Showing posts sorted by date for query ronald bog. Sort by relevance Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by date for query ronald bog. Sort by relevance Show all posts

Shoreline Parks / Tree board to discuss Ronald Bog easement

Sunday, April 22, 2018


Regular meeting Thursday, April 26, 2018, 7:00 - 9:00pm
City Hall Room 303


The Parks Board will discuss the Ronald Bog Park Wetland Easement and the Park Concept Design Study at their meeting on Thursday.

Wetland easement background - documents here
In February and April of 2017 the PRCS/Tree Board provided input and concurred with the staff recommendation to allow Sound Transit proposal to the create new wetland and wetland buffer in Ronald Bog Park as mitigation for unavoidable wetland impacts within the same Thornton Creek sub-basin for construction of the Lynnwood Link Light Rail Extension (LLE) Project

Park Concept Design background - documents here, start with p. 18
Shoreline’s 2017-2023 Parks, Recreation and Open Space (PROS) Plan lays the groundwork for parks, recreation and cultural services for many years to come.

PROS Plan Strategic Action Initiative #3: Expand Recreation Facility Opportunities establishes a goal of providing new park amenities by 2023. In addition, the six-year Capital Improvement Plan (PROS Plan Table 6.5) prioritizes a list of parks for improvements by 2023.

The Parks Concept Design Project is intended to engage the community in creating a more detailed design for selected parks in order to facilitate developing a funding plan for implementation of park improvement.



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Insurance Commissioner: Flood insurance

Wednesday, March 7, 2018

Photo courtesy City of Lake Forest Park 2011
From the Office of the Insurance Commissioner

Homeowner and commercial insurance policies typically do not cover flood damage.

If your property is located in a flood-prone area (a "Special Flood Hazard Area"), your lender will likely require you to have flood insurance.

Even if you live in a minimal or moderate flood hazard area, you may still want to buy flood insurance.

Flood insurance is widely available through FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) 

You can check your flood risk by contacting your local insurance agent.

There are, however, limits to federal flood insurance. For commercial structures, for example, the NFIP maximum is $500,000 for the building and $500,000 for the contents. Even small businesses may need supplemental coverage.

National Flood Insurance Program policies go into effect 30 days after the policy is written, unless the policy is required to qualify for a mortgage.

Surplus line policies typically don't have a waiting period.

Ronald Bog about to overflow its banks
Photo by Janet Way
If you have a flood:
  • Don't attempt to drive through flooded roadways.
  • Check for structural damage before re-entering your home or business. Flood-damaged buildings can collapse. Be cautious about gas leaks or energized wiring in flooded basements.
  • If you have damage, call your insurer or agent.
  • Take photos or video. Make a list of lost or damaged items.
  • Even if you didn't have flood insurance, you may qualify for some federal emergency grants or loans.
  • Talk to your insurer before making permanent repairs or disposing of damaged property.
  • Save receipts from any mitigation efforts (sandbags, pumps, etc.) for possible insurer reimbursement.
  • If you have to move, make sure your insurer or agent has a way to reach you.
  • Save receipts for temporary repairs, temporary housing, food, etc.

Other information:



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Bog Dweller: Goslings on the Bog

Thursday, March 1, 2018

Photo by Martin DeGrazia

It's just a little too early for goslings - this family is from last year. But spring is coming and new babies with it.

Bog Dweller Martin De Grazia captured this charming photo of a family of Canadian Geese escorting their goslings around Ronald Bog in central Shoreline (N 175th and Meridian).



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Photo: Denizens of Ronald Bog

Sunday, February 18, 2018

Photo by Martin DeGrazia

This moment of cuteness is brought to you by Bog dweller Martin DeGrazia, who knows all the denizens of Ronald Bog on a first name basis. I think this little one is flirting with him - note the saucy angle of the head.
DKH



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Photo: Blue Heron at The Bog

Sunday, February 4, 2018

Blue heron at The Bog
Photo by Martin De Grazia

Martin De Grazia takes wonderful wildlife photos at The Ronald Bog - I need to publish more of them. this is one he took in 2012 of a Blue Heron in the shallow waters.

