer says the property should be purchased as a lake front park.

“This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the City of Burien to gain a park on Lake Burien for the benefit of all the citizens of Burien,” said Moyer. “It will add to the value of the residences in the area, the Town Center and the businesses in Olde Burien. It is a difficult time financially, but with dedicated money available and a depressed real estate market, it is also a bargain for the City of Burien.”

He suggests that there may be money available from King County park bond funds and possibly other sources, despite the financial crisis.

Emelie McNett lives in a blue-collar area of North Burien and has been a resident of Burien for 35 years, native plant steward, watershed steward, former Burien Park Board member and current member of the Shoreline Advisory Committee.

“I am particularly interested using the rezoned Ruth Dykeman property as a Burien Park,” she says. “Many low income Burien residents live less than a mile from the water but are denied access because of the barrier of private property. A pocket park on Lake Burien would help mitigate this lack of access.”

The city just is not interested at all.

“We are not interested,” said City Manager Mike Martin. “We have not discussed it. We have no money.”

So, what do you think? Please answer our Poll below:

[Sunrise & Rainbow Photos courtesy Gregory Rehmke]

Do you have an opinion on the proposed changes to the seawall on the north end of Seahurst Park?

If so, your chance to speak up will be at 6pm on Wednesday, April 1st, during a city public meetig to take citizen comments.

As part of the City’s long-range master plan for the park, it has been evaluating possible options for the removal of the park’s north seawall.

Anchor Environmental, which previously completed the park’s master plan, is conducting the feasibility study process, and here are some important elements to consider:

• The seawall was installed and constructed by King County in 1972.
• The park itself was purchased in the early 60s and managed by King County until 1993.
• Since 1972, when the seawall was built, much has been learned about shoreline and habitat protection. In 2002 Burien adopted the Seahurst Park Master Plan which called for over $11 million in renovation and restoration to return the park to its originally intended use, and to reverse environmental degradation.
• With state, federal and local funding, the City began removing the south seawall and grading the shoreline to improve a key migratory corridor for juvenile Chinook salmon.
• In December of 2008 the first phase was completed, including removal of the south seawall, beach restoration and marine riparian plantings. Additional work focused on replacement of the decades-old restrooms, new trails, and new picnic areas as well as repairs to the south picnic shelter.
• More info on the seawall at this website.

The public meeting will review the site assessments and recommendations for the north end of Seahurst Park prepared by the City’s consultants.

The meeting will be held at Burien Community Center, located at 425 SW 144th Street in Burien.

For information regarding this meeting and the feasibility study, contact Steve Roemer, Park Development and Operations Manager, at (206) 248-5513.

A big pile of Ivy pulled by Pat Haugen and Ted Daley.

As Spring springs into our midst, a young man’s (and woman’s) fancy turns of course to…gardening.

Weeding.

Pruning.

And epecially, as the kids say, “getting the ivy out!”

So what better way to sate your newly-sprouted spring desires than to attend a Shorewood Park Work Party this Saturday, March 21st, from 10an to Noon?

This work party is a collaboration between the City of Burien’s Adopt-A-Park project and Shorewood-On-The-Sound Community Club (SOTSCC), and notice comes to us courtesy Jean Spohn, a Director of SOTSCC, as well as member of the Burien Parks and Recreation Board and the initiator of the SOTSCC’s ‘Adopt a Park’ program.

Here’s more info from Jean:

Work parties in Shorewood Park continue in 2009 from 10:00 AM to Noon on the third Saturday of every month. Please join us! We have many tasks, great and small! January’s volunteer force boasted 11 members – some pulled ivy from an area graced by two Noble Fir trees planted by Fred Henzi 20 years ago, and others planted Coastal Strawberry plants which are a wonderful native groundcover.

In February, volunteers placed 25 Sword Ferns along our trail and then removed many small English Holly trees and lots of English Ivy. Seahurst Park has been adopted. Work parties are held the 4th Saturday of each month.

At this party, the focus will be on everyone’s favorite invasive plant – ivy.

