Friends of Marymoor Park

June 27th, 2007 Meeting Summary

-- see also the May 23, 2007 meeting summary

In attendance: Greg Helland, Herb Bone, Michael Hobbs, and Norah Gaynor.

East/West Sammamish River Trails Connector - Based in part on the consensus of opinion at last month's meeting, the Central Alignment (which follows fairly closely Marymoor Way) has been approved to proceed to the Design Phase.  A clinching piece of data was information about automobile usage at each of the proposed road crossings; about 2500 cars per day at the single crossing of the Central Alignment, versus around 7000 cars passing the two crossings on the Southern Route.  The Design Phase is in preparation for permit applications.  Construction is hoped to begin in 2008.  There will presumably be opportunity for public comments later in the permitting process. [Norah let me know later that a SEPA review will be required for the connector trail project.]

Still an open issue is equestrian usage in and around Marymoor Park.  Norah mentioned that they have early  discussions have begun, trying to figure out how to improve the connection between the Bridle Crest Trail and the Sammamish River Trail.  That would require some work along West Lake Sammamish Parkway between the Bridle Crest Trail and the main entrance, as well as north of Marymoor Way connecting to the River Trail.  There will, at some point, be a meeting with the King County Horse Council to discuss what might be done.

Michael suggested the possibility of some kind of horse destination in West Marymoor Park on the meadowy area just south of where NE 51st St comes down the hill.

Project Updates -

• Design is still being developed for baseball field #2; they are investigating an all-weather field that could be used for either baseball or soccer, using some repositionable fences and portable mounds.

• Birdloop - wants to install a shed somewhere near the East Meadow to store equipment for use on building/maintaining the bird loop.  Greg suggested placing it near the soon-to-be-installed gate near the southeast entrance to the Dog Area.

• Dog Wash - Construction is well underway.  Hoping to open in August.

• Tree replacement - most of the trees planted earlier this year are doing well.  An actual long-term plan is currently on hold, but Norah's interim plan is to plant trees whenever the opportunity arises.

• Park Signage - service signs are up at entrances.  Norah wants to get signs for the Art Barn and maybe one or more directional signs that need correcting.

• Velodrome Building - construction should start in August

• Pet Garden - some work has been ongoing to cap the wall, remove some of the pallets to allow the grass to grow, and installing a gate and trellis.  There are a few customers already lined up.

• Field #5 irrigation - Field #5 is east of the Climbing Rock.  It will utilize the wheel irrigators that used to be used on other fields that now have underground automated irrigation.  LWYSA

Upcoming Events (see event list) - Norah wanted to warn that the following dates will probably have very heavy park use

• July 7th - virtually sold out Allison Krauss concert, plus large picnic and softball

• July 27th-28th - Major velodrome event plus The Fray concerts, plus soccer and bocce ball tournaments

• August 26 - Kennel Club show plus major church picnic (4500 attendance)

Concert Venue recycling - A major recycling push has been implemented at the concert venue.  Recycling bins are now available.  Food scraps are being carted away for composted.  Compostable drink cups are being used.  At the first concert, 68 percent of the waste was recycled (6.7 cubic yards of waste that would otherwise have gone to the landfill).

 Next meeting, July 25, 2007.

These notes were made by 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.