A quest for "open government" in the Parks Department

Craig Larsen, Director of Parks & Recreation, Trails, Art

OPINION: Several months ago, the Parks commissioners sat nervously in council chambers in front of the full Council, Mayor, Directer Larsen and staff . They had the daunting and uncomfortable task of asking Council for a $40 million park bond! The bond request was quietly denied.

The timing of the commission's request was unusual in that it pre-empted our public "Budget by Priorities" meetings. In addition, the public passed a parks levy only a year ago. It wasn't until the Budget was released a week ago that I discovered the Administration's motive this huge park bond request. They need $37,000,000 to build two Downtown Parks. I'm all for creating a "Great City" but it would have been nice to be included in the Parks & Trails Commission planning process. We, the public did not receive the benefit of transparency and "open government" in this case. The government did not receive the benefit of our input.

Last night, I went to the Parks and Trails Commission meeting. During the weeks of November 10 & 17th the Council will consider a $43,060,000 hike of the 6-year capital budget for Parks. It was interesting the commissioners didn't once mention the park budget. Most of the discussion was about a proposal to change Cleveland Ave. and Redmond Way into 2-way streets .

Director Craig Larsen said a couple of months ago he had been planning to televise 2-3 parks commission meetings per year on RCTV-21. I keep waiting. Mr. Larsen schedules the Arts Commission 3-times per year for RCTV and their budget is tiny compared to the Parks $87,000,000 program. Wouldn't you want to dial in on occaision? Staff recently committed to posting commission meetings without 2-3 month delays. Current commissioner names and titles are being updated on RCTV and current commissioner names are now posted online. Trasparancy may be improving. I ran into Councilman Hank Margeson at the Digital Arts Festival. He had heard the Parks & Trails Commission wouldn't be holding any or their meetings on RCTV-21. I hope Hank heard wrong. The public has asked for transparency over and again; and Mayor Marchione has agreed to the values of Open Government. I'm hopeful and trusting the Administration will someday lift the darkness and move the Parks & Trails commission and public forward.

Your comments on the parks budget are welcome. Email Park Director celarsen@redmond.gov or ParksAndTrailsCommission@redmond.gov.

Footnote:

The Budget breakdown is here

cc: Parks,Trails,Art Director Larsen, Mayor, Council and commissioners

Invasive black-topped service roads form the backbone for our city park trail system. Is there an alternative?

The city plans to install a back-topped asphalt trail through the Leary heron rookery forest

12 foot black-topped road is planned for this new trail by the Leary Avenue heron rookery. Less invasive soft surface trails, as in the small picture on the right, would be more aesthetic and more forgiving of the trees -- especially trees remaining on the trail to control bicycle speeds. Water will be blocked off by impervious black-top, threatening these trees. The three small pictures are of ADA approved trails where narrow bicycle and wheelchair tires can be used. ADA crushed rock trails are pervious to rain, more eco-friendly and less envasive.

Less invasive, eco-friendly, ADA approved trails could be installed by this forest remnant but the city rejects this idea thinking: 1) bicycles, strollers, and wheelchairs need black-top surfaces and 2) grant money is not available. In the two Park's Commission meetings I've attended the Park's department never seriously evaluated the viability of eco-friendly crushed rock trails. Pervious, crushed rock trails will support wheels as narrow as a wheelchair. Several companies specialize in eco-friendly trails - a description of Enviroseal, Inc. trails is found on their Environseal website.

The Parks Dept. has an opportunity to install an ADA eco-friendly trail at Idlewood Park and this rookery, as beta sites. If we don't evaluate these trails soon all of our park trails under development and future park trails requiring a "backbone" will be paved over with asphalt. Is this what we want as Redmond pushes to Go Green?

