Waterway Number 1 in Laurelhurst
Tomorrow from 6:30-8:30pm, Seattle Parks and Recreation Department is sponsoring a special community meeting about Phase 3 of the Waterway No. 1 Enhancement Project, located in Laurelhurst at the corner of 43rd Avenue NE and NE 35th Street.
The community is invited to share ideas on the ongoing project. The meeting will take place on the basketball court at the site.
The Laurelhurst Community Club (LCC) recently sent out this information:
Come learn about the landscape plan, offer your comments, meet Parks Neighborhood Planner Pamela Kliment, landscape architect Michael Lee, plant expert Arthur Lee Jacobson as well as other project leaders.
Michael C. Lee, registered landscape architect and owner of Colvos Creek Nursery, designed a landscape plan that addresses the safety and access needs of visitors; soil erosion concerns; vegetation that both helps wildlife and beautifies the site.
The plan is based upon the concept plan developed as a result of community consensus at a design meeting years ago. The plan also includes design and possible installation of an ADA pathway.
The Laurelhurst Community Club received a $25,000 grant from the Neighborhood Park and Street Fund to implement the plan.
What is Waterway #1? Waterway #1 is a parcel of waterfront property located where Northeast 35th Street meets 43rd Avenue Northeast in Laurelhurst. 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, launch non-motorized boats and play basketball. The property is owned by the state Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and regulated by the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT).
Community Consensus on WWI: In addition to agreeing on safety improvements at the water’s edge, at the community design meeting in 2005, neighbors agreed to the following:
1. Combination basketball court, grass, garden, and kayak launch
2. Benches
3. Accommodate a wide range of ages, interests and needs
4. Drought tolerant, disease resistant plants
5. Retain and improve the basketball court
6. Path to water – not interfering with court if reasonable
7. One or two small trees near the water’s edge with benches underneath to provide shading for older neighbors
8. Enhance shoreline to improve ecology and habitat
Progress on the WWI Enhancement Project: Phase 1 of the project in November 2005 involved installation of several large, granite, slip-resistant boulders on the water’s edge to improve safety for access to the water. LCC was assisted by Shane DeWald, SDOT’s landscape architect, and DPD in planning, permitting and installation of this phase.
Over the years, LCC hosted several work parties, most under the direction of Arthur Lee Jacobson. LCC partnered with Seattle Children’s which contributed two truckloads of wood chips to cover the area where the large laurel hedge was removed.
Over a lengthy period, LCC, with the assistance of State Representative Gerry Pollet, and the cooperation of the Seattle Parks and Recreation Department, received approval for implementation of Phase 2 of the project—replacement of the 80-year-old dangerously dilapidated basketball court. This project would not have been possible without the support of many neighbors who contributed to the project. The project was completed in 2014.
Phase 3 Plan: Michael C. Lee, registered landscape architect, designed a landscape plan that addresses the safety and access needs of visitors, soil erosion concerns, and vegetation that both helps wildlife and beautifies the site. The plan is based upon the concept plan developed as a result of community consensus by SDOT’s landscape architect with input from noted plant expert Arthur Lee Jacobson. The plan also includes design and possible installation of an ADA pathway. LCC received a $25,000 grant from the Neighborhood Park and Street Fund to implement the plan.
Policies: LCC has adopted specific policies regarding shoreline street ends and waterways. These policies are similar to those of the Washington State Department of Natural Resources, owner of Waterway No. 1, and SDOT, which has regulatory authority over the waterway. LCC’s policies call for:
· Supporting full public access except in areas of permitted private uses
· Supporting the elimination of private use permits as circumstances allow
· Protecting views
· Improving ecology
· Ensuring buffers are maintained along property lines in recognition of the impacts that public uses have on abutting property owners
· Developing community consensus on improvements
· Making improvements that consider the needs and interests of all of our neighbors
· Encouraging community stewardship
To view a PDF of the plan, click here to visit the Waterway No. 1 page on LCC's website.
To comment on the Waterway Landscape Plan email waterway1@lcc.com.
For questions contact Liz Ogden at 517-5862 or lizogden@comcast.net, or Jeannie Hale at jeannieh@serv.net.
No comments:
Post a Comment