Get Involved in Upcoming Neighborhood Spring Clean Up Projects

Emily Dexter, Laurelhurst Community Club Trustee, passed along to us some upcoming neighborhood spring cleanup projects.

It's a great chance to meet other neighbors and help spruce up our neighborhood.

These work parties are part of the City’s annual Spring Clean Program "held each year in April and May— and is Seattle's premier clean up event. Spring Clean provides opportunities for citizens to clean up Seattle's public open spaces of their choice with city support," says the city website.

Here's a list of work parties currently scheduled. If you have more ideas, please contact Emily.


Saturday May 8th:

Waterway #1: 43 Avenue NE and NE 34th Street
10-12 
Noted plant expert Arthur Lee Jacobson will be leading a weeding party.  Meet Arthur Lee Jacobson noted plant, tree and weed expert, Jacobson, who will direct this work party. Help pull ivy and dig out weeds and have fun in the process. Bring your gloves and garden tools.

There will be a drawing for those participating in the work party to receive an autographed copy of Arthur Lee Jacobson’s well-regarded Trees of Seattle book. Learn about this book at http://www.arthurleej.com/.

Sun Park: NE 47th Street and 47th Avenue NE
11-1
Join the monthly weed and sweep work party this month tofocus on getting rid of mushrooms which have sprouted up recently. They have regular workparties every 2nd Sat of the month. All are welcome to help out as well as enjoy the garden at this 'pocket park'.

"We have these monthly group weeding sessions so our lovely park will not get overgrown and out-of hand! We never know who is going to show up! Sometimes a right jolly group,and sometimes just a couple of us!" Sun Park Volunteer Dixie Porter says.


Friends of Yesler Swamp Trail Party: Yesler Swamp
10-12
This is a 'chip party to spread wood chips for a new temporary nature trail in preparation for our Father’s Day Swamp Walk, June 20.  Bring work gloves. Also involved is pulling out ivy and blackberries. Meet at the parking lot on the east side of the Center for Urban Horticulture. Light refreshments will be serverd. Tools will be provided. Bring work gloves.

"The high on Saturday is supposed to be a positively balmy 64 degrees, so please come out and help. You’ll be astounded by all the progress that’s been made by our hardy band of volunteers, " the Friends groups says.


Saturday May 15th:


Laurelhurst Boulevard - NE 41st
10am-12pm
Help weed and clean up up the planted median strip along NE 41st and the pedestrian island at the corner of NE 41st and Surber Drive. We'll have gloves, safety vests and clean-up bags made available from Seattle Public Utilities as part of their Spring Clean...and light refreshments. Please bring gloves. Meet at the pedestrian island.


Saturday May 22nd:


The Laurelhurst PTA is sponsoring a school ground cleanup from 8am-noon. Neighbors are encouraged to come for just a 1/2 hr if that's as much time as you can spare.


Saturday June 5th:


LCC Trustee Maggie Wiseseman is sponsoring a Laurelhurst storm sewer stenciling workparty to remind residents to prevent water pollution by disposing of hazardous liquids reponsibly. This is a very fun activity and the city is providing all materials. Please call Emily at 526-2927 if you'l like to participate or learn more about storm stenciling projects.


Any other neighbors who would like to organize workparties to spruce up traffic circles, medians or other public space is encourage to call Emily Dexter 526-2927. She can help arrange gloves, vests, yard waste bags and waste disposal for projects.


And a little more on the history of Waterway No. 1 from the LCC Work Party flier:

Waterway No. 1 is a parcel of waterfront property located where Northeast 35 Street meets 43rd Avenue Northeast. Long ago it was used as a boat launch for one of Seattle’s mosquito fleet ferries, the Laurelhurst Launch, which shuttled folks
from Laurelhurst to Madison Park and back. Now it is a rare and treasured public access point to the waterfront where people can go to observe nature, walk dogs, and launch non-motorized boats.

Neighbors adopted a concept plan to improve the waterway in September 2005. Some progress has been made, but it’s time to move forward to continue to implement the plan.

Your help is needed to transform the waterway into a community amenity for all to enjoy.

Questions or to RSVP: Contact Jeannie Hale at jeannieh@serv.net or 206-525-5135 or Emily Dexter at edexter4@comcast.net or 206-526-2927.