Lisa Singer, city planner describes the trail route as:

"The trail through the woods will be a connection from the 520 bike trail and the Sammamish River trail northward to the transit center on NE 83rd St. The Northward extension of the bike lane will occur under the next phase of the project, which will build the 161st Ave NE connection. At the south end of 161st and the north end of this woods trail, we are constructing a plaza." Lisa Singer, Project Manager, Bear Creek Pkwy Extention

This trail is an excellent connector for circulating bicycle and pedestrian traffic away from busy downtown; though it is unfortunate 25 trees had to be removed. As you can see from the photo, Parks Dept. scattered a few trees on the trail to slow bicycle speeds and improve aesthetics. Nice touch.

(1) The heron rookery has been inactive with no colonies present for over 3 years. The heron you see in Redmond migrate from Issaquah rookeries to forage for food fish and small mammals. I hope the city will cooperate with Issaquah to protect our source of herons!

Send your comments to any of these city contacts:
Council@redmond.gov (city council)
ParksAndTrailsCommission@redmond.gov
PED-BIKE Citizen's Advisory Committee
Celarsen@redmond.gov (Craig Larsen, Parks & Arts Director)


cc: city council & parks & trails commission.

"Hartman Park Trails" - a city gem unveiled

For years, a select group of Education Hill neighbors have walked their dogs and hiked the network of forested dirt trails surrounding Hartman Park wetlands. Quite a few residents tried to keep this informal park "gem" to themselves. It's a peaceful, quiet, cool, lush forested area and so convenient to the surrounding neighbors. Yes, the trails could get muddy. Other than that, it was a neighborhood paradise.

The Parks Department finally discovered these trails and "our secret". "Hartman Park Trails" are now cedar-chipped and are marked with about 8 trail signs. I don't know what took them so long. My guess is the new joint Parks & Trails Commission is working together better and so took action. It's even remotely possible the recent Black Bear sightings in these woods prompted action. (I feel a little safer hiking the trails now they are "developed" by the city.) The nearby BMX dirt bike course has brought additional traffic near these trails, too.

Anyway, have fun! The trails are easy to access from at least 6-7 trailheads. The trails' "backbone" is Ashford Trail, a.k.a. Perrigo Woods Trail. It's a pervious, crushed gravel trail which mountain bikers sometimes use to "cut across town". The trail starts from the terminus of NE 100 St. near the Mormon Church almost a mile down the hill to Avondale Road. A good scenic resting point is Perrigo Springs (Historical Marker) near the water tower.

Children living in Lookout Ridge and Perrigo Heights can easitly walk to school from Perrigo Woods Trail to RHS and RJH. Any number of the .25 - .50 mile Hartman Park Trails will get them to their classes and homes -- faster and more peacefully than by car! Might even see a Western Red Squirrel or Heron on the way....

The Harman Park Trails can be accessed from the Fields #5 & #6 adjacent the restrooms. They can also me accessed from the neighborhoods bordering 176th Ave. NE. and 172nd Ave. NE.

The Parks Department defines trail users with a "backpacker" and "bicyclist" ICON. Dog walkers are probably welcome. I'm guessing the X-country teams run through here, though I haven't seen any. I've never seen a bicyclist on these curvy, narrow trails. None of the trails are listed "A.D.A. approved.". The cedar chipped trails smell fresh are very nice and may control the mud issue. I don't know who installed the chips.

Comment: I hope the city will use cedar chipped trails for riparian pathways in the Eastern Corridor Parks. I'm glad the city is not black-topping Ashford Trail and pray they won't black-topped on the backbone trails of the planned Eastern Corridor Parks. Black-top "trails" are more like service roads. They are more invasive and unnatural and unbefitting of the rural, riparian parklands of the Eastern Corridor. (Anderson, Conrad Olsen, Perrigo, F-M, Juel parks)

Video Clip: A "sweet spot" amidst construction madness in the North Redmond Neighborhood

Opinion: Below are two 1-minute video clips of a 14 unit, single family home "Mosaic Meadows" development on 116th Street about 1/2 mile west Einstein Elementary school. The project is under construction with about 4 homes built. Actually, what you'll see in the clips are several trails running through partially restored wetlands and stream areas. The "Mosaic Meadows" landowner 'donated' a wetland area to the city to build a community trail connector to Einstein El for use by students and pedestrians. The videos will show you some other possibilities for this land. I think you'll like what city and landowner are doing, especially for Einstein El.
According to the city website this Mosaic Meadows project, is still under permitting review and construction has not started; so I took a hike. Take a quick look at city's dated Development Review Project Report, . City "budgeting by priorities" is still under review but I've heard from several city staff that a new website is in the offing. Our existing site has a few holes in it and the present Administration knows it.