DKH


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Volunteers head west along Thornton Creek to remove invasive weeds

Wednesday, December 13, 2017

Volunteers at Twin Ponds south

The southern end of Twin Ponds Park will be the site of a volunteer work party on Saturday, December 16 from 10:00am to 1:00pm, rain or shine.

Shoreline citizens have embarked on an effort to restore native habitat along Thornton Creek in Twin Ponds Park. With new trees established by volunteers in November, workers will move westward along the creek to other areas overcome with weeds.

Everyone is invited to come work along First Avenue one block North of NE 149th St across from Aegis Assisted Living at the southern part of the park. The project site is adjacent to the parking lot near 149th St.

Stewards trained in environmental restoration by the Washington Native Plant Society have been leading efforts to recover valuable habitat along Thornton creek. Volunteers have removed enough weeds to fill more than two large dumpsters.

This riparian and wetland area once sheltered spawning salmon. This fall as the weeds were removed, valuable native plants that still survive were revealed.
Volunteers have found licorice fern, lady fern and wild lily of the valley, plus water parsley that grows in the stream with salmonberry shrubs and willow trees nearby. Perhaps small mammals, fish, amphibians and reptiles will find the stream area habitable again. Birds and pollinating insects should also increase.
River otters in Ronald Bog.
Otters have appeared in Twin Ponds.
Photo by Martin De Grazia

Recently, river otters showed up in the park. This may become a spot where park visitors can experience a more natural environment with an opportunity for study and learning about wildlife habitat. 

If our restoration goals are to be met, we will need regular help from local citizens and neighbors. We hope you are able to join us on Saturday.

Please dress in warm layers. Bring water, boots, rain gear, work gloves and your own tools if you have them. Some gloves, tools, light snacks and water will be provided. Park near 149th Street near the southern end of the park across from Aegis Assisted Living. Parking lot may be full. (Avoid the lot at 155th St.) Contact us at twinpondssouthhabitat@gmail.com to let us know you are coming or for questions you may have.

This project is sponsored by the Shoreline Department of Parks and Recreation, King Conservation District and the Washington Native Plant Society.



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Augmented Nature exhibition explores nature, art, and technology in Shoreline Parks

Monday, December 11, 2017

Big Brother plays a video at night
Photo by David Francis

Augmented Nature exhibition explores nature, art, and technology in Shoreline Parks.

This temporary outdoor art exhibition, located in several public parks in Shoreline, explores the boundary between nature, art, and technology.

As a means of celebrating the years of planning and fundraising that went into the project, City of Shoreline will host an artists’ reception at City Hall Shoreline on Thursday, December 14, 2017, from 6:30 – 8:30pm, 17500 Midvale Ave N, Shoreline, 98133, E-line bus or free parking in the City garage.

Funded in part by a grant from 4Culture, the project features the work of five artists working in collaboration on a variety of installations. Images and videos from the installations will be displayed on monitors in the lobby along with light refreshments.

Big Brother at night
Photo by David Francis
Big Brother, an experimental, solar-powered video projection installed at Shoreview Park, 700 NW Innis Arden Way, 98177, by Alan Fulle and Workshop 3d with daily screenings at 4:30, 5:00, 5:30, and 6:00pm through May 30, 2018

Faux-Forest Service Signs, three wooden signs on posts made by Joel Kennedy that when viewed with a downloadable app provides additional augmented reality content (Workshop 3d), including a sweeping historical panorama called Known Unknowns by Ken Winnick; through May 30, 2018 at Shoreview Park, 700 NW Innis Arden Way, 98177.  

Known Unknowns
Known Unknowns uses a combination of historical and contemporary photographs to create a synthetic panorama that tells a hyperlocal story of the area around Shoreview Park.

Many Colors of Green: Shoreline, an ongoing project by City Meditation Crew that crowdsources iPhone imagery with meditative walking (Hamlin, Ronald Bog, South Woods Parks); additional support from Michigan Technical University.

There are actually at least three distinct displays at the park,
1) The movie in the trees,
2) "known unknowns" synth pano
3) Ice age AR, down in the woods.



