February 22nd, 2012 Meeting
Summary
-- see also the
January 25, 2012 meeting summary
1.
Welcome and Introductions: Greg Helland – FOMP
President and SODA representative; Norah
Gaynor – King County; Christina Merten – FOMP Board member and MCGA;
Sam Skenandore – President, MCGA; Jack McKinnon – MCGA; Michael Hobbs –
FOMP Secretary and Eastside Audubon;
Glenn Eades – Eastside Audubon;
2. Marymoor
Community Gardens Update:
Sam gave an update on the MGCA. The gardens are completely rented out. Heavy use
has caused wear and tear
on gardens, and one area they'd like to address is the condition of the
paths. They'd like to improve the paths. Sam has been in contact with
T.J., and MCGA may be in line for a small grant They'd like to do gravel
paths, but the best kind are not considered permeable. After talking with
SODA, they are now proposing using Hogs Fuel, as is used in the Dog Area.
The main east-west paths are of most concern. These paths are 372' x 6'; the
north-south paths are shorter. Sam estimates they'll need 92 yards of hogs fuel 8" deep. Cost would
be ~$1500. To protect against mole damage of the paths, he had looked into
galvanized mesh to go at the bottom: cost about $1050. There would
also need to be a weed barrier. And they want 4"x4" cedar edging
on the paths. All told, a little under
$8000 total, for materials. Sod would be removed first. Greg questioned the need for sod
removal, citing the dog area paths that were built without it. But there
were concerns about the grass underneath either coming up through the hogs
fuel, or decomposing and settling badly. There's also the issue of the
grade of the trail versus the grade of the gardens - they'd like the path to
be closer to the plot grade. To eliminate weeds, and also to work on grade
issues, there would need to be additional excavation. Norah would have to
ask about archeological issues. Care would be necessary to avoid pipes,
though the existence of the buried pipes is yet another argument again a need
for archeological preservation is moot due to prior excavation. Greg also
questioned whether the mesh to deter moles is necessary. There are some
small issues with moles under
dog area, but whether the reduced future maintenance is worth the upfront
cost of $2100??? Excavation would require environmental evaluation Greg
suggested recycled plastic beams instead of wood. Sam thought that neither
treated wood nor plastic would be acceptable to MCGA members, who are very
concerned about pristine garden conditions for growing organically. Michael
asked, with incredulity, whether MCGA members would really be happier with
non-sustainably harvested cedar 4"x4"s instead of recycled product milk jugs
and/or recycled soda bottles??? Greg offered that FOMP might be able to grant MGCA some money for this
project, but nowhere near the full $8000 cost. MGCA would need to apply to
FOMP as for any other grant, with a proposal, plans, costs, etc. FOMP can
act quickly on such a grant request. In previous years, FOMP has
granted money to MGCA for help with the food bank plots. MGCA is
now getting funding from HopeLink, and they also get material donations
from Cedar Grove Composting.
3.
CIP/Project/Facility Updates: Norah Gaynor,
Parks
a.
Birdloop – Flattening of dump piles. "Design" approved, so they will
proceed when the weather improves a bit. Norah said they'd be willing to
hydroseed using a wildflower seed mix provided my EAS. This is
considered to be an significant improvement over current conditions, if
not the best possible solution.
b.
Garden Loosestrife Control Project - Spraying done early September.
Inventory in spring.
c.
Boathouse project -
http://sammamishrowing.org/newboathouse
Foundation is in, and steel framing girders are being installed.
d.
East Lake Sammamish Trail –
http://www.kingcounty.gov/operations/capitalImprovements/parkscip/projects/eastlakesammamishtrail.aspx
Bid opening rescheduled to Feb. 21, 2012. March "Notice to
Proceed" date expected, with construction beginning in April.
This is for the Issaquah portion of the trail. Design for
the North Sammamish portion, running south from 187th Ave.,
started in January. Sixty percent design documents
anticipated for October, 2012.The Burke-Gilman Trail reopened
February 10. We're not too many years out from having a
continuous paved trail, in good condition, from Ballard to
Issaquah...
e.
North playground – Improvements scheduled for Winter 2012.
Some updates/repairs to existing. Possible addition of tot- section and
adult fitness equipment if funds allow. Improved accessibility.
4. Other
-
Christina agreed to prepare and send in a grant
request from FOMP for a Wild Spaces grant to help pay for the
preparatory work associated with tree planting around the Historic
District. Significant costs are for archeological assessment
of desired planting areas, preparation of a tree plan, and removal
of invasive non-native plants. The grant request is due
February 29. Greg and Norah agreed to help with the grant
prep. Thanks everyone. Let's hope we get a grant.
-
Eastside Audubon hopes to utilize many COMCAST
volunteers during their April 21st work party.
Next Meeting: Wednesday March 28, 2012, 7pm Marymoor
Art Barn
These notes 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.
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