Rootbound: Heaven & Earth IV

 Four Nobel Truths 
by Alan Fulle (Site 12)
Inspired by the significance of the 
Four Noble Truths, the primary teachings 
of Buddhist wisdom

One of the country's only outdoor art exhibits occurring in a public nature preserve, Rootbound: Heaven and Earth IV offers visitors a near 3-mile sculpture trail through Carkeek Park's canyons and creeks in northwest Seattle, highlighted this year by performance art and site-specific sculpture in 120-year old Piper's Orchard.

The Mediated Landscape 

by Unearth Collective (Site 10)

A series of film-covered, acrylic lenses through 

which to view Carkeek Park’s most frequently 

photographed landscape -

 Puget Sound, looking West.

Additional media include sound art, kinetic sculptures, and landscape interventions. All works are considered experimental: some are designed to last for the entire four month display period, June 23 - October 31, 2012, while others incorporate decay and erosion. The exhibit's themes offer a variety of perspectives on art and nature. Sponsored by Center on Contemporary Art (CoCa), Seattle Parks & Recreation, Carkeek Park Advisory Council, Seattle Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs, and 4Culture Site Specific, Rootbound features four returning artists and 14 new ones from around the Puget Sound, as well as Vancouver BC, California, and Oregon. 
Maps of the exhibit, along with tours of the artwork, artist appearances, and more, will be available at the Opening Reception, June 23, 2012, 2-5pm at the Environmental Learning Center, 950 NW Carkeek Park Rd., Seattle, WA 98177.  The exhibit is free and and draws and estimated 100,000 visitors to Carkeek Park.

Curated by David Francis, Fulbright Scholar, writer, archaeological field technician, and CoCA board member since 2005.

Artists include:
Seattle: Julie Lindell, Joe Reno, Miguel Edwards, Viewlands Group, Peppé, Brenda Scallon, Alan Fulle, Suze Woolf, Cameron Mason and Lara McIntosh, Josho Somine, Rebecca Maxim, Gary Golightly, The Unearth Collective; Bellevue and Sammamish: Fox Spears, Suzanne Tidwell; California: Judy Shintani; Oregon: Lee Imonen; Vancouver BC: Tiki Mulvihill. 


Click here for CoCA's website and to view/print maps of the exhibit.

Earth Day and Salmon Release - 2012

Join us for a day celebration of Earth Day at Carkeek Park!






In honor of Earth Day, Seattle Parks and Recreation are teaming up with the Carkeek Watershed Community Action Project, Seattle Public Utilities and the Carkeek Park Advisory Council to host the 32nd Annual Earth Day Celebration at Carkeek Park.  The party


Volunteers will work to clean up the park, stencil storm drains, and provide information to the community about the park and its surrounding watershed.


The work party will be from 8:30 AM until noon.  For more information or to volunteer, call 206-684-0877.


Then, at 7:00 PM, the celebrations continue with the annual release of chum salmon fry into Puget Sound.  The baby chum have been maturing in the Les Malmgren Memorial Imprinting Pond and will be release into Venema Creek, which connects to Piper's Creek, and then onto Puget Sound.

"Heaven and Earth" Returning to Carkeek Park

The Center on Contemporary Art (CoCA), in collaboration with the Carkeek Park Advisory Council and Seattle Parks and Recreation, will once again present an exhibit of outdoor art at Carkeek Park.


"Heaven and Earth 3:  Cycles of Return" will be on display throughout Carkeek Park from July 9, 2011 to October 9, 2011.

An Opening Reception will be hosted this Saturday, July 9, from 2:00 to 5:00 PM, at Carkeek's Environmental Learning Center, 950 Carkeek Park Road, Seattle, WA 98177.  The public is invited to meet "Heaven and Earth" artists and organizers and to tour the exhibit.

