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Meeting Report

Parks and Trails Committee, Town of Steilacoom 12 Dec 2012, with Updates 2 Jan 2013

ATTENDANCE: Mark Burlingame, Chad Bickle, Tony Forsyth, Nancy Henderson, Mike Kirkpatrick, Gary Lentz, Ron Lucas, Rebecca Morris-Hill, Jim Senko DISCUSSION: Chad Bickle, founder of Greentech Excavation Company, stated he would like to donate his services to assist with development of connector trails in the Chambers Creek Properties/Oakbrook area. Since this area is not within Steilacoom Town limits, Nancy Henderson will assist him in contacting Mary Dodsworth, Parks and Recreation Director for Lakewood. Discussion included the growing interest in developing regional connector trails. (See TNT 2 Jan 2013 article: “Progress made on linking trails for University Place/Lakewood, http://www.thenewstribune.com/2013/01/01/2420670/progress-made-on-linking-trails.html. Parks Update Saltars Point Park The park has been closed since damage occurred 6 Sep 12 when a train struck a phone cable that had become dislodged from the north side of the pedestrian bridge, causing structural damage. The Town continues in discussions with Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad staff regarding repairs. Recommendations from a structural engineer the Town hired have been sent on to BNSF. Mark Burlingame is working with them on an operational level. The plan is to work cooperatively with BNSF to complete repairs to the trestle quickly and cost-effectively and to open the park as soon as possible. Farrells Marsh Five of the 8 trees planted in the spring by two high school students survived the dry summer and also the Christmas season. A bulletin board on the reverse side should soon be augmenting the new kiosk at the Chambers St. entrance. The mapping of trails is in progress. Pioneer Park Old man’s beard/traveler’s joy (Clematis vitalba) is problematic at the southern border of this park, as well as in other areas in town, now to include some areas in the Tunnel of Trees. An impromptu work party in November removed part of this aggressively spreading woody vine from part of the tree that was totally infested. An additional work party will be needed to remove this plant from the southern border of the park.

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Sunnyside Beach King tides are a natural phenomenon that occurs once or twice a year when the sun and moon’s gravitational pulls reinforce one another. They happen when the moon is closest to the earth. King tides 16-18 December did some erosion damage to the park shoreline as shown in the following photos. More king tides are scheduled to arrive 14-17 Jan 2013.

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Improvement of the park entrance, currently consisting of an almost barren mound, remains an excellent potential Eagle Scout project. Nancy contacted Andy Estep, Scoutmaster of Troop 71, to discuss the possibilities. They are busy through the Christmas season with tree sales. Pilings: Tony Forsyth contacted Jordanna Black, Restoration Specialist for the Aquatic Restoration Program of the Washington State Department of Natural Resources, regarding removal of pilings from the shore off Sunnyside Beach Park (see Parks Report of 30 Oct 12). The pilings may be removed simultaneously with removal of other derelict pilings a little further north. Ron Lucas stated he would add this item to the list of discussion topics with Pat McCarthy, the County Executive. Tony Forsyth plans to continue to stay in touch with the DNR. Planning for their next funding cycle begins in January, 2013. Tony mentioned that a long section of fence about 30-40 meters past the north end of the park has collapsed and is lying in the sand. Mark plans to look into this. Discussion continues on best location for installation of play toys at the park for children 2-5. The current play equipment is designed for children 5-12. There is ample lawn to the south of the current play toy, but this area is also used for games and expansion of parties with picnic tables. Installation of toys is another potential Eagle Scout project. Charlie’s Park Mark Burlingame will determine if there is any need to replace other parts of the boardwalk. Weber Court A new basketball net is in place. There is minimal deck wear from skateboarding. The parks regulation sign indicates that skateboarding is not permitted in the park.

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Recent storm drain enhancement on Lexington Street

Winter view of Jim Senko’s addition to

Cormorant Park

Mary Perkins Park The shelter is now finished. New picnic tables will be placed in the shelter in spring, as will two more “spring-type” toys for 2-5 year-olds. The high school National Honor Society has expressed interest in park enhancement with native plants. The wooden fence extension south of the new play equipment at a right angle to the current fence was deemed to be a good idea, serving as a barrier between the playground and the nearby road. Cormorant Park Jim Senko announced that someone removed the corkscrew willow placed in the center of the soggy area at the park which is difficult to mow. These trees are very adaptable to poorly drained soil and withstand both full-sun exposure and partial shade. Trees absorb large amounts of water and then release the water back into the atmosphere via transpiration. The purpose of this planting was to see if the standing water could be reduced. This tree should not obstruct views; it only grows to a height of 30 feet and was placed in a depression. Jim will plan to replant the tree and perhaps add some educational posting. Becky Morris-Hill has some red willows she can donate. The grate in this location tends to be clogged. There was some discussion regarding the best approach to management of the excessive water, with mention of grading, installation of a plastic liner with large rocks, and concerns that if such changes occurred, the storm water runoff might increase rather than be absorbed on site. The original concept for this land was to be a retention pond rather than a park. The Town will explore possibilities and make recommendations.

