Redmond Dog Parks

We walk Zoey to the Hartman Pop-up dog park almost every day.  I really like the evergreen trees there and the shade they give.  It's also fun to watch the school baseball and softball games nearby! 

-Bob & Pam Yoder

Redmond's "Addiction" To Pickle Ball, Nation's Fastest Growing Sport

24 Hour Fitness.Players from all walks of life. Rocket scientist, housekeeper, choral singer, anthropologist, retired fitness instructor and author, mortgage broker, stay-at-home dad, software engineer, passers through, Redmond historian... See the 89 year-old playing with his son?!
 (click picture to enlarge)

                                                        Exercise -  -  Socialize - - Learn

Pickle Ball Basics video.  All ages, body types, and fitness levels. Players willing to share advice. Games are short, lasting about 10 minutes.  Doubles is most common.  Mind  the "kitchen" while "dinking!"  Founded on Bainbridge Island. 

Court Locations and Times:

Old Redmond School House for seniors.  Fun and welcoming group. 3 inside courts.  M,W,Th  9:30 - Noon.  (practice before 9.) Nominal fee.  

Redmond Perrigo Park.  4 outside courts (the way it was made to play.)  "Bangers," Intermediates, Novices, and Families. No fees. Share with 2 tennis courts.  Arrive early to play and practice.  After playing we like to hike the adjacent farmland trail with our dog.  

Redmond Meadows Community Park.  3 outside courts.  Good for families. Courts are rooty.  

Nike Neighborhood Park, 1 outside court, little used.

Senior & Community Center.  Under construction.  2 outside courts.  2-3 inside courts on occasion.  

24 Hour Fitness. One inside court.  9 - 3pm.  7 days a week.  Great for practice!  Membership fee OR health insurance pass. 

Fort Edwards State Park.  Juanta.  6 indoor courts. Medium to high level of play. Adjacent monastery converted to 86-room boutique hotel, fine art, and fancy restaurant. A must! Walk the dog. 

-- Bob Yoder, 2/9/2023

   I've played for 6 months with Pam. Was a very slow learner on the serve and challenged by complicated scoring! 

Residents Invited to Senior & Community Center "Topping Ceremony"

1 - 2 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 3 at the Redmond Senior & Community Center

REDMOND, WA - Redmond’s new community gathering place continues to mark milestones and make great strides in construction. Next week, the community is invited to join the City of Redmond in celebrating the Redmond Senior & Community Center Topping Out Ceremony, as the project team places a beam in the tallest section of the building. The event will take place from 1 - 2 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 3 at the construction site adjacent to Redmond City Hall at 15670 NE 85th St, Redmond, WA 98052.

UPDATED: Council Member David Carson Urges Access & Enhancement to "String of Pearls" Park Properties

CM David Carson

Council Member David Carson says....

"When I joined the Redmond City Council in 2008, I fully expected that park properties along Redmond’s eastern edge (collectively known as the “String of Pearls”) would be, at the very least, made available to Redmond’s citizenry to enjoy since they’ve been in our inventory for now more than 50 years. That unfortunately has not happened, and budgets don’t seem to be getting any easier to afford city-developed projects. Leveraging of our civic pride is a way to do this and involve our residents. It would be a real achievement to make these beautiful properties available to our hiking and recreating public.  

Below, are David's thoughts:

UPDATED OPINION: Redmond's Tree Canopy Is Decreasing

Redmond tree canopy in ~2017

 The tree canopy webpage has been updated to include information on suggested trees, tree selection, planting tips, care, and watering along with volunteer opportunities. 

 Updates to the Redmond Comprehensive Plan, describing the 40% canopy goal, timeline, and key strategies were adopted by City Council on November 17, 2020. 

 The 2021-22 budget included $150,000 for Carbon Footprint Reduction/Tree Canopy Expansion in the biennium. To date, 1.71 acres have been cleared in the Monticello watershed with 1.21 acres planted (540 trees) in the spring of 2021. The remaining .5 acre will be planted in fall/winter 2021-22. Additional plantings are being considered on park properties. 

Two mature Cedars will be removed during King County's sewer line replacement.  Will King County or the City try to repurpose them for salmon habitat? Beavers are gnawing down quite a few alders this year. Will aerial photographs account for these losses?

 In 2021, Public Works has planted 150 trees at Keller/Bear Creek using stormwater funds and over 100 trees will be planted at Smith Woods through Parks/Stormwater funds. 