Additional funding from 4Culture's Site Specific program and the Mayor's Office of Arts and Cultural Affairs allows this year's exhibit to return with an expanded roster of artists -  a total of 20 to 25 displays of artwork from 21 individual artists.

A walking tour of Carkeek's "Heaven and Earth 3" takes about an hour and a half.  Some works can be seen in less time, including a variety visible from the access road.  Maps can be downloaded for free at CoCA's website beginning July 9.

As in previous years, "Heaven and Earth" focuses on our natural environment in a world of change. Participating artists present their interpretations of art and nature, leaving "no trace" following removal of their installation.  The artwork is constructed of mostly natural materials and is designed to have minimal impact on the park.  Installations will either decompose organically or will leave the park in the same state it was prior to installation.
Carkeek is widely considered one of Seattle's premier urban forests.


Sunset Magazine recently named Carkeek Park #3 among America's top 10 urban parks.  Seattle Parks and Recreation estimated that 150,000 people visited Carkeek Park during the "Heaven and Earth" display period last summer.

For more information on this event, contact David Francis at 206-283-4701 or via email at david@cocaseattle.org.

Master Forestry Class Coming to Carkeek Park

Starting July 9th, Carkeek Park will once again host a Master Forester Class to train skilled volunteers as urban forest stewards.

This 12-week course spans through the summer, fall and winter months and focuses on species identification, forest restoration and management, and knowledge of forestry tools.  Hands-on work includes removal of invasive plants, site preparation, planting, monitoring, tool maintenance, and developing a 3-year workplan for a section of the park.

This is the fourth such class offered at Carkeek Park, with previous classes run every other year since 2005.  The course will be led by Master Foresters Lex Voorhoeve and Loren McElvain.  (Loren is a graduate of Carkeek's first Master Forester class.)  Seattle Parks' Naturalist Brian Gay, who directed the first three Master Forester classes, will contribute where possible.

This year's class is full, but there is hope to run another installment in 2013.

Four Master Forestry Volunteers clearing Laurel bushes.

Successful completion of the Master Forestry course gives participants the necessary background to work as stewards in the urban forests of Seattle, support Seattle Parks Department in park maintenance, lead work parties of volunteers, and adopt sections of the park to observe and maintain.  

Click here to see a brochure from the 2009 Master Forestry Class at Carkeek Park. 

Today is Carkeek Park's Volunteer Recognition Day!

Volunteers of Carkeek Park - past and present - are welcome to join the Carkeek Park Advisory Council (CPAC) for a celebration of the collective efforts that better our Park.  CPAC will present information on how to continue improving the ecology at Carkeek Park.

This event takes place Saturday, June 11 from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the Carkeek Park Environmental Learning Center.

For more information, please call Nancy Malmgren at 206-363-4116.

Volunteers Needed for Work Day Party at Carkeek Park

Volunteers are needed for a work day party at Carkeek Park
Saturday, April 16th


Help celebrate the 31st Annual Earth Day at Carkeek Park and Piper's Creek Watershed by volunteering your environmental efforts at this event.   Youth groups, families and individuals welcome to participate.


8:45 AM to 11:00 AM
Work party includes stenciling storm drains, cleaning up of trash and recycling.


11:00 AM to 12:00
Activities include snacks, release of salmon and musical program.


Sponsored by Carkeek Park Advisory Council (CPAC), Restore Our Waters (Seattle Public Utilities) Carkeek  Watershed Community Action Project (CWCAP) and Seattle Parks and Recreation Department (SPRD).

For more information or to volunteer, call Nancy Malmgren at 206-363-4116.

Carkeek Park's EarthKeepers Summer Day Camp - 2011

EarthKeepers Returning to Carkeek Park this Summer!  

EarthKeepers is a environmentally-based summer day camp for exploring, learning and playing outdoors.  It offers activities for children ages 6 to 12 to foster friendship, learning, creativity and leadership.  EarthKeeper Educators have backgrounds in the natural

sciences/environmental education and experience working with school-age children.