Ron stated that the Town can support the addition of a grill to the park near the picnic tables, and also a few items of play equipment for small children. In the first half of 2013 the Town plans to discuss with Gray & Osborn the placement of new underground wiring along the 1st St Trail. Some trail enhancements could take place at that time.

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Cherrydale Park In the near future the Town will contract Hunter Tree Service to remove any precariously hanging branches at the property cleared by the work party on 21 Oct 2012 at the corner of C St. and Old Military at Cherrydale Park. Backbone Trail This trail along the back of Madonna Park has some recent graffiti, a few inward leaning fences, and some weeds and stone obstacles. Members of the Division I Homeowners’ Association may be interested in a work party to enhance this trail. MISCELLANEOUS: Invasive Weeds In December, Nancy discussed knotweed eradication with Melissa Buckingham, Urban Conservation Program Coordinator for the Pierce Conservation District. The PCD has been highly involved with knotweed eradication and has a specialist, Rene, who would be available to map out with GPS the locations of the knotweed in Steilacoom. The PDC has used a method of bending it, and then having licensed personnel follow up by spraying the plants. Others contend that injection is more effective, but Melissa states that with large areas, their method has been effective and practical. They have 15 injection guns which they are able to loan out at no cost. Nancy will invite Rene to view the areas of infestation sometime in Feb or early March and to share information with us at a meeting perhaps in April, as the plants start to gain momentum. We should be ready when the timing is right to take action. Eagle Scout Projects There are several potential Eagle Scout projects involving parks and trails, such as: 1) enhancement of the entrance to Sunnyside Beach Park, 2) installation of play equipment, 3) installation of public trail signs throughout the Town, 4) development of trail markers within Farrells Marsh Park, and 5) construction of a trail along the length of the eastern side of Saltar’s Point Elementary School. Nancy will continue to promote these projects with local Scout leaders. Native Plant Salvage Program We need to develop our own plant salvage plan by determining and prioritizing needs for restoration, identifying suitable plants, and determining where we can obtain native plants with local resources. We require the assistance of Town staff to identify locations to be developed and to obtain approval to remove plants from those sites. Replanting time is upon us with the wet season at hand. There are several areas in Town pending development, such as Norberg Estates. Hopefully these sites will be available for plant salvage at the appropriate time.

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Trailer for Parks/Trails Plans are to obtain a trailer dedicated to community works projects to support work parties. The trailer could be organized with tools, gloves, eye protection, and dropped off on location by the town. All items could be returned to the trailer at the completion of the work party, and the trailer secured, to be picked up by Town staff later. High School Involvement Nancy has sent emails to John Campbell and Tyler Bartlett, Contemporary World Affairs educators at Steilacoom High School advising that the Town has projects available to assist students to fulfill the requirement to complete 4 hours of volunteer work. Last year students partnered with the Town to participate in 2 different parks/trails projects, and also were a great help at the Town clean-up in April. 42nd MP Brigade COL Chase will assume command of the 42nd MP BDE on 30 Jan 2013. Their last two projects involved chipping wood trails, but their skills can be well applied to a project requiring building skills. We are seeking suggestions for community enhancement projects for the MPs that would be appropriately challenging. Project Matrix A matrix will be created to assist us to identify our projects, prioritize them, clarify needed resources, and how many hours would be required to accomplish them.

Project Priority Date Comments Hours

Adopt a Trail or Area This would be worthy of promotion by residents who might like to adopt a particular area, such as a trail or trail segment or part of a park. We will work to identify areas that would be suitable, and also seek ways to publicize/promote this concept. TASKINGS: Mark Burlingame: 1) Assess condition of boardwalk at Charlie’s Park. Nancy Henderson: 1) Continue to contact Scout leaders re: Eagle Scout projects NEXT WORK PARTY: TBD NEXT MEETING DATE: Thursday, 7 Feb 2013, from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM at the Town Hall