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Public Works taking it slow for new maintenance facilities

Tuesday, December 5, 2017

Part of the North Maintenance Facility will be
converted to an open channel creek and flood storage
Photo by Steven H. Robinson


By Diane Hettrick


After failing to obtain approval for a consolidated maintenance facility in Hamlin Park, the Shoreline Public Works department is reassessing and evaluating the properties available to them.

The plan now is to divide resources between multiple areas rather than consolidating as a single facility.

Public Works Director Randy Witt says, "Following guidance from the City Council we are looking at the existing properties for locating city maintenance facilities. 
"Currently, we are considering which operations can go to which property, what improvements are necessary to support operations at the different properties, and what the capital and operating costs would be for each of the properties."

The department can utilize four existing City properties for long-term City maintenance operations.

The properties are:
  1. Hamlin Yard (current maintenance facility site),
  2. North Maintenance Facility near Brugger's Bog Park
  3. Brightwater Portal Property on Ballinger Way
  4. Ronald Wastewater District property on Linden

The Brightwater Portal property on Ballinger Way is being leased to the US Postal Service for up to two years as parking for their postal delivery vans. The City retains ownership of the property.

The North Maintenance Facility on 25th NE next to Brugger's Bog Park will be reduced in size under current plans to develop an open channel creek and flood storage area through the site. Assuming the City Council approved construction, it's possible that the remainder of the current facility could be used a maintenance function.

Witt says, "We expect to report our findings and recommendation to the Council this coming summer."



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Photo: Blondie

Tuesday, November 21, 2017

Photo by Bruce Hill

I just realized that I don't think of ducks as birds. Birds are those speedy little creatures darting around the trees checking for bugs, taking baths in bird baths and puddles, and eating from colorful bird feeders.

Ducks are big and noisy and use lakes for their baths. They're like the tamest, calmest form of wildlife. They don't eat your cats like the coyotes do, steal your fish catch or raid your pond like the otters do. They don't eat your tulips, or munch on your garden like the deer do.

In fact, they usually stay out of your yard, and you have to go to them at Echo Lake, Ronald Bog, Twin Ponds, Bitter Lake, and the catchment pond at the I-5 interchange.

They have adorable, clumsy babies who fall down sewers and have to be rescued. They march their babies across busy roads, halting traffic.

They're noisy and if there are too many of them, they can leave a serious amount of poo behind.

But they are pretty and entertaining to watch. They are in a special category of their own.

--Diane Hettrick


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City Council takes Hamlin Park off the maintenance facility list as supporters pack the Council meeting Monday

Tuesday, October 10, 2017

Ridgecrest resident Janet Way organized the opposition
joined by dozens of residents from all over the city.
The Beck family, mother Veronica, son Otto, and daughter Etta
made their own signs.
Photo by Wayne Pridemore

By Diane Hettrick

Every seat was taken at the Shoreline City Council meeting Monday, October 9, as Hamlin Park supporters rallied to express their opposition to the proposal to clear cut several acres of Hamlin Park for a public works maintenance facility.

Hamlin Park is an 80 acre forest on 15th NE in Shoreline, north of the Fircrest facility and Public Health Lab.

Residents showed up to the council meeting October 9
Photo by Wayne Pridemore


The public works and parks department are struggling with inadequate facilities, small spaces which are spread throughout the city. They are increasing hours for maintenance staff, from part-time to full-time. They are planning for the assumption of Ronald Wastewater staff and equipment.

They are also planning for space to assume the Shoreline portion of the Seattle Public Utilities water department - a plan which has been on hold since Ed Murray was elected Seattle's mayor.

Brugger's Bog property in 2013
Photo by Steven H. Robinson


Public Works, under previous leadership, led the city to purchase and shut down a King county maintenance facility on 25th NE just off Ballinger Way. Plans were made to use it as the primary maintenance yard. It has now been decided that the site is inadequate, on wetlands, and far too close to Brugger's Bog and Ballinger Creek, which is proposed for daylighting.

Staff were tasked with evaluating potential sites, all on city-owned land. The goal was to have space for staff, for all the public works and parks maintenance trucks, a fuel station, washing station, and all the supplies, such as sand and gravel.