What Do EarthKeepers do at Camp?

On any given day, EarthKeepers may find themselves exploring Carkeek Beach, hiking through the forest, playing in a field, learning about nature or creating art.  Each weekly has a different theme:

      Week 1 (June 27- July 1):  Wet & Squiggly Tidepool Wonders

      Week 2 (July 5 - 8):  Feathered Friends (no camp Monday, July 4)

      Week 3 (July 11-15):  Tidepools - Window to Puget Sound

      Week 4 (July 18-22):   Survivor Island

      Week 5 (July 25-29):  Buggin’ Out

      Week 6 (August 1-5):   Furs, Tails, Tracks & Trails

      Week 7 (August 8-12):   Carkeek’s Incredible Time Machine

      Week 8 (August 15-19):   Survivor Island

2011 Camp Cost:

The cost for each week of EarthKeepers Day Camp is $215, except Week #2 is

$175.00 (as there is no camp on Monday, 7/4). 

Early and Later  Camp Programming:

Parents can enroll children in Early Camp session (from 8:00 a.m.-9:00 a.m.) if an earlier starting time is needed.  The fee for Early Camp is $10 for the hour.  

Likewise, Later Camp is an option for families who need an extended day (from 4:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.). The fee for Later Camp is $10 for the hour.

For more information and registration, call 206-684-0877 or visit

http://www.seattle.gov/parks/environment/carkeek/earthkeepers.pdf

Viewlands Elementary Has New Principal

Viewlands Elementary School, located in the Broadview neighborhood of Seattle, is re-opening for the 2011-2012 school year.  Prior to closing, the school had a long and successful history with environmental education, in partnership with Carkeek Park and the Carkeek Park Advisory Council.


Below are letters from Viewlands' incoming principal, Lisa Escobar, and Seattle Public Schools' interim Superintendent, Susan Enfield, Ed.D.


Part of the vision of the "New Viewlands" is to continue environmental education.  More details to come.

A letter  from  Lisa Escobar, incoming Principal for Viewlands Elementary:

Dear families and students of Viewlands Elementary School,

It is with great enthusiasm that I write my first letter to you.  I am very excited about being your principal and I look forward to working with you to create a wonderful learning community that reflects your hopes, dreams and expectations for your child’s educational experience.

I bring many years of experience in public schools as a teacher and an administrator.  I have devoted my life to education as I believe it is the most important work I can do.  I believe in educating the whole child so that we have strong balanced leaders to move us forward into a sustainable future.  My favorite moments are visiting classrooms and participating in activities or teaching mini-lessons.  I am always amazed at the magic created in the classroom through the interactions between a student and a teacher. 

I have a strong background in elementary education, special education and bilingual education.  I look forward to sharing my expertise with an exceptional staff to ensure the success of all children at Viewlands Elementary School.  I am known as a collaborative and compassionate leader and I believe the partnership between families and communities are critical for the success of our children. 

As the mother of four children and the proud grandmother of a 20 month old granddaughter, I can honestly say I understand the importance of having a safe, positive school environment with a strong academic program.  I can assure you that we will work very hard to create the school community we all envision for our children.

I am planning a time that we can get together and actually meet face to face this spring.  Stay tuned for details on our first “get together.”  I look forward to meeting you!

Take care,

Lisa Escobar

A letter  from  Susan Enfield, Ed.D., Interim Superintendent

I believe that Ms. Escobar will make an excellent match for the Viewlands learning community, given her extensive classroom experience and strong educational leadership. Ms. Escobar has been an administrator in the Seattle Public Schools since 2004.  She has been a principal at Nova, The Center School and is currently co-principal at Rainier Beach High School. Her administrative experience also includes an elementary school principalship and assistant principal positions at the middle school level. Ms. Escobar is known as a creative and compassionate leader who is passionate about children. She is a “hands on” principal who believes in educating the whole child.  She is an effective instructional leader that has high expectations yet works collaboratively with her staff to deliver an innovative, child-centered curriculum.  She believes strongly in the involvement of family and community partnerships to create a rich educational program where all students thrive.

