Calling all volunteers who live or work in West Seattle – you deserve some recognition and fun!

If you're not already in the West Seattle Grand Parade on July 19th during the Hi-Yu Festival, you are hereby invited to frolic/march with us. Why the parade?  Just because! (Haven’t you always wanted to be in a parade?)

We’re not organized, scheduled or in any way coherent for this event, just like your average volunteer activity.  The one thing that is firm:
If you show up decorated in anything that remotely resembles your volunteer activity, we will buy you a beer or soda at West 5 after the parade.  Silliness and giant leaps of imagination are encouraged, have fun with your topic.  Afterwards, you’ll be trying to explain yourself - networking at its finest, eh?

No need to RSVP or pre-register, though we'd like to hear from you, so if you think you might be interested drop us a line at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

If you decide at the last minute you can come along, just show up and join the Volunteers in West Seattle Grand Parade Marching Unit for the recognition you so greatly deserve. No meetings will be held along the parade route, in case you were wondering.

Meeting place and details to come; watch morganjunction.org, and we'll e-mail you updates if you RSVP to us at the email above. Just save the morning of Saturday, July 19th and get that outfit ready now!

Your kids are welcome to be in the parade with you, consider a wagon or stroller for the wee ones.

No motorized things; we will have a Mini-Cooper already in the parade to carry our sign and play snappy music.

Don’t bring candy to toss, parade rules say no to that.
Cool costume = West 5 ticket

Let us know about your interest at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

 Info will also be posted at www.morganjuction.org

SEATTLE PARKS AND RECREATION ANNOUNCES ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR MORGAN JUNCTION   Seattle Parks and Recreation has identified $90,000 from the Pro Parks Levy Neighborhood Development Projects contingency fund to complete development of Morgan Junction Park.   This project develops the property on California Avenue SW, north of SW Eddy St., into a park.  The design incorporates ideas and suggestions made by community members at meetings held in the planning process for this space. The new park provides for community gathering space and family activities. The design features a blend of hardscape, compacted crushed stone, grass, low landscaped edges, trees, and seating. Approved by Seattle voters in 2000, the $198.2 million Pro Parks Levy funds more than 100 projects throughout the City over eight years.  Projects include improvements to athletic fields, playgrounds, trails and community centers and parks. Funding also increases green spaces, supports Zoo programs and enhances park maintenance. For more information, please call Virginia Hassinger, Project Planner, at 206 233-7936; e-mail her at Virgina.hassinger.seattle.gov, or visit the website at http://www.cityofseattle.net/parks/proparks/Projects/morgan.htm.   

Community Harvest of Southwest Seattle: 2008 Fruit Tree Harvest

Community Harvest of Southwest Seattle is a new organization that increases availability of urban fruits and vegetables for all neighbors in West Seattle and White Center. We believe that everyone deserves access to the foods that promote a healthy life.

We are gearing up for the 2008 Fruit Tree Harvest. We harvest residential fruit trees and donate the fruit to the local food banks, senior center and schools.

We are always looking for more volunteers to pick fruit & more trees to harvest!

Harvesting Info:

• The harvest season begins in mid July and ends in late September.
• There will be 2 regularly scheduled picking times each week - one on a weekday evening and one on a weekend day (with additional times as needed.)
• Volunteers can come for 2 hours or stay for up to 4 hours.
• Volunteers are needed for picking (ladder or ground), delivering fruit, and scouting trees.
• Harvesting is typically done by a group of 2-5 people working together.
• Currently we focus on pesticide free apple, pear, and plum trees. Most of the trees we pick are plums.
• We offer two orientation sessions for all harvest volunteers prior to picking: Tuesday, July 15 or Monday and August 4 7:00-8:00pm at the Delridge Library.

If you are interested in being a volunteer harvester or you have a tree that you would like harvested, please go to our website www.gleanit.org and fill out the online form.

You can also contact Aviva by email at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or by phone at 206-762-0604.

Minutes from the Morgan Community Association Meeting, April 16, 2008 - The Kenney
 

Presiding: Steve Sindiong

Recording: Eldon Olson

Participants: 14

 
Introductions, Announcements, Updates

CRF (Seattle Cumulative Reserve Fund) project prioritization - of 15-20 projects in W.

Seattle (for which ca. $95,000 is available to SW District Council area), three

prioritized projects are within MoCA area - nominated among top 5:

1.       Pedestrian access to Orchard St. Rav. - connecting 38th Ave to the cul de sac.

2.       Sidewalk improvements to Morgan Junction Park

3.       Pedestrian connection on 44th Ave SW., from Frontenac to Solstice Park

Council Budget Forum - May 22 (5:30 pm) High Point Community Center (6920 34th Ave SW). Call 684-8807 for more information.

Neighborhood Planning Workshop Program - April 19 (8:30 - 12:00) Bertha Knight Landes Room, City Hall, for more information contact This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Puget Sound Lock & Key Fundraiser - Insurance did not fully cover recent arson damages, Fundraiser May 4 at W. Seattle Bowl. Wells Fargo has a designated account for donations (acct. #5358011681). For more information, contact Megan Allen 579-1553.