 In 2020, the following number of trees were planted on City owned land:

o Natural Resources planted 1,240 

o Parks 230 

o Forterra (Green Redmond Partnership) 509 

o Adopt-a-Stream Foundation 840 

o Total trees planted: 2,819 Strategy 

C: Increase Planting on Private Property. 

 City-led Planting: Staff has conducted research on a variety of incentive programs to provide trees or discounts to purchase trees along with estimated costs to manage the program based on current models in use around the region. Opportunities are being evaluated to propose a program in the 2023-24 biennium. 

 The Green Redmond Partnership planted nearly 2,000 plants and engaged 438 volunteers across 17 parks for a total of 1,264 hours of volunteer engagement. As noted above, they planted 509 trees in 6 parks in 2020.  

According to the website, only two Green Redmond planting events were planned for this Fall. According to Zoe of Fortera ,the two October events were "sold out" by September 30, (some exceptions were made for officials). In years past, Green Redmond held multiple events. Not too long ago, Parks Director Hite said one of the limiting factors this year was the cost of trees.  

 Earth Corps has also been a partner on planting and community engagement. 

 Current Tree Canopy Coverage: The most recent analysis in late 2020, shows that Redmond’s 2019 tree canopy coverage is 37.9%, this includes parks within the incorporated City limits but not contiguous city limits. (The Watershed Preserve (800 acres) is counted as canopy?) This represents a decrease of .2% or (24.7) acres from 2017. This amount of loss isn't terribly bad considering our considerable development. It's clear the City is doing what they can to preserve our canopy. The changes in canopy cover occurred within the contiguous city boundary. The tree canopy coverage in the contiguous city boundary is 32.9%, down from 33.2 (24.7 acres).  Does street trees and off-site mitigation with saplings count towards canopy?

 Staff updates tree canopy coverage on a 2-year basis in even years. The data is updated using aerial photographs that are captured in odd-years (2019) and the data is available in even years (2020). The next update would be in 2022.

Source:  Edited Council Committee of the Whole Parks memo, 10/29/2021

Opinion, Bob Yoder

City Of Redmond Outdoor Covid Signs Are Well Done

The City does an excellent job on their Covid signs....professional, easy to understand and in good locations.  The yellow banner is hung at the Hartman Park soccer fields. (The pretty lady is my wife, Pam!)  Perrigo Park also has a field banner.  There were three "Sports Fields Open" sandwich boards surrounding Hartman Park sports field. The "No Gathering" sign is next to the Perrigo Park playground.  The Bike Park has a sign which includes "no gathering." Double click pics to enlarge them.

-- Bob Yoder, 1/18/2021

UPDATED: "10 Minute Communities" Are A Model For Smart Planning

The holistic development of Northgate is similar, in a few ways, to Redmond's hopes of developing and morphing Marymoor Village into a 10-Minute Community (on a much larger scale than  "Proctor." ..scroll.)   Both will have light rail and transit parking.  In the Village, I envision:  Well-designed  mid-rise residential towers built-up through incentive programs to capture affordable housing (60% AMI) and additional parking.  Diverse retail, medical, office, and commercial space with roof gardens, all within a 10 Minute walking distance. Marymoor Park amenities, regional trails and a regional aquatics center all a bike ride away.  Perhaps a downtown core with an arts studio, a Harvey Carter museum, a night club, a recreational business, wide sidewalks for outdoor restaurants, scooters, and rain gardens. Even a school. Though light rail is four years away, the city should come forth with a simple, rough graphic like Northgate's for the community. -     B.Yoder

For your information, below is a recent King County Press Release announcing plans for 232 affordable housing units near the Northgate Light Rail Station.

King County and City of Seattle, along with their partners BRIDGE Housing Corporation and Capitol Hill Housing (CHH) have come to a pre-development agreement to develop land owned by King County Metro into 232 affordable housing units near the future site of the Northgate Link light rail station. All units will be affordable to households earning 60 percent or less of the area median income – in 2019, that’s $66,420 for a family of four. The development will provide a mix of unit sizes including at least 52 two- or three-bedroom units, and 24 units will be reserved for system-connected households. Groundbreaking 2022 Anticipated development agreement and ground lease are expected to be transmitted to council by summer 2020, with ground-breaking to follow in 2022. “Renters shouldn’t have to choose between a home that’s affordable, and one that’s close to work and transit. This project adds hundreds of affordable units next to one of the most significant transit hubs in King County, connecting more people to the greenest way to get around,” said King County Executive Constantine. -- King County Press Release    11/17/2020

Redmond Pool Expected To Re-Open In Fall Of 2020

Redmond, WA – The Redmond Pool is currently in the first phase of essential improvements which include new mechanical and electrical systems, air handling units, boiler systems, roof and windows, and improved circulation. These improvements will result in better air and water quality, energy efficiencies and operational savings. Phase 2 includes locker room and lobby improvements, pool deck re-surfacing and ADA improvements.

