Friends of Marymoor Park

March 24th, 2010 Meeting Summary

-- see also the February 24, 2010 meeting summary

1. Introductions:

Norah Gaynor (King County Parks), Barbara Dickson (neighbor), Herb Bone (MAR/C, FOMP Board), Christina Merten (Marymoor Community Gardener's Association, FOMP Board), Jack MacKinnon (Marymoor Community Gardener's Association), Greg Helland (FOMP Board), Michael Hobbs (Eastside Audubon, FOMP Secretary)

2.       Urban Reforestation Grant Application – Greg has not begun work on this yet.  Applications are due 4/9.  Greg looked for volunteers to help.  Frana Milan (KC Parks) might be able to review the application.

3.       Park Tree Inventory and Plan  - Whole Foods 5% March presentation.   The situation was a bit unusual, in that we hadn’t realized there would be 12 people, and that we could have prepared a PowerPoint presentation...   We ended up not being chosen, but we may have a chance for another month.   One thing they wanted to know is how we might promote the event within the store.  If we are chosen as a finalist again, we will have a chance to present again.

4.   Model R/C Field – Proposed Rule Change  - The first rule change would be to impose a sound limit on model aircraft.  The limit would be set at 90 dBA at 25 feet.  That level was chosen because it is used already at certain competitions.  Mufflers can be installed on the engines to reduce noise.  Also, switching from 2-bladed to 3-bladed propellers can reduce noise.  MAR/C would perform testing and certification.  There have been some noise complaints, some from neighbors, and some from birdwatchers. 

The second rule would be to require all flyers to be members of the Marymoor R/C club.   Currently, about 2/3 of the time, the field is reserved for club members.  The rest of the time, the field is open to non-members.  There have been problems with non-members not following rules of the field.

Norah has received only a couple of comments, both generally supported.  One person was concerned that youths might not be able to afford MAR/C and AMA membership.  MAR/C has addressed this by allowing those 19-and-under to join MAR/C for free.  They can join the AMA for $1, if they don’t get the magazine (AMA membership has always been required for MAR/C membership, which provides liability insurance).  For adults, AMA membership is $58, and MAR/C membership is $40 per year.  There will be a guest rule, allowing out-of-town visitors with planes to fly with only an AMA membership and a MAR/C host.

Barbara raised the issue of having membership requirement to use a public park.  Herb pointed out that the Community Gardens requires a rental fee.    Norah pointed out the importance of rules for safety, and liability insurance.

The rule changes would be effective around September 1.

5.   CIP / Project Updates:

a.       BirdLoop:  Monthly work parties are continuing.  April 3,9-noon,  they will be doing a big mulching project at a recently planted area just south of the swing gate at the south end of the dog area along the slough trail.  This will require some truck travel through the dog area

b.      Park signs:   The blue slat signs will be updated with arrows on each slat.  The “Interpretive Trail” sign will be changed to “Audubon Bird Loop Trail”

c.       Maintenance and Art Barn Renovation – roof done, paint, window weatherization (done), and garage door (done)

d.      Stage Seating Area – All possibilities for pervious surfaces will be evaluated

e.      NE Marymoor Way Paving Work – Work order in for extension of center line east, and updating the yellow paint on the speed bumps

f.        Electrical Work – Project to upgrade food court – in progress

g.       Community Gardens – New water connection will be installed when plumber is available.  No more leaves or chip deliveries are desired anymore.  There has been some problem with additional undesired deliveries

h.      Garden Loosestrife Control Project – Grant was received, but there were issues with the grant that was awarded.  KC Parks does not have sufficient trained staff to perform the whole eradication in a single season.  Access trails will be cut in May.  (Michael asked if the trails could be cut sooner, so that nesting birds would be less disturbed – Norah will check with Karl).  Spraying will be done immediately after Cirque.

i.        Tennis Court Repairs – “New” nets will be installed tomorrow (gently used ones were donated, and will be an improvement).  Surface repair project is funded.  Work will be done when weather is projected to be warm and dry for an extended period.  There will be new youth tennis programs over the summer, once the resurfacing is done.  Christina volunteered to be able to help with publicity at tennis shops.

j.        Pet Garden – Jack proposed that MCGA plant shrubs to close the gaps in the wall that could not be closed by fences due to restrictions on digging.  Norah would like that, but would like to review their choice of plants.

5.       Other:

a.       Barbara is concerned about the posting of the park rules at Marymoor West.  There is a rules sign on the perimeter fence.  Barbara asked that the sign be posted along the trail to the slough instead.  Norah was surprised that Marymoor West is actually signed “No Pets”.   Barbara is pretty sure that it’s posted that way.   Michael suggested that a sign might be posted where you pay for parking as well.

b.      Michael is concerned about gravel having been dumped onto dog-only trails along the west edge of the south part of the Dog Meadow.  This seems inappropriate.  Michael also requested that the riparian strip between the Dog Meadow and the Slough Trail be fenced with split-rail.

 Next Meeting:  Wednesday April 28, 2010, 7:00 – 9:00pm. Marymoor Art Barn.  

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.