Spring clean-up - April 5 to May 31. For any site that needs to be cleared, the City will supply tools and disposal, phone 233-7187

Murray Pump Project - Electrical and mechanical control project has been completed. There may be revisions to the original design - project now on hold.

Combined Sewage Overflow Project Update - Every 10 years, a certification process is mandated for EPA Permit renewal. Current processes are being designed for certification for 2010-2020. Opportunities for community involvement will take place in September. Of concern in W. Seattle area are toxic discharge sites on the Duwamish and flow problems on Longfellow Creek. For further information, contact Charles Redmond, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Morgan Festival - We may have leadership for a neighborhood festival for 2008. Of special concern is where to locate the festival. For comments, contact Steve  Sindiong at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or Cindy Barker at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

West Seattle Trails - MoCA officers have endorsed "Dells and Ridges Trail System" appeal for a Neighborhood Matching Fund Large Project grant to establish information kiosks along major trail routes in W. Seattle. This proposal is consistent with MoCA neighborhood plan. Kiosks may contain space for neighborhood history and community bulletin boards. For more information, note web-site at westseattlewalks.org. Maps of the 88 miles of W. Seattle trails will be available within 4 weeks.

Neighborhood Entry Signage - MoCA signs could be placed at up to 5 locations on major entry points to neighborhood. Volunteers are sought for artistic layouts.

            Each sign would cost ca. $300.

Myrtle Reservoir Park / Skateboard facility - Virginia Hassinger, Project Planner

Schematic design for the park facilities around the lidded reservoir, including a pathway around park, public gathering space and entrance at NE corner, and an rea designated for future development of a skatepark. Although there is no current money or design for the skatepark feature, the area is being set aside for eventual development. After considerable discussion, the MoCA board will send a letter to the Parks & Recreation Dept., taking issue with the process that led to the establishment of a skateboard facility at Myrtle Reservoir. Additional public review of the Myrtle Reservoir Park plan will take place May 1 (7:00 to 8:30), at the High Point Community Center. For more information, contact This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , 233-7936.

 
Next meeting: Wednesday, July 16, 7:00 pm at The Kenney   

The following letter was recently sent by MOCA to Mr. Kevin Stoops of the Seattle Parks and Recreation Department regarding the siting of a future skatepark at the Myrtle Street Reservoir site. The reason for the letter is in response to a presentation at the April 16 MOCA meeting by Virginia Hassenger, project manager of the Myrtle Reservoir project, that it was her understanding that a decision had been made by the Parks Department that the future skatepark site for West Seattle will be at the Myrte site if funding becomes available.  

MoCA
The MorganCommunity Association

April 17, 2008

Mr. Kevin Stoops

Seattle Parks and Recreation

100 Dexter Ave. N.

Seattle, WA 98109-5199

Dear Mr. Stoops,

The development of the Myrtle Street Reservoir park project is now taking place within the neighborhood of the Morgan Community Association(MoCA). We are aware that construction is already under way to enclose the reservoir itself, and that plans have been developed to create peripheral public park space surrounding that reservoir. We are grateful to your department in the development of those plans.

It is our understanding that a decision has been made by theParks and Recreation department to locate a future skateboard facility (if funding becomes available) at the Myrtle Park site. It had been our understanding that a public process would be used to make a final decision onthe site. While we are not necessarily opposed to a facility at the Myrtle location, we are concerned that a public process for evaluating the merits ofthe Myrtle reservoir site, and the High Point Community Center site has not been conducted.

Please inform us if, in fact, a final decision has been made between these options. If so, who made the decision, and what were the factors that led to the decision to locate the skateboard facility at the Myrtle Street location? If not, what process will your office follow in making that determination.  Thank you for your time in this matter.

Sincerely,

Steve Sindiong, MoCA Chair

Eldon Olson, Secretary   

Morgan Community Association Quarterly Meeting, February 7, 2008 (7:00 pm) at The Kenney
 
Steve Sindiong, Presiding
 
Attending: 5 guests (Mark Knoll, Virginia Hassinger, Jack Latteman, Christine   Alar, Beth Gappert), 5 MoCA Council members (Sindiong, Redmond, Olson, Fansler, Barker), 4 from neighborhood
 
Announcements, Updates
o       SW District Council notes:

1. The Alaska Way Viaduct Open House will be Feb. 12 (5:30 gathering, 6:30 meeting) at Cooper School (on Delridge) re. construction, interim arrangements, etc.
2. Seattle Department of Transportation will be conducting studies of 6 selected neighborhoods per year re. parking concerns, commercial zone parking, neighborhood long-range planning needs. W. Seattle Junction study will tale place this year, Morgan Junction neighborhood in 2010.

o       Transportation Projects from the Seattle Cumulative Reserve Fund which have been approved for  Morgan neighborhood for 2007 are:

Electronic Speed Display signage for Fauntleroy Ave (2 units)

Improvements to Solstice Park - lighting, access, picnic tables, safety

Applications are now being taken for 2008 projects. Previously requested items include:

1.      Pedestrian improvements for Morgan Park,

2.      Pedestrian improvements for access to Orchard St. Ravine Park,

3.      Sidewalk on West side of 44th Ave SW, South of Othello,

4.      Improvements of bicycle lane from Morgan Junction to Beach Drive.  

Other suggestions will be welcomed by members of neighborhood council; contact Steve Sindiong: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , or Cindi Barker: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

o       For comments, information re. SW Precinct , public safety, contact Beth Gappert ( This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ), Seattle precinct Liaison Program.

o       The Gatewood School Centennial Festival in May. Alumni are encouraged to contact Celia Townsend ( This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ). Plans will feature an Open House for the School.

o       Plans are under way for a 2008 Morgan Community Carnival/Festival next Summer. Funds are available to persons who might coordinate planning and programs. Contact MoCA Council.  

 

Live Work Units: Mark Knoll of Knoll Development, presented plans for 14 Live/Work  units being developed nr. Graham & California (6021 California SW). These units are constructed under newly created city codes that call for combined business and residential use. Initially designed for artists' studios, small ground-floor business units have commercial standards (access, sprinklers, bathrooms, etc.) with upstairs residences. Parking needs depend on the nature of the business. Construction will begin in Fall, 2008. Other similar developments will also be taking place at nearby location.

 

Morgan Junction Park: Virginia Hassinger (Seattle Park Dept.) presented the single design proposal that has been developed from initial community meetings.     Although the design calls for improvements that are currently beyond the budget allocation, there may be additional funds available to complete construction as planned. The plan calls for a plaza area, surrounding green space, perhaps a neighborhood kiosk, with an 8 ft. trellis/arbor along West side. Full plan will be presented at a March 12 public meeting (7:00 pm at The Kenney). Members of the community are encouraged to write the Parks Department with support of full funding for the project.   Question: Will there be space for 'public art'? Yes - to be discussed at 3/12/08 meeting.

 

Rapid Ride Project: Jack Lattemann ( This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ), transportation    Planner for KC Metro presented plans for Rapid Ride services to be developed along current route of #54. This will be one of 5 Rapid Ride routes implemented within Seattle within 3-5 years. W. Seattle Rapid Ride will begin Sept. 2011.Features will be: fibre-optic cable for communication at all stops, more frequent service (every 10 minutes at rush hours, every 15 minutes during daytime and evening), fewer stops, traffic management (signal light coordination), 3-door buses (using pre-paid smart-card system), more security personnel.    Unresolved issues: whether the Southern terminus will be at the Ferry dock or at Westwood Village; route through Alaska Junction and Avalon junction areas. West Seattle Rapid Ride Public Meeting, Southwest Library (9010 - 35th SW), Feb. 19 (6:00 to 7:30)   Question: re. traffic flow and designated bus lanes? The routes will follow "most expeditious' patterns, changing with phases of the Alaska Viaduct  construction project.  For further traffic information, contact Seattle Dept. of Transportation, Christine Alar: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

 

West Seattle Trails Project: Charles Redmond presented plans for a 'draft edition' of an 18X24 folding map of W. Seattle area (trails, routes, bus connections, etc.) with  listing of local community organizations. Suggestions will be welcomed for  construction of the final edition. There will be public review meetings before the final edition is published.  Suggestion: Need to bring community together for greater planning on trails,  walkways, issues of safety and convenience.  For more information, contact This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

 

Next Meeting: April 16, 7:00 The Kenney

From the 2nd Myrtle Reservoir Park design meeting held Jan 22, 2008.  Here are the two conceptual drawings of the proposed park design for the Myrtle Reservoir Park. The main difference is that one has a rain garden feature in the northeast corner, and the other shows space reserved for a future skatepark (funding is not available at this time to construct the skatepark).  We will sent out the link to the meeting minutes when posted by the Parks Dept and to any other sets of minutes that are published (people from the WS Blog and MoCA were also taking notes).

Cindi

Virginia Hassinger, Project Manager
Seattle Parks and Recreation
800 Maynard Ave S.  3rd floor
Seattle, WA 98134-1336
206-233-7936

Cindi Barker's Meeting Minutes #2, 01/22/2008  Myrtle Reservoir Park Meeting Minutes #2 - Cindi Barker (47.61 kB) 

Parks Meeting Minutes #2, 01/22/2008  Myrtle Reservoir Park Meeting Minutes #2 - Parks (49.62 kB)

Nakano Meeting Minutes #2, 01/22/2008  Myrtle Reservoir Park Meeting Minutes #2 - Nakano (69.9 kB) 

PDFs:  Myrtle Reservoir - Concept A (714.08 kB)   Myrtle Reservoir - Concept B (1.84 MB)