Environmental Restoration of Waterway 22

Here is the second of 5 projects submitted for the Neighborhood Project and Street Fund. As with yesterday’s project, your feedback is welcome and helpful as the Wallingford Community Council and other groups decide which projects to endorse.

Reid Haefer contributed to this application. He is a Wallingford Resident and Chair of the Friends of North Lake Union (FONLU), which is a neighborhood group dedicated to the ecological improvement of Lake Union and its surrounding shoreline:

This project application requests NPSF funds to clean up and restore a piece of SDOT unimproved ROW along the shoreline of North Lake Union. The immediate problem we are trying to address is the accumulation of trash and invasive plant species on a piece of land that has immense social and environmental potential. The current condition of the site is an aesthetic and environmental eye sore to the neighborhood. It also presents a public hazard because rampant blackberry bushes make it difficult to discern the existence of a steep slope that goes down to the shoreline; this creates a potential safety hazard for citizens walking by and attempting to access the shore.

The larger problem we are trying to address is twofold. First, the ecological condition of Lake Union and its surrounding shoreline is increasingly poor. Throughout North Lake Union, invasive plant species and trash inhibit the growth of native plants; this prevents birds and other animals from thriving in this area. Additionally, stormwater flows off streets, lawns, and other urban surfaces and carries harmful pollutants into the lake, which contributes to the Lake’s current poor water quality. Invasive plant species contribute to this problem because they inhibit native plants, which are able to better absorb stormwater runoff before it enters the lake. The second larger problem we are trying to address is the lack of public greenspaces in this area of North Lake Union. Although there are greenspaces in Wallingford and Fremont, this area, which is located on the boundary between the two neighborhoods, lacks sufficient public green spaces where citizens can interact and leisurely enjoy views of Lake Union.

Our proposed solution is to complete an environmental restoration of Waterway 22; this involves removing all trash and invasive species from the site, applying some form of mulch to prevent future invasive species from spreading, and planting small native groundcover, shrubs, and trees. Additionally, we want to entertain the idea of combining this environmental restoration with the creation of a small public greenspace. Potential ideas for this greenspace may include environmental education signage, a bench, and a trail or stairs to the shore.

The ultimate outcome of our proposed solution would be a vibrant public greenspace that supports healthy native flora and fauna, while providing a small public area for community members to enjoy views of Lake Union. Given the site’s close proximity to the Burke Gilman trail, this would provide a great stopover spot for bikers, joggers, and walkers who use the trail. This area of Fremont and Wallingford is experiencing increased residential and commercial development and could greatly benefit from aesthetic, ecological, and social improvements. This specific site has been historically ignored despite its prime location and enormous potential; by removing the tall, obstructive blackberries, this will unleash spectacular views of the Seattle skyline and the immediate shoreline of Lake Union, which will benefit businesses in the area by generated foot traffic, as well as uplift the general community.

It is important to note that we have recently applied for a NMF Small and Simple Grant to fund a site assessment, restoration plan, public outreach, and conceptual design for this restoration project.  Our work plan has scheduled the completion of these tasks by the fall of 2015. This NPSF grant would subsequently implement the site design and all other physical improvements in 2016.