Friends of Marymoor Park

October 23rd, 2002 Meeting Summary

-- see also the September 2002 meeting summary

Minutes of FOMP meeting 7PM October 23, 2002 by Bill Illi (acting secretary)

Meeting took place in the Marymoor Park Clise Mansion

Meeting was called to order by Gregg Helland at 7PM.

Board Members present: Gregg Helland, Bill Illi & Herb Bone

Others present: members of the King County Parks (Norah Gaynor & Bobbi Wallace) and representatives of other groups, such as the Redmond Chamber of Commerce, The city of Redmond, Greg Conley (representing the proposed golf driving range)

ITEMS

1) Bobbi Wallace presented up-dates on the results of the Budget cuts, which will result in several staff layoffs as well as the closing of the Luther Burbank Park’s offices. Staff will need to be relocated by the 1st of January 2003. Parks will have an approximately 40 % cut. As has been stated before, many parks and facilities will be closed unless Cities or large organizations come to the rescue.

2) Discussion of Proposed Revenue generating projects: Greg Conley and Bobbi Wallace shared in the presentation of the up-dated design for the proposed golf driving range. The design now seems to meet the previous concerns in regards to fitting in to the natural park setting. Greg Conley said that if there was an early go ahead on the project, they could have it completed by June 2003. The driving range design as well as the proposed concert band stand, can be viewed at http://www.metrokc.gov/exec/news/2002/1023021.htm)

For a more detailed outline of the “New Vision of Marymoor Park announced by Ron Sims see the following web site (http://dnr.metrokc.gov/parks/transition-plan) Mention was made during the meeting that the museum portion of the Clise Mansion will have to find a new home. This is another shocker since there seems to be no place that the valuable historical material can be safely moved to and still have its relationship to Marymoor Park. There was mention of the possibility of moving things to a place like the Art Barn. Her again, money is just not available to do what would be necessary to have it be what it needs to be and at the same time be secure.

More was discussed in relation to the preparation of fields, such as artificial turf. Increase in field rental charges was also discussed. A need to be flexible and control charges which would be more inline with costs.

3) Forestry Grant project

$25,000 to $75,000 is potentially available. Bobbi Wallace said that several park user groups have already offered 500 volunteer hours each. This is quite impressive!

4) Friends of Magnuson Park Assistance Request was mentioned briefly but no action was taken.

5) Update on Potential Starbucks Donation to FOMP

6) Other:

Discussion in regards to a pumping wells and ground water handling study. There was a question concerning the fact that there was to have been previous studies made and so far there have been no evidence of them. What happened?

7) Bobbi Wallace shared some ideas concerning landscape changes that may be put into effect around the Clise Mansion. This would enhance the grounds for weddings that would take place during the summer season. This would be on the eastside of the building.

The next FOMP meeting is scheduled for November 20th 2002.

These notes were made by the webmaster, Michael Hobbs, and they do not constitute an official record of the meeting.  They may have inaccuracies and omissions.  If anyone has any complaints about the content of these notes, they should direct them to Michael Hobbs at fomp@marymoor.org, and he will endeavor to correct them.