Recently contractors discovered a previously unknown condition. The substructure of the pool is compromised; there are areas where concrete has deteriorated leaving aggregate and rusting rebar behind. The damage extends sporadically from approximately 1’ to 5’ off the bottom of the pool’s deep end. This unexpected repair will take approximately three months to correct the substructure and complete the pool lining. To accommodate this unexpected delay, the Redmond Pool will not open in November as previously scheduled and will remain closed to complete both Phase 1 and 2. The pool is expected to re-open in fall of 2020. “This timeline allows us to accelerate Phase 2 to begin in May, ultimately completing the full renovation earlier than expected,” stated Parks Director, Carrie Hite.

Idylwood Park tree restoration was a total success

Idylwood Park restoration/ Photo Yoder

Last year, most of the cottonwoods in Idylwood Park were removed owing to danger from falling limbs.  This Saturday GreenRedmond sponsored a restoration project to restore and enhance the park landscaping.

In this photo, councilmember Hank Myers is in the foreground along with 4 other volunteers. Dr. David Morton is digging in the backgound.  Hank leads on most of the City's environmental projects.  Besides restoration, Hank is an expert and advocate of Redmond salmon and their habitat in Lower Bear Creek. I've heard him present at Redmond Kiwanis and was blown away by his knowledge.

Over 70 trees and 350 shrubs were planted that day by 50 residents, including kiddos. We were blessed with beautiful, sunny weather.  It was so rewarding to watch the toddlers plant.  In the future we will need these little ones to help us battle climate-change.

-- Bob Yoder
    3/17/2019

The qualities, schools and employers of Redmond, WA.

Qualities

"Known for its natural beauty, the city is unique in that residents have access to 34 parks and over 25 miles of trails, but can also reach downtown Seattle in 20 minutes. Redmond also hosts live music, film, theater and a variety of other arts for every taste. Outdoor sculpture can be seen throughout the city. 

The Redmond Arts and Culture Program includes over 100 artworks around the City of Redmond.  Explore the City of Redmond's art collection in a new way. The program currently maintains a public art mobile app for the City's permanently-installed outdoor art collection. The app is called STQRY (pronounced "story") and is available for free on iOS, Android and Windows 8 operating systems."

 -- City website excerpt

###

Various video errors and omissions:  Starbucks isn't headquartered here but their barista's are-a-plenty. Of course, Microsoft is headquartered here. Nintendo, Rocket Research, Digipen and Striker/Physio-Control are headquartered here.  A division of Facebook is planning a move to Willows Road.  Amazon, Expedia and Google in Redmond?  

Schools:  Along with Rockwell El and Einstein El. other Education Hill elementary schools include:  Clara Barton, Redmond Elementary, and Horace Mann.

The City communications department is re-designing their website and some of the text may be out of date, particularly the STQRK app and the number or artworks.  This real estate video is dated.  It's the best one I could find for our community and I hope the City will make one of their own. We are due.

-- Bob Yoder

Video:  Murray Franklin 

Idylwood Park restoration of tree removal areas

Gary Smith teaching restoration at Idylwood Park /
Credit Forterra

In August 2017, two separate large cottonwood tree limb failures occurred at Idylwood Park. The City hired a contractor to remove fourteen hazardous cottonwood trees in October 2018.  Two remaining hazardous trees have been pruned or are currently being evaluated.

Restoration Plantings: Restoration of the Idylwood Park tree removal areas will occur February – March 2019. A community volunteer replanting event will tentatively take place on Saturday, February 9. Volunteers and City staff will plant trees, shrubs, groundcovers...

Source:  Council business meeting, 1/15 memo

Bob Yoder

Fall colors

Fall colors

My wife, Pam, is standing in front of our beautiful Palmataum Japanese maple tree. With great sadness we lost this cherished tree two years ago to severe back-to-back annual droughts.  It thrived on our property for 43 years. Other's in the neighborhoods lost their trees. The City also had to cut down some of their street trees and cottonwoods at Idylwood Park owing to drought.   