You might wonder – Why is English ivy a problem? English ivy is a woody, climbing vine that has been used extensively in the Pacific Northwest. Ivy used to be found in roadside plantings, on steep banks, as ornamental decoration and climbing on buildings, fences and other vertical surfaces. But English ivy is not native to the United States and has no natural predators or pests to keep it in check. It easily escapes from planting areas and invades natural areas, parks and urban forests. It creates “Ivy Deserts” – areas so dominated by ivy that no other vegetation survives. Ivy affects trees negatively, especially when it climbs into the canopy. By adding weight to limbs and reducing air flow around the tree’s trunk, ivy makes a tree more susceptible to canopy failure, wind stress and disease. It can also strangle trees around their base and reduce the flow of nutrients up and down the tree.

English ivy does not provide a significant food for native wildlife, but does provide habitat for rats. And banks covered with ivy are prone to landslide.

What can you do? Do not plant ivy. Remove ivy, especially from vertical surfaces where it seeds and is spread further by birds. Remove ivy from your yard. Participate in a Shorewood Park work party.

Please bring pruners and gloves if you have them. Shorewood is located at 28th Avenue SW and SW 118th Street (follow Ambaum to 116th Street, head 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 – see map below). The group may be working in the lower half of the park so follow the short trail around.

For more information, check:

• http://seahurstpark.org/volunteer.html#about
• http://shorewoodonthesound.org/adoptpark.php
  

View Larger Map

Are you a fan of the Normandy Park Cove, even though you’re not necessarily an owner of an “A Lot”?

This Saturday, March 14th, is your first opportunity of 2009 to show your love by volunteering for the first Stewards of the Cove work party.

It starts at 9am and goes until Noon, with various activities to care for the area along Miller/Walker Creeks where they meet the Sound in Normandy Park.

Sign up with Tony Cassarino: 206-246-9941.

More info from the Normandy Park Community Club website:

Stewards of the Cove are needed to preserve and protect Miller and Walker Creeks and the restoration work accomplished by the Stream Team in 2004. This involves the removal of invasive plants, caring for new native plants for the first year, protecting the salmon spawning areas, protecting streamside vegetation and maintaining water quality.

We can all be Stewards of the Cove on the 2nd Saturday of each month. Join your neighbors and together enjoy the natural wonder of the Cove. Stay for as long as you can (one hour of stewardship per month per household is a lot of tender loving care for the Cove).

The most recent work by the Stewards of the Cove has been the Stream & Wetlands Restoration Project.

Click here for details and pictures.

Why Good Stewardship Matters
Whether you live near or far from Miller and Walker Creeks, good stewardship of our land and water carries multiple benefits:

• Healthier home and yard for children and pets
• Cleaner water in our streams and at Puget Sound beaches
• Less flooding and erosion
• Healthy urban forests and green spaces

by Gina Bourdage

And The Award Goes To…

Each year the City of Burien takes nominations for outstanding efforts from extraordinary community members that are making a significant and positive difference in our community.

For 2009 the winners are nothing short of remarkable people we had the pleasure of speaking with, including the 2009 Environmental Leader Kevin Alexander.

“I think it’s because I have the time to work with different projects.” Said Kevin Alexander when asked why he though he received the nomination. “It’s good exercise and it makes me feel good.”

If you have the privilege to spend time with Mr. Alexander, you will see that it takes a lot more than free time to tackle the projects he has underway. While he welcomes community volunteers, Kevin spends a lot of his time taking care of the parks and beaches by removing invasive plants such as ivy from trees.

“Ivy can add around 2,000 pound of weight to a tree if not kept under control. In a heavy rain or wind storm some of those trees don’t stand a chance with all of that extra weight.” Said Alexander.

Working with the city to bring green methods of removing these plants, Kevin also assists in the management of 100 goats that are chowing down on plants that pose as a threat to native species.

“The City of Burien has been great in assisting, providing tools and support. The Parks Department has a limited budget but they do what they can with what they have.” Said Alexander.

Mr. Alexander has strong hopes for the building of the educational building plans for Seahurst Park. The Environmental Science Center will provide education to the public about our diverse marine life. If you would like to learn more about the projects in progress, to volunteer or learn more about our environment, visit www.seahurstpark.org. Puget Sound residents can also make efforts to keep water clean and request a test kit for their neighborhood at www.soundcitizen.org . Events such as educational moonlight beach walks, area clean up efforts and salmon restoration information available at these sites.

Kevin Alexander, and a long list of volunteers, hope not only to stop the contamination and degradation of our parks and wetlands, but to see actual improvements so that we can enjoy them for generations to come.

Here’s what the City of Burien had to say about Mr. Alexander:

Instrumental in acquiring the necessary Army Corps of Engineer permitting, allowing the removal of sediment from a lower detention pond in the Seahurst Park.