Running with Dogs -- Ashford Trail

Contributed by Richard Morris
Here is how the city of Redmond describes Ashford Trail 1/4 mile: Soft surface equestrian and hiking trail linking Hartman Park with Avondale Road through the Ashford Park development along 180 Ave NE.
Ashford Trail has historical roots. This short trail follows alongside Perrigo Creek, which begins at the top of Education Hill, and ends when it joins Bear Creek. Perrigo Springs, long ago, served as the source of water for Redmond. The pioneer-day Perrigo Farm on top of Education Hill used water from Perrigo Springs.

Naomi Hardy, Redmond Historical Society, contributed this bit of history: "The little Perrigo Springs was purchased by the Redmond Water Department in 1914 and was the first water supply for the newly incorporated town of Redmond. A dam was originally constructed to impound the water for storage, with the transmission main a 4” to 8” wood stave pipe. This site was Redmond’s only water supply until 1927 and served as a major source of supply until 1962. Currently the spring is still there, trickling through a small, forested valley, past the city’s Perrigo Springs Reservoir and makes its way to Bear Creek. There is a wide trail near the spring that goes up Education Hill. Hikers and school kids and the curious use this trail".
Near the reservoir is a commemorative tree and plaque marking this historic water source. You can read more about historic Perrigo Springs on a previous post

Ashford Trail before it was widened and graveled by the City

You can enter the Ashford Trail from Avondale at 180th Ave. This is the entrace to Ashford Park, a condominium community in Redmond. Just drive (or bike) up 180th Ave, until the road ends. There is a water tower (recently renovated by the Water Department) and an old concrete dam across Perrigo Creek. A camera was installed at the top of the water tower to record people who might damage the marker and Corkscrew Willow tree.  See a map of this area.

Richard Morris with Saddie

You can also enter the Ashford Trail from the top of Education Hill where NE100th St ends at 171st Ave NE. The first 1/2 mile walk is flat, then the trail sharply descends to the water tower and becomes 180th Ave NE. If this steep trail looks to difficult, you can cross over Perrigo Creek and enter the "back side" of Hartman Park. This short connector trail comes out on 176th Ave NE (King County Swimming pool is located at the end of this street).

If you are adventurous, and like a hiking challenge, walk down Avondale (south towards Redmond Town Center), until you reach NE 88th PL . Go the end of the road, and you will find a trail leading up Education Hill. You can climb back up the hill (very steep) and the trail comes out at Nike Park. My companion dog, Sadie, is good at scrambling up the steep slope, but it is slow climb for me to find my footing on the loose forest soil.
Richard Morris, co-author, Education Hill neighborhood

A Walk in the Park -- Marymoor Part 2

I consider Marymoor Park as the center piece of Redmond. Did you know the Redmond Historical Society was once located in an office at Marymoor Park, and provided tours of the Historic Willowmoor Farm? Clise Mansion sits at the heart of the historic Willowmoor Farm in Marymoor Park. The newly renovated East Garden features a gazebo for outdoor ceremonies, perennial beds, and flowering trellises. The East Garden is enclosed and offers privacy for all of your events. This is great spot for an outdoor wedding.

When Dudley Carter was 96 years old he became the first artist-in-residence of the King County Parks and Recreation Department. [Seattle PI article] Dudley Carter, Redmond's most famous artist, had a home at 7747 159th Place Northeast in Redmond. Located in Slough Park, the house was named "Haida House Studio." The Haida were one of the tribes that lived in the Pacific Northwest. [Resources on the Haida] The studio is now owned by the city of Redmond. Upon his death, Congressman Rod Chandler honored Dudley Carter with remarks in the Congressional Record.