In addition to her service with Seattle Public Schools, she has been a classroom teacher at schools in Issaquah and districts in California.  Ms. Escobar taught general, special and bilingual education for several years at the elementary and secondary level and did her administrative internship at an elementary school.  She has a strong background in health, biology and chemistry with a passion for environmental science.  She believes strongly in creating a healthy school environment where students cultivate a love of learning and an awareness of their impact on the world around them.

Ms. Escobar received her degree in health science with minors in chemistry and biology from Chico State University, California.  She has a master’s degree in special education from San Jose State University, where her focus was on engaging Spanish-speaking parents in the IEP (individualized education program) process. She received her administrative credential from Chico State.

I look forward to working with Ms. Escobar to build a positive learning community at Viewlands that supports the success of all students. She will be in touch with you to set up opportunities to meet and get to know her, and to be involved in planning for a very successful program.

Security Contacts for Carkeek Park

For concerns regarding security in Carkeek Park, please contact the Community Police Team, Officer David Gordon at 206-684-0899

Officer Gordon is the best person to call first for questions about neighborhood police patrols, etc.

Non-Emergency Seattle Police Department: 206-675-5011

Emergency: 911

For Security Concerns related to Carkeek Park:

Seattle Parks Security: 206-684-7088 (During weekday working hours)

After 5:00 PM and on Weekends: Page the Parks Duty officer at 206-982-4583

"Salmon in the Classroom" Program May Be Saved

The "Salmon in the Classroom" project, recently eliminated due to city and state budget cuts, may return to Seattle Schools, thanks to Seattle City Council President Richard Conlin. 

Conlin announced that he has directed Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) to fund $10,000 to continue the program in Seattle Schools.  "Salmon in the Schools" has been in operation for 20 years, with an average of 495 Washington State schools participating each year, and is a staple in hands-on, environmental learning for schoolchildren.  

Every year, approximately 40,000 Washington State students learn about the salmon live-cycle through the "Salmon in the Classroom" project.

Eliminating the program will save $110,000 for the remainder of the 2010-2011 school year and a total of $442,000 over the next two years.  Under Conlin's plan, SPU will spend $10,000 to help nearly 50 Seattle schools maintain the program.

Still, with such a reduction in funding, the program needs help.  Volunteers will be needed to help train participants to retain the program. 

Click here to read Susan Gilmore's article in "The Seattle Times" published Sunday, 2/13/11.


Susan Gilmore, Seattle Times staff reporter, can be reached at:
206-464-2054 or sgilmore@seattletimes.com

Volunteer Opportunities at Carkeek Park

Love Carkeek Park?  Consider Volunteering!

In light of the recent elimination of staff and closures to Carkeek Park, volunteers are even more crucial to the survival of the park and its ecosystem.

Below are long-standing volunteer groups who help preserve and better our park.  

All welcome new members.  Descriptions and contacts are below:

Carkeek Park Advisory Council (CPAC) 

CPAC is a group of neighbors, community members and volunteers who support and enjoy Carkeek Park.  We work with Seattle Parks and Recreation in an advisory and supporting role.  We organize volunteer efforts through which many members of our community have contributed thousands of volunteer hours to improve the park in areas such as restoring salmon runs to Piper's Creek, trails improvement project, restoring Piper's Orchard, reforestation, and many others.

The council holds business meetings monthly, except in the summer months.  Most council work is done by its committee members, who plan, organize and carry out volunteer activities. 

--->  For more information or to volunteer, contact (206) 684-0877

Streams, Trails, and Reforestation Stewards (STARS)

If you enjoy Carkeek's trail system, these volunteers are especially to thank!

Work parties every 3rd Saturday of the month. 

