Friends of Marymoor Park

January 28th, 2004 Meeting Summary

1) RASP Poetry Event

FOMP has drafted and executed an agreement with the Redmond Association for the Spoken Word (RASP) to support their Poets in the Park event, April 3-4, 2004.  FOMP has granted $2520 as seed money to offset the rental of Clise Mansion.  RASP has invited a panel of local and national poet-presenters.  RASP is willing to include FOMP information and even a donation envelope as packet enclosures for event attendees.  RASP is very excited about holding this as an annual event.  See www.poetsinthepark.com.

2) Maintenance Shop Update

We got an update on the possible maintenance shops to be located at the northeast corner of Marymoor.  Permits were applied for, relating to water supply. and the project is on hold pending progress on those permits.  The model airplane group MAR/C spoke with project coordinator Butch Lovelace concerning the conflict between model airplane flight paths and the building site.  Adjustments may have to be made by both the airplane group and in the building plans, but the issue may be moot because problems attaining needed permits may force redesign, scaling back, or relocation of the maintenance buildings.

3) Reader Board

The county is proposing to build a tall, electric/electronic reader board at the northwest corner of Marymoor.  Norah Gaynor supplied a draft design for a sign to be located north of baseball field #2.  It would be located where it would be visible from both directions of SR 520.  It would have both marquee-style running light text display, and fixed commercial advertising (internally illuminated).  Construction costs would come from CIP (capital improvements).

Some announcements would be for park events.  Others would be paid announcements (mostly interdepartmental or intergovernmental - i.e. recycling reminders, AIDS awareness, etc).  Norah will coordinate marquee announcements.

The sign may be built as early as April. 

FOMP consensus was that messages should be limited to park, park department, King County, local events etc.,  and not be used for general commercial advertising.    Notification of event sponsorship would be OK.

The plans called for a  rather gaudy metallic structure about 30' high.  FOMP members requested a more organic design, maybe featuring wood instead of curved steel.

4) Grants for Environmental Stewardship

From a variety of agencies, there are a bunch of grants available to outside non-profit, community, or school groups.  Some of these have March 1 deadlines, others have a more flexible schedule of granting.  See http://dnr.metrokc.gov/wlr/pi/grants.htm or contact Ken Pritchard at Ken.Pritchard@metrokc.gov or 206-296-8265.

5) 2003 Park Revenue and Expenses Review

Marymoor maintenance expenses for 2003 were $1.2M.  Park revenues were: $333,000 from field and picnic rentals, $259,000 from the concert series, and $294,000 from the new parking fee.

The county's stated goal is to generate as much revenue at Marymoor as possible without compromising the nature of the park "too much".  If possible, within that framework, Marymoor would be a revenue-generating center for the benefit of the Parks System.  The recent 4-year levy takes the heat off in the short-term.

6) Memorial Garden

Bobbi Wallace passed around revised preliminary drawings for the possible Pet Memorial Garden which would be located east of the Community Gardens.  Bobbi also passed around some survey questions that had been sent out to 100 people.  50% of the returned surveys indicated that the people might be interested in paying for a pet memorial within the garden.  Issues were raised with the wording of some of the survey questions. 

7) Future of FOMP

Greg Helland gave a rundown on the FOMP governance structure.  There were questions about the nature of FOMP meetings in the eyes of FOMP and in the eyes of the county.  When asked if FOMP meetings constituted ‘public meetings’ a County representative said that FOMP is viewed as more of a citizens' advisory board.  Whether FOMP does or should have any official standing is something that needs to be discussed.    More information about this topic will appear on the FOMP website in the future.

-- see also the November 2003 meeting summary

The next meeting will be February 25, 2004.

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.