News and Opinion on Neighborhoods, Schools and Local Governments of Redmond, WA.
Monday, April 18, 2016
LETTER: Redmond Central Connector is an important addition to Redmond's trail network
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Redmond police tracks down teenage suspect with social media
Friday, September 11, 2009
Updated: Cindy Jayne - An extraordinary Redmond community leader and volunteer.
Cindy Jayne is an amazing Redmond community leader and volunteer. I first met Cindy reporting on a Parks & Trails Meeting. I wanted to write her story. Cindy has taken the summer off and is "working" full time on a backyard landscaping project right now, but she kindly offered a little of her time to share the biography of her volunteer life in Redmond. Hold your hat, here goes:
1992 Moved to Redmond - Lives west of Marymoor Park, in the View Point Neighborhood.
2004 Joined Northwest Earth Institute. http://www.nweiseattle.org/
2005 Steering Committee member for Seattle Northwest Earth Institute
2006 Joined City of Redmond Trails Commission
2007 Joined City of Redmond Pedestrian-Bicycle Citizen Advisory Committee
2007 Laison between PED-Bicycle Advisory Committee and Parks & Trails Commission
2009 Vice Chair of City of Redmond Parks and Trails Committee
2009 Forest Land Steward (with husband Jeff) for Westside Park.
2009 Derby Day Redmond-Green booth volunteer and parade participant.
2009 Starting up "Sustainable Redmond Group", http://www.scallopswa.org/
Northwest Earth Institute's Sense of Place course is part of what prompted Cindy to join the Trails Commission. This course focuses on one's knowledge and commitment to the local community. The Institute is giving a presentation of their "discussion courses" for those who want to learn more, Thursday, September 17, from 7-8 at the Redmond Library, Room. I. Say hi to Cindy!
Professionally, Cindy worked for 13 years for Physio-Control in Redmond, designing medical devices. She has a Bachelor's and Masters in Electrical Engineering, and an MBA. She switched to consulting work in 2008.
"I had the perfect commute for many years - 5 miles each way, most of which was along the Sammamish River trail. I would ride my bike to work typically twice a week, year round, which both reduced my carbon footprint, and gave me a good workout and fresh air."Cindy Jayne's personal mission and philosopy on life:
"As I have learned more about climate change, I came to view that as the most critical issue that affects our planet today. It impacts so many other aspects, including poverty, disease, forests, and wildlife. I feel it is a moral responsibility that we all have to try to leave the planet in better shape than we inherited, for the sake of all the world's children (of all species) and future generations. I am hopeful that not only can we change course, but that doing so will improve our lives by helping bring communities together, and shifting our culture away from consumerism and toward meaningful relationships. As the saying goes, the best things in life aren't things."Thank you Cindy Jayne for all you do for our community!
Cindy would love to hear from anyone interested in being part of "Sustainable Redmond". She can be contacted at cindy@nweiseattle.org.
by Bob Yoder
Tuesday, March 22, 2016
Opinion: Redmond City Council has no policy valueing or addressing neighborhood services
City legal costs with neighbors escalated from the Redmond Bike Park land use decision. A neighborhood association could have smoothed communications and saved taxpayer money.
City-Neighborhood communications on the encampment ordinance was poor. A neighborhood association, per Kirkland's model, could have improved dialogue and outcomes. School and city levy communications are restricted.
It appears the only in-neighborhood services the City of Redmond offers is a dormant "matching gifts program",council visits to those neighbors holding annual National Night Out parties, the fireman's Santa Christmas visit, Redmond Ready, the national CERT program and the Police Academy. Other in-neighborhood services may be offered but they're scattered all over the city web-site and not readily found or known.
After the Marchione-Fields election the Marchione Administration appears to be reaching out to the neighborhoods with an April 28 Town Hall. Lisa Rhodes, the city Communications Director announced a "two-way communications" initiative. Several Education Hill residents are trying to form a neighborhood association, but the city is offering them no assistance or resources.
The city appears to have no interest in establishing formal neighborhood associations nor advocating for them. A leader of the school district levy bond committee was looking for Redmond associations like Kirkland's but we have none to offer. For years Mayor Marchione has been aware of Kirkland's associations (his mother is a Kirkland councilmember) but hasn't been empowered by Council to form them. Council has no policy that addresses neighborhood services.