Current one acre maintenance yard at Hamlin Park
Photo courtesy City of Shoreline


Sites under consideration were Keough Park (briefly), Brugger's Bog, Ballinger Portal, Hamlin Park, and sometimes the Ronald Wastewater property (after the assumption into the City). It was clear that Hamlin Park was the favorite because it was potentially the largest.

People lined up to speak against the proposal
Photo by Wayne Pridemore

However, it would have meant expanding the current one acre site to four acres, clear cutting the trees and pouring concrete. It would also have meant cutting a new road through the trees.

It was a suggestion in conflict with the city's role as a Tree City, the Parks department goal to acquire more park space, the King County Million Tree initiative, and the City's own initiatives to combat climate change.

Ridgecrest resident Gini Paulson said that preservation
of trees and greenbelts are important to
Shoreline's future generations
Photo by Wayne Pridemore
Ironically, at the same time that Shoreline was considering cutting several acres of forest, Lake Forest Park was raising money to purchase five acres of forest in their city.

Shoreline council members heard from citizens opposed to the Hamlin Plan. Save Hamlin Park signs sprinkled the city. And Monday's council meeting was packed.

At Monday's meeting, Councilmember Jesse Salomon introduced a resolution to take Hamlin Park off the list. The council members voted unanimously in agreement.



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Rally Friday protested recommendation for maintenance facility in Hamlin Park

Saturday, August 12, 2017

Residents rally against use of Hamlin Park
for Shoreline Maintenance facility


By Diane Hettrick

The Shoreline Public Works department wants to consolidate all its operations in one location. This would include large commercial vehicles, decant, salt and sand for snow and ice operations, dumpsters and bins for bulk materials storage. Also a fuel station and wash facilities for large commercial vehicles.

At the July 31 City Council meeting study item on the topic, staff recommended Hamlin Park.

Hamlin Park lies between 15th NE and Shorecrest / Kellogg schools on 25th. It is forest, rather than a park, full of walking trails, and deeply loved and heavily used by the community.

The sites under consideration were:

1. North Maintenance Facility on 25th NE next to Brugger's Bog. It is deemed to be too small and too close to critical wetlands and a stream.

2.  Ballinger portal. This is land next to the now finished Brightwater portal. It lies on Ballinger Way in the business district and is unused.

3.  Ronald Wastewater on 175th and Linden. Some equipment is kept there now, but the site too small for a consolidated facility.

4.  Keough Park. This is a large and mostly unused park that lies right next to I-5 at about N 167th.

5.  Buying unspecified property in Shoreline.

Not considered was an offer by North City Water District to co-locate at their new property at 155th and 15th NE at the site of the former Northwest Church.

The site plans include space to house facilities for Seattle Public Utilities water in Shoreline, in spite of the fact that negotiations for Shoreline to take over that part of the water district stopped when Mayor Murray was elected in Seattle. See previous article.

The decision is up to the City Council at this point.



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Annual Rotary maintenance work event in the Shoreline Rotary Conifer Arboretum

Sunday, July 9, 2017

Shoreline Rotary members maintain the
Rotary Conifer Arboretum in Ronald Bog


Members of the Rotary Club of Shoreline held their annual maintenance work event at the Shoreline Rotary Conifer Arboretum in Ronald Bog Park on Saturday July 8, 2017.

The work completed by members included cleaning of the Kiosk, weeding the sedums on the Kiosk roof, trail maintenance, installation of trunk protection on newer trees, watering of trees, and general clipping and pruning of vegetation.

The weather was great and the members had an enjoyable outing. Future projects in the Arboretum were scoped out.

The Rotary Club of Shoreline, in 1991 initiated projects in the park including flower bulb and tree plantings. In 1997, the Shelter was constructed by the Shoreline Breakfast Rotary Club.

About 10 years ago, the Kiosk was constructed and there was a City of Shoreline dedication involving community leaders including Rotarians.

Over the years, many native conifer tree species have been planted in the Arboretum. Also, a walking path has been constructed throughout the site.

