Council considers renaming a Hartman Park sports field

Credit:  Redmond Reporter

Les Dow, a long time Redmond baseball coach and supporter passed away August 22, 2018. Les spent 46 years as a coach, sponsor, and administrator in the Redmond baseball community. He was instrumental in many improvement projects at Hartman Park and made substantial impacts through his volunteer work.

A community group led by Redmond resident, John DeVore, has made a formal request to name a sports field at Hartman Park after Les Dow. The renaming request was presented to the Parks and Trails Commission on December 6, 2018. A motion was passed by the Parks and Trails Commission recommending renaming the sports at Hartman Park to Les Dow Field pending proper due diligence, and to waive the two-year waiting period. Due diligence has been completed.

Les Dow’s contributions in Redmond span 46 years of service as a coach, sponsor and administrator. Mr. Dow was Redmond Little League (RLL) Adult Little Leaguer of the Year in 1980, Regional Director of National Amateur Baseball Federation (NABF) and NABF Man of the Year in 1988, City of Redmond Park and Recreation Person of the Year in 2010, and the NW Baseball Umpires Association (NBUA) Customer of the Year in 2006. Next year the NBUA will recognize Les with a Lifetime Customer Appreciation Award. The request letter details additional contributions made by Mr. Dow.

Source:  Council Parks and Human Services Committee
              5/9/2019
              Redmond Reporter, by Andy Nystrom, 9/5/18

Redmond Pool closes end of June for construction.

Redmond Pool (Internet)

Phase 1 construction is scheduled to begin end of June, 2109 and ending September, 2019

Phase 2 construction will occur during the summer of 2022 

Questions:  e-mail info@redmond.gov

The pool was built in 1972 by King County using Forward Thrust bond funding and was transferred to the City in 2010. After 47 years, the Redmond Pool systems have outlived their useful life, and essential capital improvements are required to preserve Redmond’s only public pool. Over the last eight years there have been regular mechanical system failures; replacement parts are difficult to find due to the age of the pool. After extensive outreach to the community in 2016-2017, aquatics was identified as the top priority for community center services. In response, the City conducted an energy audit of the Redmond Pool, and the consultant recommended improving the existing pool as the most cost-effective approach.

This past December, the City Council adopted the 2019-2020 budget, approving $8M to improve essential and high priority systems and make structural improvements to the existing footprint that will allow the pool to operate an additional 25-30 years. Pool system repairs and improvements will occur in two phases over two years.  Phase 1 is under contract to complete approximately $5.4M in system repair and replacement that will improve the overall pool facility efficiency and operation. This work will result in lower utility use and costs along with improved building system performance and occupant experience.

The following improvements will be made to the facility:
 Boiler system
 Pool circulation pump
 Pool heat exchanger
 Lighting
 Electrical panels
 Domestic hot water tank
 Roofing & Skylights
 Pool filter


The budget for Phase 2 is $2.6M.  Planned facility improvements for Phase 2 include the following:
 Fire protection upgrades
 ADA Improvements
 Plumbing upgrades
 Pool deck resurfacing
 Lobby and locker room upgrades
 Parking lot resurfacing
 Outdoor storage

-Source:  Council Parks & Human Services Committee meeting, 5/7/19

Updated: A downtown "pocket park"

Photo credit /Bob Yoder

I'm sure you've seen this downtown "pocket park." One of our elected said it's private property. It's on the corner of NE 83 Street and 166th.  Currently, there's construction equipment on the site. (An asphalt roller and another big piece of equipment.)  I hope this tiny green space isn't torn away!  All we have left in the downtown that's treed is the Heron Rookery. Have you seen other patches?

-- Bob Yoder

Significant litter was noticeable at the intersection and has since been removed.  5/7/19
The construction equipment has been removed and replaced with two vehicles.  5/22

In-person discussions of public/private art

Grasslawn Park art

Redmond, WA – For several years, the City has encouraged the private sector to play a more significant role in place-making through the provision of public art in private developments.  However, the code requires some clarification to make the process easier for developers and the City to administer.  The City is seeking input from all community members, developers doing business or interested in doing business in Redmond, and artists.

Several in-person group discussions, an online presentation and poll, and opportunities to meet with staff one on one will take place in April. These activities help the City better understand the community’s thoughts about the definition of public art, the process for reviewing privately developed public art, and how best to administer the in-lieu fund for public art. 

“We are excited that many developers are already coming in with proposals for public art incorporated into their projects.” said Carolyn Hope, Park Planning and Cultural Arts Manager.

Please join one of the group meetings for an in-person discussion at Redmond Community Center at Marymoor Village, Room 206 on April 15 from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m., April 16 from 7:30 to 9:00 a.m., and April 19 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Marymoor Park Concerts!

WEBSITE

First performance is June 1, 6:30:  "Joe Russo's Almost Dead"

Last performance is September 8th, 6:30 "Death Cab for Cutie"

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

Idylwood Park Restoration Planting

Idylwood Park Restoration Planting – A Community Event

EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY March 4, 2019

CONTACT Lisa Maher, Communications & Marketing Manager
lmaher@redmond.gov 
425-556-2427

Redmond, WA – The community is invited to participate in the planting of over 60 trees and 400 shrubs and groundcovers at Idylwood Park, located at 3650 West Lake Sammamish Parkway NE, on Saturday, March 16 from 9 a.m. – noon. The plantings will mitigate and restore areas where Cottonwood trees were previously removed.

Volunteers will help plant and mulch the restoration areas. The event is being coordinated through the Green Redmond Partnership. Please sign up at www.greenredmond.org so we can be certain to have adequate tools and supplies.