Read More about Kirkland's neighborhood mission statement and neighborhood services >>
Sunday, November 9, 2008
UPDATED: Council to decide on a $27 Million "Downtown Park" - Did you know?
Several comments have been posted. Here's a brief breakdown of the proposed Parks budget:
In this budget cycle, the total proposed Capital Fund (1) for Parks is $75,000.000 (2) over the next six years. Parks General Fund is budgeted to go up 19% to $12,137,784 over two years. Parks salary and benefits alone will increase by just over $ 1 Million. Council has approved many items of the General Fund increase and will converse further on others. However, $43,060,000 is proposed for capital projects (2009-2014) and is yet to be approved by Council. The Downtown Park and a $10K linear park are two of the projects.
HAS THE PUBLIC BEEN FULLY ENGAGED in the Downtown Park budget process? Doubtful. After two public workshops many months ago, six "Results Committees" - each with 1 citizen and staff - were formed by the Administration. These committees evaluated and ranked budget requests (3) for the six "priority areas" defined by the Administration. The Results Committee responsible for evaluating the Parks requests was composed of one citizen and six city staff. The Parks & Trails Commission , Arts Commission and PED-Bike Advisory Committees were not included in this "Budget for Priorities" program. It seems questionable that only one citizen in the absence of the Commissions is fully adequate to evaluate and rank public requests.
In coming sessions, Parks Director Larsen will present the Results Committee's $43,060,000 Park's capital request to Council, as follows:
- $27,000,000 in new funds to build a Downtown Park.
- $10,000,000 is requested for acquisition of the BNSF railway. (See an awesome rendering of the corridor promenade)
- The council will also decide on $1,060,000 for the redevelopment of Anderson Park development and Slough Park designs; and
- $5,000,000 to buy and build new trails.
The location for the Downtown Park is "undetermined", but my guess it will be part of the BNSF railway Corridor. The BNSF linear park corridor will feature a regional trail, rain gardens, landscaped promenade with pedestrian seating and future plans for light rail transit. 3-4 roads will cross through the corridor for traffic circulation.
If you want to comment to the city try emailing: Parks/Trailz/Arts celarsen@redmond.gov or ParksAndTrailsCommission@redmond.gov.
Footnotes:
1. The city's name for the "Capital Fund" is Capital Improvement Fund or C.I.P.
2. Dollar amounts have been rounded. Verify here
3. Bureaucratic lingo for 'budget requests" is Requests for Offers or offers.
View the index for the preliminary city budget HERE! Outstanding issues are placed on the "issues table" for later review by council.
CC: Council & Mayor & Parks Director Larsen, 11/09/08
Friday, November 9, 2007
1/23/07, Redmond Ranked Tops for Kids!
This is a picture I took of children on Perrigo Springs Woodland Trail, during the "Friends of Redmond Woodlands", FORW fundraiser. Children in Redmond, WA. are lucky! Really lucky.
Lori Snodgrass, Parks Board member, gave us the heads-up; then yesterday morning Q13 FOX TV announced from Marymoor Park some very exciting news: Redmond is ranked in the nation's TOP 100 "Best Communities for Young People" by "America's Promise Alliance". Out of 750 other schools applying, Redmond was specifically selected for it's array of safe and fun after-school activities.
The America's Promise Alliance was founded in 2005 by Colin L. Powell. City selections were made by over 50 Alliance members, including: U.S. Conference of Mayors, and Big Brothers/Sisters. Tim Russert of Meet the Press, Brian Gallagher the United Way President, and Tom Donohue of the US Commerce are a few of the decision-makers.