In collaboration with the City of Shoreline, recently a change was made on the entrance sign to include Rotary and the ‘wheel’. Rotary is now connected to the Arboretum including the Kiosk. 

Annually, Rotary volunteers maintain the Arboretum including the Kiosk.

This year volunteers included Rotarians Dick Nicholson and Diane Pottinger (Shoreline Rotary Parks / Environmental team leaders); Robert Brouillard, Ray Coffey, Bill Forney, Bob Hauck, Leonid Kisselev, Bill and Judy MacCully, Andrew Thurman, and Angie Yu.

The Community is encouraged to come out and enjoy the Arboretum located at 2301 N 175th St, Shoreline.

--Dick Nicholson




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Second Public Open House for Shoreline 2017 Surface Water Master Plan

Wednesday, July 5, 2017

Ronald Bog in 2014
Photo by Janet Way
Thursday, July 13, 6:00 to 8:00pm, Shoreline City Hall Council Chamber, 17500 Midvale Ave N, 98133.

The City of Shoreline Surface Water Utility is preparing the 2017 Surface Water Master Plan to address drainage and water quality challenges associated with growth, increasing regulations, and aging infrastructure.

The Master Plan will guide the Surface Water Utility for the next five to ten years and includes recommendations for capital improvements, programs, and a financial plan for long-term asset management.

The open house will feature an update on the Master Plan progress and there will be an opportunity for the public to provide input on the Utility Management Strategy and to provide feedback on improvements and priorities for the next five to ten years.

It will also provide customers with a general understanding of the Utility and an opportunity for the City to listen to the community, solicit innovative ideas, and receive public input regarding their concerns and experiences.

A key objective of the Master Plan is to identify improvements that will help the Utility meet levels of service that reflect the expectations of customers and that are appropriately in line with Utility rates. This requires a clear understanding of customers’ needs, expectations, and preferences.

The Surface Water Utility is also seeking feedback via a questionnaire from customers on their understanding of the Surface Water Utility, services, and current expectations of levels of service.

The questionnaire is available online and in person at a workstation during the open house. The questionnaire will remain online until July 16 at 5:00pm.

Learn more at the Surface Water Master Plan page.

7-7-17 Updated with link to survey



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For the Birds: Who has black birds? Shoreline has black birds!

Sunday, May 7, 2017

Common Raven Photo by Alexandra MacKenzie

By Christine Southwick

When you think of black-colored birds, do you think of Crows and Ravens? Shoreline has both.

Most everyone knows the “I’d rather-hop-than-fly” antics of the road-cleaning American Crow. These black birds “Caw”, have a smooth-looking throat, and squar-ish tail. They are usually seen with several other crows, and roost by the thousands every night at the Community College in Bothell. In the mornings they fly from the roost to their apparently designated foraging locations for that day, before returning each evening for their nightly social exchanges.

American Crow
Photo by Christine Southwick
I have only heard Common Ravens here in Shoreline during spring and fall, but they can be found year round throughout the state. Ravens can weigh four times as much as crows.

They have extra feathers on their throats making their throats look shaggy; have a wedge-shaped tail, and are usually seen with their mate, or solitarily, but not in flocks.

They avoid congested urban areas since they prefer quieter places — coastlines, high cliffs, and tall trees are good places to look/listen for ravens. They can be found eating large road-kill. The most reliable ID for most people is hearing their loud, usually resounding “Gronk”. Crows can’t make that sound. Ravens in flight will soar, whereas crows don’t.

Red-winged Blackbird, male Photo by John Riegsecker
Shoreline does have real Blackbirds —Brewer’s Blackbirds and Red-winged Blackbirds.

Red-winged Blackbirds are seen in wetlands in the spring. Look/listen for them at Cromwell Park and Echo Lake, our two biggest cattail wetlands.

Paramount Open Space and Ronald Bog, or any other wild damp area could have Red-winged Blackbirds. The males puff up their red and yellow epaulets to impress the dark brown-streaked females and warn away other male Red-winged Blackbirds.

