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November 2011 News

News

From Catherine Darley, Board President

Ready to have some fun supporting parks in Ballard and Groundswell NW? We've worked hard this year at many community weeding parties and organized events to build parks and community here in Ballard. Now we'll be gathering at Egan's Ballard Jam House on November 10th for a fabulous night of entertainment, from 7-8:30pm. There will be a variety of performers, from music to poetry, and Groundswell personalities. We ask a $20 tax-deductible donation which will go towards creating parks. A big "Thank You" to Susan Harper of Variety 4 Charity for organizing this event for the second year. I hope you can join us on the 10th!

Catherine Darley, Groundswell NW president

Groundswell to Match Donations to Sunset Hill - Shilshole Gateway Project

Help plant a larger area at the ends of the 36th Ave NW median, between 60th and 62nd, and quadruple your donation by giving now! Groundswell NW will match donations up to $2,000, and the combined amount goes toward our Neighborhood Matching Fund grant project to develop an overall concept plan and implement initial improvements on this important connection between Sunset Hill and Shilshole. Your donation will go toward plants, watering and maintenance costs to install and establish low-growing, low-maintenance, drought-tolerant plants, preserving sightlines for safety. Donate online using PayPal or send a check to Groundswell NW, with "Gateway" in the memo line, to Dawn Hemminger, Treasurer, PO Box 17163, Seattle WA 98127. Contact Dave Boyd, dave.boyd1@comcast.net, 498-6636 for more info.

Crown Hill Glen is Park of the Month

More natural area than park, Crown Hill Glen is tucked away between 19th and 20th NW where these two avenues dead-end at NW 89th Street. First identified as an open space opportunity through Groundswell's Open Space Inventory in 1996, the site is a hidden gem, and testament to the ongoing stewardship of its neighbors.

The natural surroundings look as if they have always been there...but this is not the case at all.  George and Theadora Plumis, who were married in 1931, bought these four lots and the adjoining house and lot to the south in 1940. This was the Plumis' first home and its then rural surroundings gave Mr. Plumis a chance to recreate a bit of the farming culture of their Greek homeland by raising chickens, goats, sheep, and fruit trees.  During the war, it served as a Victory Garden.  It was plowed by horse until well into the 50's!

Click here to read more about this great park.


Groundswell NW Events

Thu, 11/10: Variety 4 Charity benefits Groundswell NW

Join us for a line-up of terrific acts at Ballard's most intimate venue for live entertainment. Suggested donation is $20, which is tax-deductible and will help Groundswell NW's continuing efforts to create community parks and habitat in NW Seattle. Order dinner from the excellent kitchen or drinks from the equally excellent bar to support Egan's generous sponsorship of this event. See the poster for more details.

Time: 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Location: Egan's Ballard Jam House
Contact: Susan Harper, suziharper@msn.com, 240-8046

Sun, 11/13: Ballard Corners Park Work Party

Please join us for a work party at Ballard Corners Park (17th Ave NW & NW 63rd Street) on Sunday, November 13, 2011 from 9am-12pm, rain or shine.

We'll be weeding, cutting back perennials, cleaning up debris, and raking leaves. Many hands make light (and lighthearted!) work! We look forward to seeing you there. Some tools will be provided. If you have your own gloves, weeding tools, pruners, and a wheel barrow please bring them.

Any questions, please contact Phoebe: Pheefine@AOL.com or (206) 782-8392.

No need to RSVP. We're looking forward to seeing you there!

Time: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Location: Ballard Corners Park (17th Ave NW & NW 63rd Street)
Contact: Phoebe: Pheefine@AOL.com or (206) 782-8392

Wed, 11/16: Friends of Kirke Park Meeting

Next Friends of Kirke Park meeting will be Wednesday, November 16, 6-7 p.m., at 864 NW 70th Street. Enter through gate on the driveway. We will be finalizing details of the holly work party and sale.