So how is Redmond so special in providing an array of safe and fun after-school activities? I've brainstormed a few from parenting my 14 year old daughter and 7 years of "Lunch Buddy" mentoring. Here goes:
See the kids running along the Perrigo Woodland trail in the photo? No question it's safer and more fun commuting to school on this trail than taking a bus. Redmond is loaded with neighborhood trail connections. Ann Glassy, administrator of the Lunch Buddy Mentoring Program at Mann, directs kids to the Redmond El Neighborhood Program for afterschool enrichment. The Redmond Old Fire House provides after school activities for teenagers aged 13-19. An Eastside Services Counselor is available at the Fire House for high risk kids needing help on teen issues. 425-810-4083. youtheastsideservices.org The Outdoor Skateboard Park and Perrigo Dirt Bike Course keeps kids off the roads and having fun. Explorers 16 years and older are recruited to help the police on safety issues. & Sports - on lit fields with artificial turf in Redmond's Hartman, Grasslawn, & Perrigo city parks -- all well maintained and 'safe'. Redmond Recreation Guide! http://redmond.gov/insidecityhall/parksrecGuide/guide.asp
America's Promise Alliance has shown that to succeed in life, young people must experience at least four of the Five Promises -- 1) caring adults, 2) safe places, 3) a healthy start, 4) effective education, 5) opportunities to help others. Less than 1 in 3 young people in the nation receive enough of these promises.
Aren't we lucky! 1/23/07
Monday, April 10, 2017
Visitors: Experience Redmond
Redmond offers all of the natural beauty and eclectic activity for which the Pacific Northwest is known. From serene and meandering bike paths to competitive cycling events; from lively outdoor concerts to diverse family activities; from an upscale outdoor shopping center to local boutique stores, Redmond is an unforgettable experience. You can also experience nearby wineries, dining for every taste, and luxury accommodations in Redmond's world-class hotels.
Fun and exciting events take place all year long in Redmond. Check out the Experience Redmond website or calendar to learn about upcoming Redmond events. Regional and neighborhood parks, outdoor movies and concerts, sports tournaments, theater performances, annual festivals, a Saturday Farmers’ Market, and local arts highlight the long list of Redmond activities and events.
Primary Visitor Assets
- Marymoor Park
- Redmond Town Center
- Willows Run Golf Course
- Five World-Class Hotels
- Microsoft Visitors Center
- Sammamish Trail
- Sixty Acres Soccer Fields
- Redmond Parks & Trails
Friday, May 3, 2013
Letter: Tree City USA?
An item in last week’s Redmond Reporter noted that Redmond has been designated a "Tree City" by the Arbor Day Foundation for the 14th year. To qualify for this honor, a city must "designate staff to care for trees, appoint a citizen tree board to advocate for community forestry, establish a tree ordinance, spend at least $2 per capita on tree care and celebrate Arbor Day." Redmond is missing one critical element of these qualifications…a citizen tree board to advocate for community forestry.
The City of Redmond relies upon staff members to manage community trees and uses citizen volunteers for forest restoration manpower, but decidedly not for policy suggestions. We know because Sustainable Redmond has advocated for a citizen tree board consistently over the last year and has just as consistently been rebuffed. Read More >>
Monday, September 14, 2009
City Planner Carolyn Hope wins committee vote to apply for a bike jump construction grant.
During last Tuesday's meeting at Perrigo Park, Senior Park Planner Carolyn Hope announced the exciting news that potential grant money had been found to cover the cost of construction and some design work. She asked the Committee for approval to apply to "Bikes Belong". for the grant application. Committee members Vache', Myers, and Carson were present and voted, "yes". Councilmember Richard Cole's presence had given the Committee quorum so they voted to give Ms. Hope direction to apply.
During a previous BMX meeting held at Horace Mann, Mr. Cole was concerned about liability and that expensive Lloyds of London insurance could be required. Parks Director Larsen reassured everyone that the State of Washington's Recreation Immunity Act covers the city's liability. Case closed! Council voted to approve Ms. Hope's grant application!
Ms. Hope said completion of the new Bike Jumps needed support beyond the grant. Local bike shops and hopefully R.E.I. will donate resources. R.E.I. may offer grant money, but they require an application from an employee. Any R.E.I. workers out there?
Below is an important link to all the hard and thoughtful work Carolyn Hope put into this project. As you can see, Ms. Hope's portfolio is comprehensive & thorough and will impress "Bikes Belong". Planner Theresa Kluver and all the BMX'ers, their parents, and many citizen volunteers all worked together to make this grant application possible.