Brewer's Blackbird, male by Stephanie Colony
Brewer’s Blackbirds are here all year long. I usually notice them in the winter gleaning who-knows-what from the asphalt of local parking lots. They eat insects, grains and seeds.

Our local population increases in the winter with Canadian populations flying westward to enjoy our milder winter climate. The males are the handsome ones with glossy feathers reflecting black, midnight-blue, purple, and greens.

They have bright yellow eyes and often have a pugnacious attitude. Being comfortable around humans, they will turn and stare at you, but they are not aggressive. The females are gray-brown with a dark tint, have dark eyes, and are often under-appreciated next to those handsome males.



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Shoreline Parks board Thursday

Tuesday, April 25, 2017

Kayu Kayu Ac Park
Photo by Steven H. Robinson
Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services / Tree Board Regular Meeting, Thursday, April 27, 2017, 7:00 - 9:00pm, City Hall Room 303, 17500 Midvale Ave N. 98133

 Agenda Highlights

  •     Election of Chair and Vice-Chair (Action)
  •     Annual Reports by Community Partners
  •         Shoreline Historical Museum
  •         Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Arts Council
  •         Kruckeberg Botanic Garden
  •     Ronald Bog Park Wetlands Proposal (Action)
  •     Synthetic Turf Infill Material (Action)
  •     Draft PROS Plan Distribution

Link to the Community Calendar for the full agenda and packet materials

Comment on Agenda Items



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Public Art City of Shoreline #7: The Ponies

Thursday, April 13, 2017

Photo by Steven H. Robinson


City of Shoreline Public Art Collection
2301 N 175th St.
Anonymous Donation 1998

Ponies  Artist Unknown. Cast bronze

The ponies were donated to the City with the stipulation that they be placed in a highly traveled, but park-like location. Ronald Bog Park as a passive-use, natural environment along a busy thoroughfare is the perfect place for the public to view this artwork.

--Text courtesy City of Shoreline



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The future of Ronald Bog - meeting Thursday

Tuesday, April 11, 2017

Ronald Bog meadow
Photo by Martin deGrazia


Thursday Meeting About Future of Ronald Bog Park, N 175th and Meridian

This Thursday, April 13, 7pm-8:30pm, in Shoreline City Council Chambers at City Hall, the Shoreline Parks Recreation and Cultural Services and Sound Transit will present plans for transforming a portion of Ronald Bog Park into protected wetlands.

The public is encouraged to attend and give comment.

Potential plans could include

  • closing most of the grass meadow to foot traffic
  • relocating the “Kiss” sculpture
  • removing, rebuilding, and relocating the shelter by the lake
  • possibly building footpaths running parallel to I-5 running north/south.


The proposed change to Ronald Bog Park is due to Sound Transit locating wetland mitigation there to replace wetlands being disturbed / removed near the fire station on 155th related to the elevated guideway.

Shoreline City Hall is located at 17500 Midvale Ave. N. For more information see the Sound Transit webpage or email Juniper Nammi at jnammi@shorelinewa.gov.



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Proposal to extend wetland at Ronald Bog - meeting Apr 13

Friday, March 31, 2017

Ronald Bog wetland to be extended
Photo courtesy SummerSet Arts Festival

The City of Shoreline and Sound Transit are proposing that the main meadow and portions of the lake of Ronald Bog Park be converted to a protected wetlands area with restricted public access.

Portions of the plans include:
  • the “Kiss” sculpture being re-sited elsewhere
  • the shelter by the lake being moved and rebuilt.

The Rotary-planted tree Arboretum on the east side of the park would remain accessible, and new walking / running trails might be built on the same side of the park, parallel to I-5.

The proposed change to Ronald Bog Park is due to Sound Transit locating wetland mitigation there to replace wetlands being disturbed / removed near the fire station in 155th related to the elevated guideway.

City of Shoreline residents are encouraged to attend a public meeting on this topic, to be held in Shoreline City Council Chambers on April 13th, 7pm-8:30pm, at City Hall located at 17500 Midvale Ave N.