Bob Yoder

Low turn-out at weekday Downtown park event

The Downtown Park 

The city hosted a concert series in the Downtown Park that was curated in partnership with KEXP DJ Sharlese Metcalf to highlight local, Pacific Northwest musical talent, including musicians that have ties to Redmond.  My wife and I went to the last concert on Thursday, October 4th.  And guess what?  It wasn't raining and quite a beautiful Fall evening!

Is this the "Redmond Moving Art Center?"

Mayor Marchione said in a press release, this series brings "fresh new music and fun to Downtown Redmond,  It's a great way to spend a Thursday night with friends and family in the community’s new Downtown Park.”

The City announced that "each evening’s concert takes place in the beautiful Redmond Moving Art Center designed by Brooklyn-based artist Janet Zweig."  It was recommended residents "bring your picnic blankets and lawn chairs and enjoy food from one of the many surrounding downtown restaurants." 

Well, even with good weather and fine music this weekday's entertainment in the Downtown Park didn't appear popular.  At 7 pm I counted roughly 24 adults, four dogs, and 6 children. None brought picnic blankets or food.  

As opposed to the Downtown Park Grand Opening, the park was fully exposed and you could see all the concrete and concrete benches that people are talking about.  Mildly put, I was taken aback. The favorite part of our visit was the colorful light art under the pavilion.  It was really cool.

-- Bob Yoder, opinion
 Photos Yoder

Source:  City press release

City saves two mature cottonwoods at Idywood Park

City Park Operations Manger David Tucheck
in Idylwood Park with Cottonwoods

In August 2017, two separate large tree limb failures occurred at Idylwood Park. After the limb failures from drought, a visual tree risk assessment was performed on all trees in high use park areas by a certified arborist on City staff. As a result of the tree risk assessment, thirty (30) large cottonwood trees were identified as needing to be removed.

 March 19, 2018, City staff removed fourteen (14) cottonwood trees.
 March 27, 2018, a formal appeal regarding the project was filed. The tree removal project was put on hold during the appeal process.
 June 1, 2018, the appeal was dismissed by the Hearing Examiner The project was postponed until after Labor Day because of the busy summer beach season.

The City has hired a contractor to remove the remaining fourteen (14) hazardous cottonwood trees. Two (2) of the hazardous will be pruned to reduce risk and will remain. The project is scheduled to resume on October 8, 2018. Restoration of the tree removal areas will occur November 2018 – March 2019.

A community volunteer replanting event will be coordinated by the City. Volunteers and City staff will plant trees, shrubs, groundcovers, and install woody mulch. Replanting quantities include 66 trees, 291 shrubs, and 96 groundcovers.

Source:  Parks and Human Services Council committee memo, 10/2

Bike shares in our neighborhoods and parks?

W

Internet photo

Council reviewed the draft "bike share pilot program" at their last study session.  Staff made the following recommendations for the pilot project.  As I read it:

1)  The total fleet (composed of 2 bike share companies) will initially be 400 bike shares. Council member Margeson said "this is a very conservative number."   A minimum amount of electric-bike shares (e-shares) will be 10%, because as Mr. Margeson says "We have a lot of hills in Redmond."  Council member Hank Myers said this regulation is unneeded.  I agree.

Internet photo

2)  "Bike shares shall not be parked within the 5-foot pedestrian walk zones of a sidewalk." Thus, they won't be allowed to park on our neighborhood sidewalks.   However e-shares can climb our neighborhood hills to all of our city parks and park there.

In all likelihood, we can expect bike shares legally available in our city by late August.  These bike shares will change the look and feel of our city.

If you have any questions or concerns contact info@redmond.gov.

B. Yoder, opinion

Flowering Trillium in Idylwood Beach Park

 White flowering Trillium have emerged at Idylwood Beach Park!  Many are growing all along the south bank of the creek!  Trillium are very fragile and a protected species so please don't touch.  I kind of think of them as wild Easter Lilies.  

 B. Yoder / photo

UPDATED: Cottonwood Controversy at Idylwood Park

Resident posts eagle notices
on city notice board

Thirty Cottonwood trees are scheduled for removal from Idylwood "Regional" Park sometime early this Spring.  The trees are prime perching and foraging habitat for park eagles and are highly valued.

I learned about the city's plans from a Letter to the Editor in the Redmond Reporter.  The city didn't hold a neighborhood meeting despite this being a regional park. Public notice was limited to two sandwich boards in the park and a blurb on the city website. Not good!

I called a phone number on the sandwich board. (The sign announced 30 Cottonwoods would be removed!)  David Tuchek, the Parks Operations Manager (and Parks "risk manager") kindly arranged a park tour.