Marymoor Park serves as a transportation link in two regional trails. The Sammamish River Trail (SRT) connects Marymoor to the Bothell Landing. This is about a 10 mile paved trail. After Bothell Landing, the trail continues onto the Burke-Gilman, which follows along Lake Washington and ends near the University of Washington at Gas Works Park. Also, Marymoor will soon connect to the East Lake Sammamish trail, which was built over the railroad bed running from Redmond to Issaquah.

The SRT is paved its entire length and is one of King County’s most popular regional trails. The trail offers extraordinary views of the river, the broad Sammamish River Valley, Cascade foothills and Mt. Rainier. Bicyclists, joggers, skaters, walkers, and others enjoy the trail as a regional recreation resource. [ Biking Along the Trail ]

The SRT is also used extensively by bicyclists as a nonmortorized corridor between suburban cities and Seattle. A separate soft-surface path runs parallel to the trail between Woodinville and Marymoor Park and provides access for equestrians. Starting at its intersection with the Burke-Gilman Trail near Blyth Park in the City of Bothell. (map)

The SRT continues east and south through Woodinville and Redmond, passing Bothell Landing, Sammamish River Park, Wilmot Gateway Park in Woodinville, Northshore Athletic Fields, Woodinville’s wineries and breweries, Sixty Acres Park, and Redmond City Hall and parks before entering King County’s Marymoor Park.

A trail extension is currently under development to connect the trail with the East Lake Sammamish Trail via Marymoor Park. The trail also provides access to the Power Line and the Bear Creek Trails in Redmond.

Back again this year and beginning April 24th is Cirque Du Soleil.

East Redmond Park & Trail Corridor Plan

Eastern Corridor Park Property Master Plan - "String of Pearls"

The City of Redmond Parks and Recreation recently held its first of two community workshops on our Eastern Corridor of parks and trails. Linkage of five creek-lined, parks with trails and ideas for "best uses" were discussed. Parks planner, Linda Frkuska facilitated the meeting stating: "This collection of Parks is a tremendous asset to Redmond and we want to make sure we are shaping them for the people that will use and enjoy them.". The Eastern Corridor parks, from north to south, are Juel Community Park, Ferrel-McWhirter, Conrad Olson, Perrigo and Arthur Johnson. Approximately 20 citizens attended, including councilmembers Nancy McCormick and briefly, Hank Margeson. Hank was past Vice-chair of the Parks Commission. Hank's family enjoys the Pony Club at Ferrel-McWhirter and soccer fields at Perrigo. Three citizen interest groups were noticeably present:

• Equestrian interests - horse trails at Juel and Perrigo; preference for soft trails; a covered arena at Farrel-McWhirter; signage to warn mountain bikers near the Avondale-PS trail.
• Bear and Evans Creek natural area interests - pervious, narrower trails; attention to the preserving the natural environment; environmental education; trail location & best use.
• Sports interests - Cricket use of Juel Park. Disc golf at Juel. Mountain biking clubs did not attend.

Guy Mikelson, a Seattle consultant of Berger Partnership, led discussion by suggesting three themes for the eastern corridor: 1) history, 2) environmental, 3) "linear arboretum" . Bear and Evans Creek riparian habitat touches all five parks and is the signature piece connecting all parks. Historical buildings add interest and possible uses by "artists in residence" and heritage exhibits.

Miguel Llanos, Redmond Historical Vice President, recommended signage along the future connecting trail to explain the area’s natural (salmon and other wildlife) and human (Native Americans, loggers, farmers) heritage. He suggested the historic Conrad Olsen barn, Juel house and Perrigo Park barn as possible locations for heritage displays and a quasi-museum.

Citizens having interests in using this corridor should contact the Parks Commission or a staff. A final meeting will be held on Thursday, June 5th, 7pm, Old Redmond School House Community Center. Public is invited.  

