Friends of Marymoor Park

February 24, 2016 Meeting Summary

-- see also the January 27, 2016  meeting summary

1) Introductions – Norah Robinson, King County Parks; Michael Hobbs, Eastside Audubon, FOMP Secretary; Laura Hall, Marymoor Community Gardener's Association, FOMP Board; Herb Bone, MAR/C Club, FOMP Board

2) Commuter Traffic – Commuters have been cutting through Marymoor in increasing numbers, contrary to KC ordinance.  Now there is a lit sign telling drivers that the park is not open for commuters to cut through. The annual parking pass documentation now states that the pass is not to be used as a license for commuting. Police may occasionally be stationed to turn commuters around. There have also been issues with sports parking, where drivers claim that they are just dropping a kid off or picking one up, but then idle their cars for long periods of time rather than taking and paying for a parking space.  Parks is working on ways to deal with these issues, so Marymoor can remain a park, and not be just a highway with parking lots.

3) CIP/Project/Facilities Updates:

a) Birdloop – Norah would like to replace the whole Interpretive Path paving and boardwalk as a single project.  She's looking at least to get  design and permitting in 2017-18 budget. Michael suggested that the full multi-million dollar cost be a big bullet item of reconstruction be a main feature of the next County Parks levy, though that may be too far out.  Norah also expressed support for the boardwalk to extend north along the slough to the southern tip of the off-leash area, and with a railing on the slough side to limit access to the river.  There would be one or more accessible platforms built along the river as part of this.

b) Noxious Weeds - In November, weed crews sprayed Canada Thistle in the Birdloop South Meadow.  Next spraying will be 3rd week of March.  There was a meeting with Eastside Audubon in late February to discuss additional steps.

c) Community Gardens – CPG grant approved for MCGA – only needs signing. There is still an open question about whether water pipe should be 18 or 24 inches deep. The deeper depth may require assessment by Cultural Resources, if that is deeper than previous cultivations. MCGA also interested in a recycling bin.   Laura also mentioned that they never got a fall water bill; Norah said she would check.  At the request of the foodbank, MCGA will be concentrating less on number of pounds of food going to the Food Bank, and concentrating more on culturally appropriate food items, like garlic, tomatillos, peppers, etc.  MCGA is also working with Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts on a couple of possible projects.

d) Concert Venue Seating – Besides an improved and expanded pad for the Preferred Seating area, Parks would also like a paved path from the main venue entrance to the proposed concrete pad to accommodate ADA visitors.

f)  Shop yard fencing – may go to “temporary” fencing because of cost of a Cultural Resources survey.

Next Meeting: March 23, 2016, 7:00 p.m. at the 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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