Time: 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Location: 864 NW 70th Street
Contact: Barbara Hainley, bhainley@accutek.net

Sun, 11/20: Sunset Hill - Shilshole Gateway Workparty

Join us to start planting the median ends with low growing, low maintenance groundcovers. Bring work clothes and any tools you can provide, especially shovels, wheelbarrows and weeding implements. We'll provide refreshments, safety vests and other tools. Time: 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Location: 36th Ave NW median, just south of NW 62nd St.
Contact: Dave Boyd, 498-6636, dave.boyd1@comcast.net

Sat, 11/26: Holly-cutting work party at Kirke Park

Holly-cutting work party at Kirke Park

Where: 9th Ave NW, between NW 70th and NW 73rd

Time: Nov 26, 9 a.m. to noon.

Some pruning equipment and work gloves provided by Parks, but bring your own hand pruners. We'll be cutting and bundling variegated holly for the sale that follows the work party. Coffee and goodies provided.

Time: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Location: 9th Ave NW, between NW 70th and NW 73rd
Contact: Barbara Hainley bhainley@accutek.net

Sat, 11/26: Work party at Crown Hill Glen Park

Work party at Crown Hill Glen Park NW 89th Street and 19th Avenue NW.

Saturday, November 26th, 2011 From 11 AM until 4 PM.

Removal of invasive, non-native plants, and trail maintenance.

For more information, please contact Joyce Ford, Friends of Crown Hill Glen, (206) 789-1394.

Time: 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Location: Crown Hill Glen Park NW 89th Street and 19th Avenue NW
Contact: Joyce Ford, Friends of Crown Hill Glen, (206) 789-1394

Sat, 11/26: Variegated Holly Sale at Kirke Park

Variegated Holly Sale at Kirke Park

Where: 9th Ave NW, between NW 70th and NW 73rd

When: Saturday, November 26, noon to 3 p.m.

Beautiful variegated holly for the holidays— $5/bundle. This is the last year for this fundraiser, since the trees will soon be removed for construction of the park.

Time: 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Location: Kirke Park, 7028 9th Ave. NW
Contact: Barbara Hainley, bhainley@accutek.net

Sun, 12/11: Sunset Hill - Shilshole Gateway Workparty

Come help plant the sight triangles in the south end of the 36th Ave NW median, just north of NW 60th St. Work will start with pulling the weeds that have emerged through the sheet mulched area, then we'll plant potted groundcovers selected to stay low, keep sight lines open for safety, and require little maintenance. If we get enough folks, we'll also weed the rest of the north end in preparation for extending the planting there later this winter and seeding in early spring.

Bring work clothes and any tools for weeding and planting, especially narrow spade shovels and wheelbarrows. We'll provide refreshments, safety vests and other tools.

Time: 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Location: 36th Ave NW median, just north of NW 60th St.
Contact: Dave Boyd, 498-6636, dave.boyd1@comcast.net

Other Events

Sat, 11/05: Ballard RainWise Walking Tour

Seattle Public Utilities' RainWise program invites you to take a self-guided tour of Ballard raingardens. On this free tour, you will:
  • Learn how Ballard is taking the lead on managing stormwater and protecting Puget Sound.
  • Discover how to create a beautiful yard and receive a RainWise rebate.
  • See rebated rain gardens and cisterns on private property.
  • Meet face to face with contractors to help get you started.

 Stay tuned for more details!

Time: 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Location: Sunset Hill Community Clubhouse, 3003 NW 66th

Sat, 11/05: Green Seattle Day

Green Seattle Day is this Saturday, November 5! This day kicks off our city-wide planting efforts. You can register to work at Golden Gardens from 10 am to 2 pm at: http://greenseattle.org/events/2011-events/november/green-seattle-day-11-5.

Please bring sturdy work shoes, long pants, water and any snacks you may want. We will provide gloves and tools. We will meet near the off-leash area north of the upper parking lot (outside of the restrooms).

Please email us with any questions or concerns, and visit our website: https://sites.google.com/site/goldengardensseattle/ to stay posted on park activities and to find directions to the park. You will find a calendar of events on our website to know exactly what's going on at the Park.

Hope to see you on Saturday!