This work was critical to support the salmon hatchery program managed by the Highline School District Marine Technology Program, as it removed accumulated sediments deposited within the salmon rearing pond.

Removing the sediment provided the salmon access to their original watershed, which allowed for egg collection and future hatchery release.

Spends considerable time removing invasive plants with much of his focus spent on tackling invasive Holly.

His webmaster skills have provided vivid images and lots of useful information to countless, long distance visitors at www.seahurstpark.org.  Here you can see pictures of Seahurst Park, read about the park’s history, get involved in volunteer opportunities, or take advantage of the links to a variety of community resources.

Founding member of the organization Sustainable Burien.  The organization’s goal is to involve residents and businesses in the process of creating a sustainable local community by sharing their ideas, passions, knowledge and talents.  For information on this group please visit (yes, again Kevin) www.sustainableburien.org.

And here’s a video showing some of the fruits of his efforts for the restoration of Seahurst Park:

You can meet Mr. Alexander in person (along with the other three award winners) at the City of Burien and Discover Burien’s Annual Awards Dinner/Auction, which takes place Friday, March 6th at Karuna Yoga Studios in Olde Burien.

Cost is $25 per person.

For more information call Burien City Hall at (206) 241-4647 or Discover Burien at (206) 433-2882.

The City of Burien is looking for Vendors and Entertainers for its 2009 Strawberry Festival, which will be Saturday June 20th and Sunday, June 21st at the Burien Community Center.

Deadlines are:

• Entertainer: March 15th
• Vendors: April 17th
  

Here are the details, courtesy Gina Kallman, Cultural Arts Supervisor at Burien Parks:

“Expect the unexpected at the Burien Strawberry & Arts Festival!”

• Strolling Surprises
• Hot Music and Entertainment
• Kids Hands-On Area
• Inflatables
• Skateboard Competition
• 5K Run
• A great Selection of Food and Snacks
• Hot New Arts, Craft and Import Vendors

2009 APPLICATIONS
Click on the category you want to apply to for a PDF application:

• Entertainer
• Food Vendor
• Arts, Crafts, Gift Food or Import Vendor
• Non-profit Information Vendor (Highline Area Non-profit or services Burien residents)
• Fresh Produce or Flowers Vendor
• Organic & Sustainable Vendor
• Activity Vendor (Henna Art, Face Painting, etc)

Or go to http://www.burienwa.gov/index.asp?NID=773

The City is also looking for Sponsors for the Strawberry & Art Festival – for information please contact Casey Stanley at (206) 988-3700.

We volunteered during the lunch session of Friday’s annual “Empty Bowls” fundraiser for the Highline Area Food Bank, and just couldn’t resist shooting the following video:

If it’s before 8pm Friday Jan. 30th, you still have time to get a dang fine soup meal for just $10, which includes an original artist-made bowl you get to pick out yourself – just get up to the Moshier Art Center ASAP and help your hungry neighbors!

View Larger Map

Saturday afternoon saw chilly temps but warm hearts set aglow by numerous innovative and often fiery sculptures, art pieces and artists at the grand opening of Burien’s Interim Art Space (B/ IAS) at Burien Town Square. Slideshow photos by Maureen Hoffmann and Scott Schaefer.

The celebration consisted of numerous elements imported from The Burning Man Festival (with the major element of course being fire), local dignitaries, artists, DJs, dancers, residents, several local firefighters (on hand just in case) and, did we mention…fire?

Lots of fire.

The day was basically our own “Burien Man Festival,” with firewood-stoked intricately-carved cauldrons (used to keep attendees warm), a computer-controlled “Fire Pod” sculpture that shot fire out to techno music (with dramatic sudden bursts of propane-powered flame), numerous smaller pieces, and of course the centerpiece sculpture “The Passage,” whose co-creator, Dan Das Mann, was on hand.

The art will remain on the site until the end of the year, and you can bet that it will most certainly light up numerous times for upcoming celebrations. B/ IAS is located on SW 150th near 5th Ave SW, almost directly across the street from Staples.

UPDATE 1/25/09: Here are some more excellent photos of the event, taken by Maureen Hoffmann:

Fire drips from the hand of the “Mother” figure into the hand of the “Daughter” in “The Passage” sculpture.

Closeup detail shows lit kerosene drippinginto  the “Daughter’s” hand.