PLEASE CLICK HERE to find links to all the cool jump pictures and BMX projects listed below!
Excellent photgraphs (taken during citizen BMXer field trips) of creative jumps and jump course designs!
Field Trip 1 - Snoqualmie Bike Park, Snoqualmie, WA
Field Trip 2 - Colonnade, Seattle, WA
Field Trip 2 - Towers of Power, Renton, WA
Work Party - July 31, 2009 (Pictures of volunteer BMX'ers filling holes around trees and building safer jumps; they used over 10 yards of soil!)
Carolyn Hope's City Bike Jump web site: http://www.redmond.gov/insidecityhall/parksrec/parksPlanning/DirtJumps/Documents.asp
by Bob Yoder
city website photo
Special thanks to Councilmember Hank Margeson for explaining how the Committee voting process works.
Monday, April 8, 2024
"Bicycling in Redmond" -- Historical Society Speaker Series
A YouTube Video of the Meeting! |
Saturday Speaker Series - Bicycling in Redmond – Past, Present, and Future
Time & Location
Apr 13, 2024, 10:30 AM
Old Redmond Schoolhouse, 16600 NE 80th St, Redmond
Redmond is home to the headquarters of several major bike manufacturers. However, there’s not one thing that makes Redmond a great place for cycling, but many things put together that has earned Redmond the designation of "Bicycle Capital of the Northwest"―from Derby Days races to “Ride Around Mount Rainier in One Day” (RAMROD) to the Jerry Baker Memorial Velodrome at Marymoor Park. Joe Matthews, President of the Redmond Cycling Club, will give a short history of that organization.
Speaker bio:
Joe Matthews only got into long-distance cycling after his brother challenged him to complete the Seattle to Portland (STP) bike ride in the 1990s. Matthews couldn’t back down, of course. After STP, the Redmond resident wanted more, so he embarked on the Ride Around Mount Rainier in One Day (RAMROD―a single-day event that celebrates the beauty of Mount Rainier National Park and features a challenging course of 150 miles and 10,000 feet of climb. He was hooked. Since then, Matthews has cycled in myriad races and challenges and now serves as president of the Redmond Cycling Club (RCC). RCC was founded in 1978 amid increasing popularity of cycling in the U.S. The club began from a core group of friends who were riding regularly. Within a few years, RAMROD founder John Dixon brought the RAMROD cycling event to RCC, which it now stewards.
Wednesday, July 18, 2018
Bike shares in our neighborhoods and parks?
W |
Internet photo |
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 |
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
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Staff presents the Commission's P.A.R.C.C. Plan to Council
Probably, one of the most significant changes proposed are new standards for "levels of service" (LOS). In past years, levels of service focused on obtaining state agency funding for new parks and redevelopment. Planning will be designed more for function and need than grant funding applications.
This go-around, Carolyn Hope and Craig Larsen of Parks & Recreation proposed adding new functional "levels of service'" called-- Walkability, Density, Capacity, Demand and Use. Including the functional parameters will help the City prioritize and allocate City Park & Rec (and Art) resources. Impacts on the City from the "outside uses" of Marymoor Park, school fields, 60-Acres, Willows Golf, businesses, Sammamish river cycling and others can be more easily reckoned.
The foundation of the Plan is extensive public input from: three public meeting workshops, online & phone surveys, citizen advisory committees, and other opportunities. A few of the more enlightening findings from the study are, as follows:
- The number one activity in parks was reported as: walking. #2 activity was unorganized sports or play, #3 relaxing (birding, meditating, reading). Organized sports were listed at the bottom third for Park activity Could this "surprise" be attributed to use at school fields, 60 Acres, and Marymoor Park, Willows Run?
- The number one "future park use" requested was Mountain bike parks and trails.
- The trail type most requested was soft surface trails, preferably single track. 73% of all respondents from all ages wished for soft surface! 27% wanted paved.
- A Leisure Aquatic Center was the most requested Rec. facility. (Lap pool, shallow rehab/fitness pool, splash pool for kids).
- A performance center for theatre (vs. concerts) was in demand.
