North shore of Idylwood Park with tables (redeveloped). The gravel trail goes to the north shore and it's not ADA approved. (This post has six comments).
OPINION: I posted this story October 11 but delisted it for the "right moment". Last night during a budget session with Council, the Parks and Trails Director Craig Larsen requested a few thousand dollars to re-invest in the Idylwood Park "beach renovation". Several years ago the department cleared *riparian vegetation from the northern boat launch beach area and creek mouth to make room for new picnic tables. I'm not sure if this redevelopment project went through meaningful public review. Now Mr. Larsen wants to improve access to the area.
When queried by Council if the Parks Commissioners had a say in this land use redevelopment project Mr. Larsen agreed the commissioners and voted unanimously to re-invest and improve beach access. (I'm still looking for this review and decision in the Parks Commission minutes.)
I'm glad Parks wants to improve access to the northern beach. The trail should be upgraded to meet city and federal standards. Right now a loose-gravel trail runs down to the northern beach. This trail doesn't meet city standards for strollers and bicycles. It isn't likely the trail meets federal ADA standards since the beach was redeveloped over a year ago. City Parks harps on the importance of black-topped ADA & bicycle approved trails because of funding and convenience. In fact, 12 foot black-top trails are standard for most any Redmond trails connected to arterioles. They are actually "service roads" and incongruous with most park settings.
I've been trying hard to encourage Parks to build less invasive, more aesthetic, more pervious ADA approved crushed gravel trails. But Parks comprehesive plan is 4.5 years old so the commissioners have no alternatives. 12-foot black-top service roads would not be "better" at Idylwood. They'd be incompatible. Look a the gravel trail going down to Idylwood park and try to envision black-top there. For comparison, look at this photo (left) of the "trail" next to Bear Creek behind Safeway. What do you think? Previous, compact crushed gravel trails (right picture) are eco- 
friendly, easy to maintain, less invasive and can be designed to handle ADA wheelchairs, road bikes and stroller traffic. Environseal website describes one of many companies in the business.
If you like the concept of soft surface trails send your comments to: Council Parks Chair Hank Myers or Hank Margeson at council@redmond.gov. The following parties would also be interested in your comments: ParksAndTrailsCommission@redmond.gov - composed of citizen volunteers appointed by the mayor.- meet 1st Thursday of the month. PED-BIKE Citizen's Advisory Committee a small group of citizens who like to bicycle. Tell them how your feel about our trails.
* riparian vegetation is important for salmon habitat but there are no salmon in the creek. Word has it Fish & Wildlife tried to bring them back by planted eggs in the creek beds and restoring the riparian creek corridor. The salmon never survived.
CC: Parks Director Larsen, Parks & Trails Commission, Mayor, Council
An email from Councilman Richard Cole on 11/17
ReplyDeleteBob,
"I am responding to your message on behalf of the Council as the Ombudsman.
Thanks again for continuing to monitor our deliberations. You are correct that Mr. Larsen has a proposal to update and renovate Idlewood Park in his offer to the Council. If the funding is approved, the money to work on this project will be budgeted for spending in 2013 and 2014. Before the project would move forward, the staff and the Park and Trails Committee would review and identify the needs at Idlewood at that time. After that, we would probably hire a consultant to design the project. There would be opportunities during this process for public input. After that, the contract would come before the Council and there would be another opportunity for the public to comment before the contract would be approved."
Richard Cole
Redmond City Council Ombudsman
It sounds like the city isn't too concerned about compliance to ADA regulations, in this case. Perhaps, redevelopment of the Idlewood beach is looked upon as a renovation; thus, the gravel trail was grandfathered? It sounds like the city has the public process nailed down for this particular project now. Though, if staff decides to hold "community meetings" for Idlewood, full discloser of the Parks land use development plans should be thorougly explained to the community during staff's opening presentation.
