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Crown Hill Park Construction Begins!

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ribbons-fence
"We decorated the fence so the construction crew would have something pretty to look at while they worked" (Photo courtesy of Small Faces Child Development Center)

On Wednesday, August 10th construction began on the soon to be Crown Hill Park.  The Paul Brothers of Oregon were awarded the construction contract for the park a few weeks ago. On Wednesday children at Small Faces decorated the fences with ribbons so the workers “would have something pretty to look at while they worked.”

Behind Former Home Plate
Behind Former Home Plate

 

John Deere and Blacktop Mountains
John Deere and Blacktop Mountains
Concrete Culverts Removed
Concrete Culverts Removed

Our new park will include a renovated ball field, open lawn areas, a skate dot, a pathway and much improved landscaping. The two large sycamores, south of the old ball field will be retained. Small Faces and the community began work to secure the historic Crown Hill School Site for community use many years ago. Seattle Parks held community meetings in 2005, 2007, and 2010.  Crown Hill Neighbors was formed in 2007 to act as a community voice in this effort. Initially it was thought the School District would enter into a long-term lease (50-year) with Small Faces, and Seattle Parks and Recreation would construct the park on the leased land while Small Faces operated the old school building. An opportunity presented itself one year later when the School District decided to surplus the school and land. Seattle Parks purchased the land for the park using the Opportunity Fund from the Parks & Green Space Levy, and Small Faces purchased the building to become the future Crown Hill Center.

Final Site Plan
Final Site Plan (click to enlarge)
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Key Bank Armed Robbery, Aug 8th, 2011

UPDATED: 9 AM, 08/09/2011 — Added pictures of suspects from SPD blotter and descriptions

UPDATED: 4 PM, 08/09/2011 — the description of the incident on 13th near 100th was clarified based on further information from neighbors and from Terrie Johnston from the SPD.

The Key Bank in Carkeek Plaza was robbed at gunpoint today at approximately 10:45 AM. A number of neighbors reported that the Plaza around the bank quickly filled with police cars, and a helicopter hovered overhead as the police searched for the robbers.

At about the same time police received a call about a possible residential burglar or otherwise suspicious circumstances in a house on 13th, a few short blocks away.   Police blocked NW 100th from 12th Ave NW to west of 13th Ave NW. Neighbors reported that the police surrounded a house near 13th Ave NW and NW 100th, but did not take anyone into custody. One neighbor reported there was “a swat team, at least 10 cop cars, a couple of black vans.” Approximately 2 PM the containment around the house was cleared and traffic flow was restored on 100th.

Additional coverage of the bank robbery can be found on the MyBallard website.

Photos and text from the SPD Blotter article:

On August 8th, at approximately 10:48 AM, two suspects robbed a bank in the 9700 Block of Holman Road Northwest.  The suspect descriptions are: 

1) White male, 20-30, thin, wearing an “Idaho Vandals” hooded sweatshirt, black bandana over the face.

2) White male, 40-50, thin, dark blue-green flannel over shirt, black t-shirt beneath used to cover face.

Anyone with information regarding this robbery or the identification of the masked suspects, please contact the FBI-Safe Streets Task Force at (206) 622-0460.

Events

North Beach Park Work Party, Aug 27th, 2011

Join neighbors and friends the 4th Saturday of every month as we remove invasive plants from the North Beach Park and Nature Area, at 24th Ave. NW and NW 90th St. We meet at 9 am at the entrance to the park; the next work party is August 27th. Bring water, sturdy shoes, and clothes you’re willing to get dirty. We’ll provide gloves and tools.

North Beach Park is a small ravine park kitty corner from North Beach Elementary. Although there is a serious problem with invasives, the canopy and understory still have a diversity of native species, from Western Red Cedar and Big Leaf Maple down to Pacific Waterleaf. The park is also home to mountain beavers and numerous birds. Removing invasive plants increases the beauty and improves habitat and health of the park.

For further information, please contact North Beach Park forest steward Luke McGuff at 206-715-9135 or lukemcguff@yahoo.com.

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Local Author Donates Kid’s Books to Page Ahead

We received the following press release from Page Ahead (1130 NW 85th St), a Crown Hill non-profit which promotes children’s literacy:

Local author Keith Baker donated 200 new copies of his children’s books Hide and Snake and On the Go with Mr. and Mrs. Green.  He delivered the books to Page Ahead’s Crown Hill office on Monday Aug. 8th.  In the attached photo, Keith Baker is pictured with Susan Dibble, Page Ahead’s Executive Director.

Keith Baker was a nominee for Page Ahead’s 2011 Best Books for Kids Awards for his alphabet book LMNO Peas, and is the recipient of other children’s book awards including a Golden Kite Award for Big Fat Hen, and a School Library Journal Best Book of the Year for The Magic Fan, among others.

Page Ahead is the leading provider of children’s books and literacy services in Washington State, serving 55,000 children in need every year.  Page Ahead provides new books for children in need; literacy support for families; and reading resources for communities.

Keith Baker
Keith Baker
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Free Trees from Seattle’s reLeaf Program

The City of Seattle is sponsoring a Trees For Neighborhoods program again this year. The program encourages residents to plant trees in their yards and along their streets. They city will provide residents:

  • Free trees
  • Watering bags
  • Training on proper planting and care
  • Coupon for free Groco compost
  • Ongoing care reminders and workshop opportunities

The list of available species is here.

This is a City program so there are some ground rules:

  • Trees can be planted anywhere in residential yards, but must be planted at the address on the application. 
  • Permits are required if planting street trees – reLeaf staff will coordinate acquiring permits. Receiving a permit is not guaranteed. No permit is required for yard trees. 
  • You must be present at the planting training to pick up your tree(s). All trees should be planted shortly after receiving them. 
  • The number of trees approved for your yard may be fewer than the number requested. Please note that tree availability is not guaranteed.
  • If you do not own your home, you must obtain the permission of the homeowner. 
  • Tree supply is limited and applications will be accepted on a first come first served basis, so apply early!

If you would like to participate, please visit the program website and submit your application. The deadline for applications for street trees this year is September 1st, 2011 and for yard trees is October 24th, but you should apply early because the number of trees is limited.