For questions and more information contact Lisa Maher, Communications & Marketing Manager, at lmaher@redmond.gov or 425-556-2427. This press release is available on www.redmond.gov.

On March 4th, GreenRedmond published the event as "full."

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

Eastside salmon habitat improvements

Credit / John Reinke 

A 95th Street Bear Creek Enhancement project will install six log jams, two backwater channels, 230-feet of alcoves and enhance almost 3-acres of buffer. The project is on the Chinook Recovery plan for WRIA 8 because of its high benefit to spawning and rearing habitat in Bear Creek.

The project is located south of the 95th Street bridge on City of Redmond owned property. The $143,490 grant will help pay for construction costs associated with the installation of four log jams in the stream, one backwater channel and approximately 180- ft of alcoves. The remaining part of the project is designated as mitigation and will be entirely paid for by the stormwater Capital Improvement Project budget. The construction target is 2019 pending receiving Army Corps permits.

-- Council Committee meeting, 11/13

###

Lake Sammamish State Park has grown by more than 5 acres after land was donated to the park by a local company.

Lakeside Industries recently donated a 5.3-acre parcel of property adjacent to Lake Sammamish State Park which will let the state and city of Issaquah expand habitat restoration along Issaquah Creek. The property is located on the east side of the creek between Alpine Animal Hospital and the Microsoft campus. It includes more than 1,100 linear feet of creekside, a critical habitat for young salmon.

Mountains to Sound Greenway stewardship program manager Mackenzie Dolstad said restoration work will include removing invasive weeds and planting native trees and shrubs along the creekside. That work will provide shade for young Chinook salmon that use the creek near Lake Sammamish as a safe haven as they grow before moving into Puget Sound. Issaquah creek is one of the highest priority creeks for Chinook salmon and houses the Issaquah Salmon Hatchery further upstream.

-- Issaquah Reporter, 11/2

Plant park trees to restore Redmond forests

"yours truly"

Save the date to plant trees with the Green Redmond Partnership!  Join us at Juel Park on Saturday, October 27th, 9 am - Noon to help keep our forests healthy and green. Everyone can help! All ages welcome, no experience necessary. Green Redmond will have all gloves and tools for you to use, as well as coffee and snacks to get the morning started.

Planting events will be held at two other park sites this year. Advanced registration is strongly encouraged as some sites will fill up.  Find your favorite park and sign up via the link below!

We only have a few more spots open to volunteer with us on Oct 27th, so please email us below if you would like to sign up. Sign up at www.greenredmond.org.

-- Bob Yoder

Source:  redmond.gov

City to restore Idylwood Park

Idylwood Park cottonwood trees / King 5

Redmond, WA –In March and April of 2018, the City removed 14 cottonwood trees in Idylwood Park after a risk assessment identified the trees as a public safety hazard. The remaining high-risk cottonwood trees were scheduled for removal following the busy summer beach season.

In the summer of 2017, two separate large limb failures resulted in injury to a park patron and damage to private property. These incidents prompted the risk assessment.

Removal of the cottonwood trees started on October 10. Large trees will remain in natural areas along the waterfront away from high-use areas, and permanent fencing will be installed in areas to limit access and protect future restoration plantings.

During this project, the City has been working with numerous organizations and a citizens group to create a restoration plan that would preserve and maintain natural habitats while offering safe, enjoyable experiences for all parks users. Over 60 trees, nearly 400 shrubs and groundcover will be planted which aligns with the City’s commitment to restoring and maintaining the urban forest for present and future generations.

The Redmond community values our trees, and we have programs in place to protect this natural resource, but public safety is our top priority. The cottonwood trees scheduled for removal are in high-use areas and are public safety hazards.

The robust mitigation and urban forest enhancement plan is scheduled for the winter months. The City will coordinate a community volunteer planting event.

Downtown Park Grand Opening set for September 15th

Jessica R, City Arts Administrator gave a presentation to City Council on the Grand Opening of the Downtown Park during a July 3rd Council committee meeting.   The Grand Opening is scheduled for Saturday, September 15th, 5PM - 10PM....hopefully without rain.  A "soft opening" is date-uncertain,

This will be a time of celebrating Redmond's first urban park...."the last major construction project for the downtown" according to the City.  It sounds like a fun time.  "Everyone's invited -- they are expecting a So Bazzar type of attendance of 5,000."

Ribbon cutting is 5-5:30 PM.  An afternoon scavenger hunt is being considered, in concert with the local business.  After the ribbon cutting there will be a community picnic with long picnic tables set along 161st....I think.  The Grand Lawn is available as well.  Restaurants will be partnering for to-go ordering. 

Redmond's first Artist in Residence will give an interactive performance, "100 years From Today."  It will have three acts with crafts and games in between.  The current Artist in Residence will present a digital art exhibit at the pavilion (the "flying saucer.")

The theme for the event is "metamorphosis" -- celebrating the rapid change from a one stoplight town to an urban center.  Caterpillar and butterfly art will be scattered around the park. The event closes at 8 PM with a digital lighting exhibition presented by Redmond's current Artist in Residence.

Source:  Council Committee of the Whole, Parks & Human Service, July 3rd video.

Note:  The Downtown Park cost $18M to build but many say it's closer to $40M when counting the land acquisition and other expenses.

  ☝   The scavenger hunt is sponsored by One Redmond and will begin at 1PM.  According to David Carson, cater-fly art won't be installed.  

B. Yoder

Source:  Council Committee of the Whole, Parks and Human Services.