- As for Rec. programs, Aquatics and Nature were at the top of the list.
- 52% of citizens drive to city parks!
- 60% want more trails; 63% use a City park at least once/week.
- Only 15% or 25% (depending on survey interpretation) said NO to funding by a park bond levy. Fees for use were popular.
CONTACT: ParksAndTrailsCommission@redmond.gov or Park's Chair hmyers@redmond.gov
Monday, November 1, 2021
City Consults With Berger Partnership On Downtown Parks
Heron Rookery adjacent Leary Way
I was one of the few public attending the "Downtown Parks Open House" meeting on April 24 at the Old Redmond School House. (It was posted on the city website).
Tuesday, July 12, 2016
Downtown art
Redmond is special to the Northwest in that we have a very diverse population of residents from all over the world...and we become more diverse with every year. Art is especially crucial for us because of our diversity. It offers a great way to connect and engage us in conversations and activities. We get to know and accept each other through art.
Frazer Court is a private development that installed this interactive art. See the stones on the pedestals? You can move them around. |
The city planner said they will install some temporary art in the Downtown Park and neighborhood parks. This ought to give the planners some "wiggle room" as they await a response from the viewing public. Phase 2 of the Redmond Trail Connector is underway. I hope there's enough time to hold workshops so we can participate in this part of the trail. I'm concerned there's not enough time or resources to hold another workshop for the Downtown Park. The demands on staff are intense. More and better delegation to the city commissions is called for.
Bob Yoder, opinion
*The workshop for the Bike Park was very useful in the design. (Its location was taxing.)
Thursday, July 27, 2017
Steve Fields responds to "Washington Conservation Voters" Questionnaire
Thursday, March 19, 2015
Community Invited to Celebrate Cleveland Street
Redmond, WA – The community is invited to celebrate the grand opening of Cleveland Street on Wednesday, March 25 from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Sunday, September 12, 2010
City of Redmond and County want to improve Power Line trail connections.
There is no authorized "trail" on PSE's land, between the Watershed Preserve and Farrell McWhirter park. Although the City and County have been negotiating with PSE for over a decade, for an easement or permit to construct such a trail, no easement or permit has been issued and no rights for such a use have been granted by PSE -- we have, however, informally allowed individual recreational uses, such as horse riding and mountain biking, to occur on our land. The existing "trail" is, in fact, simply a utility access road and is planned to be maintained as such. PSE would be prohibited by the UTC from expending utility rate-payer funds (i.e. from recovering the costs through utility rates) to upgrade the road for recreational purposes.I know there continues to be an interest by the City of Redmond and King County in making this trail connection."
Teresa Kluver
Park Operations Supervisor
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Thoughts on Redmond parks and arts
The city gave an electronic survey to all 25 participants. It was clear Redmond has grown way beyond it's last 6 year plan. For example, "soft surface" trails and "open space" was by far the most desired choice of nine park, rec, and art assets. Multi-use soft surface trails got a lot of interest - for hikers, equestrian, runners, and mountain bikers. A soft surface trail following the Sammamish River on the west bank drew a lot of chatter.
The city was definitely featuring art in their presentation. I found it interesting over 24 pieces of outdoor art rest permanently in Redmond but are not owned by the city. We have so much outdoor art, why can't we loan out some of our collection for others to enjoy? John Stilin, Arts Commission Chair and a city council candidate, brought up a valid argument to improve the enrichment of our youth with art education. Apparently, a clay throwing studio for kids just opened up at the Old Redmond School House; and the Teen Center has some great music programs.
One of the Downtown Park visions appeared as an expansive promenade, with covered seating and tables. Looked good. On my turn, I suggested "micro neighborhood parks" where neighbors could open satellite outdoor markets to sell things like "native plants", "nature photographs", and "home-made art & baked goods". Education Hill has a corner forest where this actually took place at one time.
Finally, the city showed a cool picture of "Redmond West Park" wetlands. Do you know where it is? Click here for slide shows of all our city parks.
Saturday, August 18, 2018
My trip to Europe -- Redmond History & urban transportation
Two long rows of "scooters-motorcycles " blanket a plaza in Sorrento credit/ Pam Yoder |
Our trip was instigated by my nephew, playing the Irish in a Aussie Rules Football. tournament. We lost both games but the Guinness, Jamison and lively pubs made up for it.