ReplyDeleteAs I recall, such was not the case for the East Corridor Master Plan Program. In the first (of three} community meetings for the Eastern Park Corridor project staff failed to discuss their blacktop trail decision, the grants, trail material options, trail maintenance costs, and pricing plans for different options. Up front, transparent disclosure of staff's committment to black-top trails would have laid the groundwork for an honest and open community conversation.
Again, please try to be more up front with the public during community meetings for parks land use projects. Transparency is appreciated and makes a big difference in arriving at the best workable solutions for all.
Thank you,
Bob
In response to Mr. Richard Cole, an Idlywood Park Opportunity Plan was commissioned in 2004 to the J.T. Atkins Company with Richard VanDeMark Landscape Architect from Adolfson and Associates, Inc. The cost of this commissioned expenditure is unknown to me. This plan was prepared with the City of Redmon Park Board and presented, in print in June 2004 to the Park Board. I have a hard copy of it. I do not know if they are following this Landscape plan or not. Perhaps you could obtain a copy of this document, as I did, from the City Of Redmond and look at it too see what may lie in the future for Idlywood Park.
ReplyDeleteJan Yeo
Hi Jan -
ReplyDeleteThanks for commenting. Your information helps to piece together one of the puzzles. I don't know if you are a citizen, consultant, staff or whomever, but as far as I can tell the redevelopment work was without a formal public process. This work was not a renovation. It was a redevelopment of what used to be a boat launch area. It's great the Park Board drew up an Opportunity Plan. Unfortunatly, it doesn't appear the plan was formally reviewed by the Public. I remember Parks Director Larsen alluding to it at a Redmond Historical meeting over a year ago. Mr. Cole says a review process will occur. This review will be four years after the Opportunity Plan and the beach has already been redeveloped. Unfortunatley Parks staff or the commission has never responded to my email to bring clarification to how this project was laid out. This is an example of why I'm concerned about lack of transparency in our Parks Dept.
Thank you again for sharing and commenting on this matter. Bob
I am a citizen of Redmond, living in the Viewpoint Neighborhood. Viewpoint Neighborhood is currently in the process of being reviewed by the Viewpoint Citizens Advisory Committee. I was given a copy of the Idlywood Oppotunity Plan when I made an inquiry as to what was planned for Idlywood Park which lies in the Viewpoint Neighborhood city defined neighborhood boundaries. Again, I am uncertain if they are following this previously commissioned park plan. Having lived in the city of Redmond for the past 17 years, I have learned that those citizens which are interested in a particular area, such as the parks commission, must make the effort to go to the meetings if they are not televised. The Citizens Advisory Committees are not televised and those of us interested in finding out what is being presented and discussed must attend the meetings held in the Trestle Room on the 1st floor of Redmond City Hall. These meetings are open to all who come. A public comment period occurrs at the beginning of each meeting. While I would prefer to see the legislative Viewpoint Citizens Advisory Committee meetings televised live, and taped, they are not.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comments about the value of RCTV for citizens in learning about city neighborhood projects and participating in them. I hope the Mayor will fullfill our hopes for friendly access to commissioner and advisory meetings. RCTV and City Hall chambers are a resource the Administration has to it means and it's up to them to decide to what extent it's potential is tapped towards the goal of achieving the best possible outcome for our projects.
ReplyDeleteI participated on the flood hazard citizen advisory committee. It wasn't held where the BIKE-PED advisory committee meets -- that you mentioned. It wasn't even advertized on RCTV. I invited a friend but had to ask if it was okay.
I think govermnent grossly undervalues the potential RCTV has as an asset of commissions for reaching out to our neighborhoods and engaging our government to achieve better outcomes.
Departments with 80+Million dollar budgets and multi-varied projects, like parks could make very good use or RCTV to inform and engage the public. Redmond emjoys the productivity of a high tech culture yet our commissions and neighborhoods operate withing a '60's framework. Planning and Arts Commissions are the most progressive with media. I think Parks still uses a tape recorder!
Thanks! You really hit my hot button! Bob