Time: 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Location: Golden Gardens Park, 8498 Seaview Pl. NW
Contact: goldengardensfriends@gmail.com

Wed, 11/09: Panel Discussion on Shoreline Master Program

Groundswell NW has been asked to participate on a panel discussion about Seattle's Shoreline Master Program Update at the November Ballard District Council meeting. Groundswell has advocated for shoreline habitat and public access through the Salmon Bay Natural Area and Greater Salmon Bay Concept Plan. All are invited to listen and participate in the discussion. Time: 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Location: Ballard Library, 5614 22 Ave NW
Contact: Dave Boyd, dave.boyd1@comcast.net, 498-6636

Sun, 11/13: Llandover Woods 2nd Sunday Work Party

Llandover Woods is a pristine serene urban forest with abundant native plants and wildlife- we work on restoration every month.

Meet at West of of parking lot west of the white brick pillars at the end of 145th. Please RSVP each month by email so we can plan our work sessions. Wear sturdy clothes and bring water, coffee, or snacks. We provide gloves and tools.

Meet 9am sharp at end of the parking lot just west of the white brick pillars at the end of 145th.

Time: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Location: End of the parking lot just west of the white brick pillars at the end of 145th
Contact: Glenn Austin, 206-364-9252, gaustin@path.org

Sat, 12/10: Golden Gardens Reforestation and Trails Work Party

Join us on Saturday, December 10 from 9 am - 12 pm when Golden Gardens Park will host its monthly Golden Gardens Reforestation and Trails (GGREAT) work party. We will be removing invasives (ivy and garlic mustard) and planting at a site that promises to be very rewarding! All are welcome and no RSVP is required for this event. Please invite your friends!

Please bring sturdy work shoes, long pants, water and any snacks you may want. We will provide gloves and tools. We will meet near the off-leash area north of the upper parking lot (outside of the restrooms).

While we love them, please be sure to leave pets at home for the work party.

Please email us with any questions or concerns, and visit our website: https://sites.google.com/site/goldengardensseattle/ to stay posted on park activities and to find directions to the park. You will find a calendar of events on our website to know exactly what's going on at the Park.

Hope to see you Saturday, December 10!

-Golden Gardens Forest Stewards

Time: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Location: Golden Gardens Park, 8498 Seaview Pl. NW
Contact: Friends of Golden Gardens goldengardensfriends@gmail.com

Sat, 12/10: Earth Core Discovery Park Work Party

Join EarthCorps and the Green Seattle Partnership as we restore one of Seattle's premier parks.
Discovery Park is a 534 acre natural area park and is the largest city park in Seattle, and occupies most of the former Fort Lawton site.

The site is one of breathtaking majesty. Situated on Magnolia Bluff overlooking Puget Sound, Discovery Park offers spectacular view of both the Cascade and the Olympic Mountain ranges. The secluded site includes two miles of protected tidal beaches as well as open meadow lands, dramatic sea cliffs, forest groves, active sand dunes, thickets and streams.

The role of Discovery Park is to provide an open space of quiet and tranquility away from the stress and activity of the city, a sanctuary for wildlife, as well as an outdoor classroom for people to learn about the natural world. Maintained in its semi-natural condition the park will continue to offer a biologically rich and diverse natural area for urban dwellers and an unmatched opportunity for environmental education.

Click here for detailed directions and more information.

For more information, contact:

Chris LaPointe, Volunteer Program Manager

(206) 322-9296, ext. 217, chrisearthcorps.org

Day-of-event contact: Elizabeth White, (206) 255-4160

Time: 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Location: 3801 Discovery Park Blvd, Seattle, WA 98199
Contact: Chris LaPointe, Volunteer Program Manager (206) 322-9296, ext. 217, chrisearthcorps.org

Sat, 12/17: Carkeek Park - Green Seattle Partnership Work Party

Join us for a restoration work party at Carkeek Park - See website for important details on what to bring and where to meet.

Time: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Location: 950 North West Carkeek Park Road, Seattle, WA 98177
Contact: Dale Johnson, 206-362-2890, dalerayjohnson@comcast.net

Thu, 12/22: EBCA Monthly Steering Committee Meeting

The East Ballard Community Association (EBCA) Monthly Meeting is open to the public. Those interested in getting up to speed on the latest happenings in East Ballard and the 14th Ave NW Park Boulevard, and who want to become more involved with planning and development are welcome.

Time: 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Location: Location changes monthly, please contact Dawn Hemminger if interested in attending
Contact: Dawn Hemminger eastballard@gmail.com or 206-953-3940