Even the dancers heated things up with fire.

Closeup detail of the intricately carved scenes and messages in a fire cauldron, which was stoked with wood.

We’ll be posting more video and photos soon, and if you have any pics you’d like to share, please email us or upload them to our Flickr Group.

More info, including how you can take part, available at the Burien Interim Art Space (B/ IAS) website.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE:

• VIDEO: Time Lapse Of Thursday’s “The Passage” Installation
• Sculptures Installed At Interim Art Space For Sat. Unveiling
• PHOTOS: “The Passage” Makes Safe Passage To Burien
• Daily Journal Of Commerce Digs Burien’s Interim Art Space
• Ground Broken For Town Square Sculpture “The Passage”
• UPDATE:”The Passage” Installation Postponed To Jan. 24th
• VIDEO:Impressive Sculpture Coming To Burien Town Square

Seahurst Park is having a Moonlit Beach walk this Saturday, Jan. 10th from 7:30pm to 9:30pm. There is no charge, but it will be cold so participants are asked to bundle up, bring a bright flashlight with good batteries, wading boots, warm hat & dry gloves.

Naturalists will be on the beach during the full moon at low tide to share information and guide walks.

Here’s a blurb from the Seahurst Environmental Science Center website:

Imagine you’re on the shoreline at a lovely low tide.

Rocks that are covered all year lie exposed to view while the sea animals remain happily cold and wet in the dark.

All around you, people with flashlights are intently studying the amazing and  abundant sea life as local naturalists help you discover the wonders of your Puget Sound shoreline.

For more information contact Barb or Darrell Williams at (206) 901-1964.

Tonight is the night to pop, lock and break (or whatever the kids call it these days) to some serious B-Town beats at a Breakdancing Competition called the “Battle of Burien.”

The fun starts at 7pm and goes until around 11pm in the Burien Community Center auditorium, located at 425 SW 144th Street.

Cost is $5, and all dancers are welcome to watch or compete in a variety of battles to win prizes.

Luke will be the DJ and Amanda’s teen council will be helping out.

A public meeting will be held at 7 p.m. on Thursday, November 6, 2008, to take citizen comment regarding proposed changes to the seawall on the north end of Seahurst Park.

As part of the City’s long-range master plan for the park, it is examining the feasibility and possible options for the removal of the park’s north seawall.

Anchor Environmental, which previously completed the park’s master plan, is conducting the feasibility study process.

The seawall was installed and constructed by King County in 1972 The park itself was purchased in the early 60s and managed by King County until 1993. Since 1972, when the seawall was built, much has been learned about shoreline and habitat protection. In 2002 Burien adopted the Seahurst Park Master Plan which called for over $11 million in renovation and restoration to return the park to its originally intended use, and to reverse environmental degradation.

With state, federal and local funding, the City began removing the south seawall and grading the shoreline to improve a key migratory corridor for juvenile Chinook salmon. As of 2006, the first phase was nearly completed, including removal of the south seawall, beach restoration and marine riparian plantings. Additional work this past year has focused on replacement of the decades-old restrooms, new trails, and new picnic areas as well as repairs to the south picnic shelter.

The public meeting will review the site analysis, as well as preliminary assessments and recommendations prepared by the City’s consultants. The meeting will be held at Burien Community Center, located at 425 SW 144th Street in Burien.

City staff and consultants will meet with the public again in January to further review and take comment on draft plans for the seawall removal project, the shoreline alternatives, the upland alternatives, cost estimates, and other considerations.

For information regarding this meeting and the feasibility study, contact Steve Roemer, park development and operations manager, at (206) 248-5513.

“The City wants the final plan for the north seawall area to serve the needs of the park’s many users while also protecting and enhancing the park as an environmental asset,” Roemer said

Sustainable Burien is having its next meeting this Sunday Oct. 26th at the Burien Library, from 2:30-4:30pm (with doors opening at 2pm).

From their website:

Sustainable Burien is a grassroots group of people exploring, communicating and demonstrating ways of meeting the needs of the present without compromising the resources of the future.

For more information, go to: http://www.sustainableburien.org.

The monthly Shorewood Park gardening/cleanup event is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 18th, from 10 am-12 pm.

No need to RSVP on this one – please just show up if you’re interested, and bring your trusty pruners and gloves if you have them.

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 – map below).

The group may be working in the lower half of the park so follow the short trail around.

View Larger Map