I had my eye out for the McRedmonds in Ireland. None to be found. Luke McRedmond immigrated to America during the potato famine and homesteaded here in 1850. Upon becoming postmaster in 1882 he renamed the town from "Salmonberg" to Redmond. [Click on the hyperlink to read a fascinating account of the early development of Redmond up to Microsoft's presence.]
My daughter Lexie, and her boyfriend had to leave after the tourney. Pam and I extended our trip to visit Venice, Rome, Sorrento and Capri. Great times!! but the biggest negative was a plethora of noisy, invasive "scooters" in Sorrento (pop. 16,500.) They appeared as a scooter-motorcycle hybrid....not the kind I know...and often drove only feet from back-street restaurants. As opposed to Ireland, Italian streets have no curbs so the "scooters" can drive and park most anywhere, Cars had less presence. I saw a handful electric bikes and bicycles but no bike shares. Rather, the streets and plazas were loaded with many large scooter parking spaces, as seen in the photo.
Electric bikes and bike shares have a smaller parking footprint than scooters and our curbed streets make these bikes less invasive and more controlled. Electric bikes and bike shares are more appropriate than scooters for our urban centers and are the wave of the future for Redmond.
B. Yoder, opinion
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Redmond "Community Indicators Report" is Revealing
John Marchione |
"Dear Neighbors: Every year we update a variety of indicators to track our progress towards achieving the City's future vision and goals. These indicators not only help us see trends, but also can help you stay informed about steps we take to advance your priorities"...and are a means of tracking our planning process.The Mayor writes: Salmon count on Bear Creek is up, Parks, Rec, and Cultural event access is now reported and trending up, and "many people are taking greater advantage of city offerings online with more permits issued (63%) and more web visits (6.7M) [*on the old platform] than in previous years." (1) Digging into the 2010 report, albeit selectively, we find some interesting tidbits:
- PUBLIC SAFETY: Firemen's average Response time improved by 3 seconds to 6 min 0 sec.
- The average emergency medical response times worsened by seven seconds to 6 min 38 seconds, [assuming stop watches were calibrated.]
- FIRE: No trend in city fire prevention or mitigation: 0.3 Fires spread beyond room of origin. 6 fire investigations reported damage exceeded $10,000 in 2010.
- CRIME: Residential and commercial burglaries (198), identity thefts (202), and motor vehicle prowls (612) are up from 2009. Violent crimes (51) decreased.
- COLLISIONS: The trend is down for vehicle collisions (22) involving bike/peds. The numbers of vehicle collisions not involving bike/peds are down from 899 (2006) to 767 (2010). [The downward trend in collisions was recorded prior to the red light safety camera program.]
- TRAFFIC: Traffic growth at intersections increased 7.6% in 12 years (1996-2008)
- AM COMMUTE: 36% of employees surveyed (CTR) in 2009 arrived at work by a mode other than driving alone. The trend is up: in 2003, 25% traveled in non-single occupancy morning trips.
- SCHOOL BUS: The trend in student bus ridership is up: 38% of students (9200) rode the bus to school in 2009 vs. 31% in 2008. (Mass transit included). Total student population is 24,085.
- LW DISTRICT SCHOOLS: The graduation rate for the District as a whole was 87% in 2010. The graduation rate for Redmond High School was 88%.
- FISH & WILDLIFE: "While not a long term trend, 65,000 juvenile Chinook were counted in Bear Creek in 2009." 24 spawning Chinook were counted in Bear Creek, 2010.
- Bird watchers at Marymoor Park ID'd two new species in 2010: Sandhill Crane and Common Poorwill. Bald Eagle sightings are more common than 10 years ago. 240 Great Blue Heron sightings.
- STREAMS: 50% of stream sites tested for Stream Water Quality are "marginal". 50% of streams are considered safe for human contact and can support fish and wildlife. (Updated January, 2011). Starting in 2009, samples are not taken during or after rainstorms when water quality declines.
- Read More by clicking the blue link >>