David Tuchek in front of tree #10
 near Idlylwood Creek bridge

Mr. Tuchek was a city arborist at one time; and during the tour we discussed the following:

1)  The Bald Eagles spend most of their time in the Douglas Firs on the park's west side; there are no inhabited nests in the firs and no nests in the Cottonwoods. 2) Last year a serious summer drought caused the Cottonwoods to suck water into their branches, making them heavy and prone to falling. 3) Dave showed me a color picture of a large branch that fell on a park picnic table cracking it in half and landing on condo property. He noted two weeks later, a limb hit a park-goer sending her to Harborview. 5) Dave explained the 30 trees planned for removal were "target trees" that could hit people. 6) He pointed out the tape surrounding the Cottonwoods, saying falling limbs can "cartwheel" about 30 feet from the tree, 7) A mix of 60 conifer / deciduous replacement trees will be planted.  I recommended deciduous trees on the north side to provide shade from the southern sun. 8) Landmark Cottonwood #10 was growing in two riparian zones (river & lake) through which Kokanee salmon pass.  I noted how the tree was holding the bank. Dave indicated he would save as much of this target tree as possible. Besides mitigating erosion of the creek bank, the Cottonwood cools the water for salmon, and provides perching habitat.  9) The southern forested wetland will be enhanced and restored with replacement trees and shrubs.  The wetland will be fenced off and it's possible part of a Cottonwood can be saved for perching and bio-mass.

It was so kind of Dave to take me on this tour.  A few days later KING 5 reported on the city's plans, residents hired a lawyer requesting "cease and desist," (Read More,) and over 60 showed up at the Council's Audubon annual "Neighborhood Conversations" meeting - most of them emphatically objecting to the project. The final decision will be made by a Hearing Examiner. Yesterday, I took a video for posterity.

B. Yoder

Downtown Redmond Parkscape

Richard Morris at SW corner of the Downtown Park.  (double click picture to enlarge)

look at the vanishing ridge of green trees

Redmond Parks and Recreation Director John Couch

John Couch, 30-year Redmond Park and Recreation Director 

Redmond, WA January 5, 2018 - Ask locals what they treasure about Redmond, and you’re likely to hear parks and trails.

But those recreational spaces didn’t just happen. Fifty years of planning have gone into them -- starting on Jan. 1, 1968, when the city created a Parks and Recreation Department. Within a decade, 16 parks and more than 200 acres had been acquired for public benefit. By 2000, Redmond had 34 city parks and 25 miles of trail.

John Couch, Redmond’s first and longest-serving parks director (1968-2000), will look back on the department’s first decade at the upcoming Redmond Historical Society Speaker Series program on February 10.

Ordinance Prohibits Camping In Parks And Public Spaces, When Overnight Shelters Are Available

Internet photo (not in Redmond)

Consideration of Ordinance No. 2911: An Ordinance Amending Sections 9.33.010 Through 9.33.030 of the Redmond Municipal Code and Adding a New Section 9.33.035 in Order to:

Prohibit Camping and Storage of Personal Property in Parks and in Order to Prohibit Camping and Storage of Personal Property on Other Public Property When Overnight Shelter Space is Available; Authorizing the Police Chief to Adopt Rules and Regulations for Enforcement.

Below is a partial accounting of Council's Janurary 2nd decision-making process in approving the ordinance:

 1)  Mr. Haney, the city attorney advised Council to pass the ordinance to be in compliance with Federal law related to a Boise court case citing 8th Amendment rights.

2)  Council member Anderson moved to amend Ordinance No. 2911 to add the definition “Overnight Shelter” be defined as a public or private shelter, with an available overnight space for one or more individuals.

Anderson's motion was seconded by Council member Fields.  VOTE: Ms. Anderson's motion to amend failed with Council members Anderson and Fields in support (2 – 5).

3)  Mr. Fields asked if the City's municipal campus is an example of public shelter space and someone (staff, attorney, or the mayor) said yes.

4) Mr. Fields recommended a study session before voting on the ordinance.  His concerns were 1) that he and two other council members were new and left out of earlier conversations/decisions and 2)  the ordinance may have serious consequences.  Fields recommendation was denied.  The main motion passed with Council member Fields in opposition (6 – 1).

Activist Albert Rosenthal claims "public shelter space" includes the Mayor's office and City Hall business floors. To read a letter he wrote the Mayor and Council "READ MORE."  He will be addressing Council during Items from the Audience at their next regular meeting, 2/16/2017 7:30 pm. 

B. Yoder, opinion