-- Bob Yoder & Richard Morris, Education Hill neighborhood

Walk In The Park -- Marymoor

If you are interested in soccer, baseball, cricket, flying, regional trails, the largest off-leash dog area in the state, a velodrome, climbing rock, rowing, birding, King County’s cultural heritage, gardening, a family picnic, concerts, or movies, Marymoor Park is the place for you!

Of course my favorite activity at Marymoor Park is visiting the 40-acre off-leash dog park. My companion dog, Sadie, knows this as "doggie disneyland". On a sunny weekend, hundreds of dog lovers will gather in the off-leash dog park to share "dog stories". And of course, folks can buy a favorite gourmet coffee beverage and a doggie treat from my friend at Cara Mia -- a bright green mobile espresso cafe.

The off-leash dog park is well maintained by King County and S.O.D.A. volunteers.
S.O.D.A. is a non-profit organization formed to provide on going support and stewardship for the Off-Leash dog exercising areas at Marymoor Park in Redmond, Washington and Grandview Park in SeaTac, Washington.

Marymoor Park is so popular, it has its own website and includes a MSN Wi-Fi service. Last year, I heard an outdoor concert at the amphi-theatre at Marymoor. Los Lonely Boys rocked the park!

Our twin daughters took us to see Cirque du Solei at Marymoor, 2 years ago. In May 2006 our daughter Allison was pregnant, so the event staffers let us park right up close to the entry gate. A week later our first grandson, Conor, was born! I read in the Redmond Reporter that the international sensation returns to Redmond April 24- May 25.

Some eight years ago, we attended WOMAD (World of Music, Arts & Dance sponsored by Peter Gabriel) at Marymoor. We discovered a superstar world-music band called Afro Celt Sound System. We also heard Ravi Shankar and his students, performing traditional Indian Classical music. My wife especially enjoyed the drum grotto, where we found a community of drummers.

In 1990, the Goodwill Games, held a bicycle race at the Velodrome located at Marymoor. This was very exciting to watch, as the international racers pedal really, really fast.

Marymoor Park is the gateway to the regional trail that follows the Sammamish River north to Bothell, where the trail continues around Lake Washington, and ends at Gas Works Park, on the northern shore of Lake Union.

Friends of Marymoor Park
Marymoor Velodrome Association
Washington State Bicycle Association

Richard Morris, co-author

Ed. Hill Neighborhood

A Walk in the Park

Howdy Neighbors, Bob Yoder asked me if I might contribute a few blog posts. Before I realized my commitment, I said, "yes!" My topic is about Redmond Parks and Trails. I am a regular user of Parks and Trails, so this should be an easy task for me.

Let me begin with Hartman Park. If you are new to Redmond, you may not have discovered this jewel yet. Hartman Park is located across the street from the Redmond High School at the top of Education Hill. The park is home to a King County swimming facility and 5 baseball fields. This is the home field of Redmond North Little League.

In 2004, Redmond North Little League won the Northwest region and participated in the Little League World Series in South Williamsport, PA. With Redmond North claiming the Northwest, it is the third team from Washington to claim the Northwest since its inception in 2001. Previous Washington champions were Bainbridge Island (2001), Richland (2003).

I walk thru the park virtually everyday with my companion dog, Sadie. Spring weather is showing color now in the park. The flowering plum trees are on display, and most trees are showing new green! Spring is a time of natural renewal, and plenty of outdoor activity.

I like this neighborhood park, and really enjoy watching the baseball games, and soccer games on the newer "turf" field. There is plenty of activity beginning in the spring, and that continues through the summer. In the summer, when my home windows are open for ventilation, I can easily hear all the baseball fans screaming, "go Johnny, go Johnny!"

My favorite area of the park is the wooded trail that meanders through a forest of cedars. It is walking in the woods that I feel grounded. Sadie likes to run freely on the trail. It is pure joy when she leaps to action and gives chase to a wild rabbit. We walked the park trail today in the rain. I got fairly wet from head to toe, yet the air is clean and fresh. My shoes got wet too, but they usually dry out overnight, for the next walk in Hartman Park.

Richard Morris

Education Hill neighborhood

Co-author