Friends of Marymoor Park
 

February 23, 2022 Meeting Summary

-- see also the January 26, 2022  meeting summary

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  1. Introductions – Norah Robinson, King County Parks;  Greg Helland, SODA representative, FOMP President; Michael Hobbs, FOMP Secretary, webmaster; Glenn Eades, Eastside Audubon; Shai Hinitz, MAR/C representative; Laura Hall, FOMP Secretary, Marymoor Community Gardens Association; Amy Dunn, AEG Presents

  2. CIP/Projects/Facilities Updates
     
    • Eastside Audubon BirdLoop – Still planting, and will plant all the plants within the next month.  Glenn was wondering if they over-ordered plants.  But they’re getting reasonable attendance at the work parties, so progress is being made.  They are currently requiring that volunteers show their vax cards, and that they wear masks.  Norah noted that KC rules don’t *require* vaccination for outdoor projects.  EAS will reevaluate COVID protections as things change.

    • Marymoor Community Gardens Association – MCGA board has continuing board members and some new ones.  Registration closed for 2022, with all slots rented out, plus a wait list.  Also, some gardeners would like a 2nd plot.  The Association is trying to discourage those who have 4+ plots.  They do not have an apiarist this year, though they’d like one.
       
    • MAR/C Model Airplane Field – MAR/C is working on getting donations from members to help with their new building project.  Shai has a meeting scheduled with T.J. to see if the county can help out financially.  They are muddling through the application, and could use some help from KC Parks.  Norah related that the application has passed the initial screening from FOMP, Facilities, Norah, Courtney, and everything looks good now.  According to her, T.J. should be able to help move the project forward, including determining the exact location and design, and the avoidance of conflicts with cultural resources.  He should be able to help MAR/C proceed through all of the steps, including determination of funding needs and sources of funding.  Norah confirmed that “T.J.’s your guy” for moving forward.   Shai announced their Spring R/C Swap Meet, Saturday, March 12th, 9am-2pm.

      Shai previously had asked the FOMP membership about Marymoor Park security concerns.  Fortunately, there have been a few events, but mostly there have been limited attempts at theft or vandalism within the park.  Many of the situations that have occurred have been random odd events.

      Shai then asked if other FOMP members have insurance on their sheds and equipment.  EAS said they have a small amount of insurance, but Glenn thought it was more for liability rather than loss.  Laura stated the same for MCGA.  Norah said that Parks requires that kind of insurance and that the county requires that the county be indemnified.  Norah said that, probably, only SRA has actual insurance for loss of their building.  EAS probably has insurance for loss of their gator.  Amy pointed out that usually the deductible is often greater than the projected loss, so insurance has little value.

    • Serve Our Dog Area (SODA)Michael raised concerns in their use of gravel for mud mitigation, in the middle of meadow within the dog area.  Also, the use of gravel inside riparian areas that bound the meadows.  This area is almost certainly a wetland, and the use of gravel *might* be acceptable on established trails, but it is almost certainly not appropriate elsewhere.  Greg said he would pass this on to SODA.
       
    • Maintenance – Laura raised the issue of potholes in Lot G, etc.  Norah reiterated that grading has recently been performed, and that regrading happens several times a year.  Michael suggested that a speed bump a few feet before the pavement-to-gravel transition might help lessen the big potholes that happen at that transition.

    • Maintenance equipment cover – on hold due to concrete driver’s strike

    • Sound Transit - planning is underway for the entrance design.  They are currently working on the surface water management project that is projected to be installed in the general area of the Art Barn

    • New fencing on Ballfield #1 – Design is complete, but construction has been deferred to July/August.

    • Masterplan Update – No new news. Sad smileNorah was unsure if there this is currently a priority for KC Parks.  Shai asked if there is a summary of the input received from the park user’s survey about Marymoor – he presumes it was related or useful to the Masterplan update.  The survey closed mid-October, 2021.

    • Marymoor West and Boathouse – Parking lot lighting.  Greg reiterated his request that the parking lot lights be on a timer that would turn off the lights from perhaps 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.  Laura mentioned that recent science is showing that night-time lighting is very disruptive of animal behavior.

    • Lake Hills/Sammamish Sewer Upgrade Project – Delayed until at least 2024.


  3. Event Updates

    • Cirque Du Soliel - Alegria – Runs through March 13th.  Sales have been good.  See cirquedusoleil.com

      Parking for Cirque is $25, though free with a Marymoor parking pass.  Show times, generally, are 8:00 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. Sundays.  Expect heavy traffic in the two hours before showtimes.

    • The concert calendar is shaping up

    • Norah will prepare a calendar of a few other events that are being planned.  She noted that the Washington Brewfest is on for the Father’s Day weekend.  Drive-in movies will be happening in 2022.  Greg asked about walk-in movies, and Norah said that the concert schedule is looking very crowded so walk-in movies might not happen in 2022.


  4. Other

    • Laura asked if there would be a new food vender in the old Subway location near the playground.  Norah said that they’ve advertised for companies to take over the space, but there has been no interest.  Parks is considering some quality vending machines.

    • Greg noted that the heronry has suddenly become active again.  Michael gave information related to the timing of heron activity.  They are currently taking up possession of their nest sites, and are hoping (or hoping not to) reconnect with last year’s mates.  Actual nesting behavior is still a ways off, but they will probably begin sprucing up their nests soon.

    Next meeting Wednesday, March 23rd, 2022

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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