For more information on the Lynnwood Link visit SoundTransit LLE, or about the wetland mitigation, email City planner Juniper Nammi


 

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Event for landowners living on freshwater shorelines

Monday, March 20, 2017

Ronald Bog
Photo by Martia DeGrazia
The King Conservation District is hosting ‘Beautify and Care for Your Streamside Property’ for landowners living on freshwater shorelines.

This event will be Thursday, March 23rd from 6:30 – 8:30pm at the Shoreline City Hall and is FREE and open to anyone.

17500 Midvale Ave N, Shoreline 98133.

More information and registration can be found here.



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Wild Creatures among us: Beavers and Mountain Beavers in Shoreline and Lake Forest Park

Wednesday, March 8, 2017

This female was trapped in Lake Forest Park's Hillside Creek
and relocated by Beavers Northwest
Photo by Kim Josund

By Christine Southwick

The beaver is North America's largest rodent and is built for life in the water. Adults can be up to four feet long and weigh over 60 pounds. The beaver has webbed hind feet and a large, flat, nearly hairless tail.

Photo by Jerry Cahill

It uses its tail to help maintain its balance when it is gnawing on trees. It will also slap its tail against the water to signal danger or to warn away predators.

The beaver has short front legs with heavy claws. Their rear legs are longer, and they use their rear webbed feet help propel themselves through the water. When the beaver is under water, its nose and ears close up and a special membrane covers its eyes.

Beaver at Magnuson Park
Photo by Scott Ramos

Beavers mainly eat tree barks. Beavers also eat other vegetation like roots and buds and other water plants. The beaver has a specialized digestive system that helps it digest tree bark.

Beavers mate for life, but if one mate dies, the other one finds another mate. Beavers mate when they are about three years old. Mating season runs from January and March in cold regions and in late November or December in the south.

Beaver lodge at Magnuson Park
Photo by Scott Ramos

Gestation lasts about three months, and females have one litter of kits a year between April and June. Before birth, the female makes a soft bed in the lodge. The babies' eyes are open when they are born, and they can swim within 24 hours of birth, and they will be exploring outside the lodge with their parents within a few days.

Young beavers are weaned in about two weeks. Both the male and the female take care of the young beavers. They stay with their parents for two years. Beavers can live to be 20 years old.

Locally, beavers are reported at Ronald Bog and Twin Ponds. The one who set up shop in Lake Forest Park was flooding school grounds with her dams and had to be relocated.

Mountain Beaver in Lake Forest Park
Photo by Craig Kerns

Mountain beavers live in moist forests, on ferny slopes, and are occasionally found in damp ravines in urban areas. Their worldwide range is the coastal lowlands and coastal mountains of southern British Columbia (from the Fraser Valley to the Cascade mountains), western Washington, western Oregon, and south into California.

  • Mountain beavers are herbivores and eat a wide variety of plants.
  • Food items include all above and below-ground parts of ferns, salal, nettles, fireweed, bleeding heart, salmonberry, brambles, dogwoods, vine maples, willows, alders, and conifers. Mountain beavers also eat rhododendrons and other ornamental perennials, shrubs, and trees.
  • Food items are eaten on site, temporarily stored outside burrow entrances, or placed in caches inside burrow systems (Fig. 4).
  • Mountain beavers will climb into trees to lop off living branches that are up to 1 inch in diameter.
  • Mountain beavers have primitive, inefficient kidneys and must drink 1/3 of their body weight in water every day.
  • Mountain beavers dig tunnels 6 to 8 inches in diameter throughout their territories, which may be 2 acres or more, depending on food and cover availability, and population density.
  • Tunnel systems, or burrow systems, are located in or near thick vegetation, and tend to radiate out from a nest site. Mountain beavers have been found using tunnels that are 10 feet underground.
Mountain Beaver in Lake Forest Park
Photo by Craig Kerns


Mountain beavers are abundant and active year-round, yet they are seldom observed due to their subterranean existence. Although active on and off throughout a 24 hour period, they are only occasionally seen wandering around on the ground or climbing in trees during daylight hours. They find the majority of their food and water within 150 feet of their burrows.

Besides Lake Forest Park, there are mountain beavers on the grounds of Shoreline Community College - and probably in The Highlands as well.



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