--->  For more information or to volunteer, contact Dale at (206) 362-2980 or at    dalerayjohnson@comcast.net.

Friends of Piper's Orchard

Friends of Piper's Orchard is a group of neighbors, near and far, who love the Piper's Orchard in Carkeek Park.  We work together with the help of Seattle Parks and the Carkeek Park Advisory Council.  The Friends of Pipers Orchard web page is intended to foster community 

support for the Piper's Creek Orchard in Carkeek Park, sharing and preserving information about the orchard for it's betterment.

--->  For more information or to volunteer, contact Bob Baines at rbaines@q.com or volunteer online at pipersorchard@gmail.com.

Master Foresters

Master Foresters is a class for beginners and deals with the very basics of forest restoration:  Species knowledge (summer and winter characteristics), invasive removal, planting and monitoring, and knowledge of the tools and work technique involved.  The class is primarilarly for neighborhood residents who potentially become Forest Stewards in the park, but open places can be filled with city-wide participants.  A requirement is being able-bodied, as being a Forest Steward in Carkeek Park is a physically demanding hobby.  

UPCOMING 2011 CLASS:  Carkeek Park Forest Stewards Lex Voorhoeve and Loren McElvain, possibly joined by Brian Gay, Park Naturalist, consider starting a fourth Master Foresters Class in July 2011.  The project still needs approval from Parks.  The class will be spread out over 12 Saturdays between July 2011 and February 2012, and would run from 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM.  Cost is $40.

--->  For more information or to volunteer, contact Lex Voorhoeve lemar@w-link.net or at (206) 706-1009.

Carkeek Watershed Community Action Project (CWCAP)

Currently sponsors the following programs:  Salmon Feeders, Salmon Count Program, Salmon Stewards, Beach Docents, Demonstration Garden Volunteers, Earth Day and Salmon Celebration.

--->  For more information or to volunteer, contact Nancy at (206) 363-4116.

Weekday Workers (WEWO)

Special planting/care projects.  Weekday Workers are people who are sometimes available to volunteer during the week.  The work varies as needs arise in the park.  Typical activities are planting, invasive removal, clearing blocked trails.

--->  For more information or to volunteer, contact Loren McElvain at (206) 782-7617

or at l.j.mcelvain@gmail.com.

Friends of Llandover Woods (FoLW)

Friends of Llandover Woods has been in operation for about 6 years and is dedicated to preserving a peaceful 10-acre patch in Northwest Seattle.  FoLW is currently working on forest restoration plan created collaboratively with Seattle Urban Nature and participates in the Green Seattle Partnership (GSP) program.  FoWL holds regular 2nd Sunday of the month work parties year round.  These are also listed in both the Green Seattle Partnership Event's web page and Seattle Parks and Recreation Volunteer calendar.  

--->  For more information or to volunteer, contact Glenn Austin at (206) 364-9252 or at gaustin@path.org.

Service Learning Credits

Carkeek Park Caretakers welcome school and youth groups! Service Learning Credits can be given for any of the volunteer activities at Carkeek Park.  Please be sure to let the contact person for your project know about your need for credits.

Emergency Contact Numbers for Carkeek Park

Below are emergency contact numbers for Carkeek Park.  Please call any of the appropriate numbers if you witness anything suspicious at or around Carkeek Park:


Emergency (24 hours, 7 days per week)
911

Seattle Police Department Non-Emergency (24 hours, 7 days per week)
206-675-5011

Seattle Parks Security Office (Monday through Friday, 8AM - 5PM)
206-684-7088

Seattle Parks Security Duty Officer Pager (Weekdays after 5PM, weekends and holidays)
206-982-4583

Sad News...Drastic Cuts to Carkeek Park & Its Public Programs

The Seattle City Council took its final votes on the 2011-2012 budget last Friday. 

Unfortunately, as per a recent email from a Councilmember's Aide,

the Council DID NOT alter the Mayor’s proposal for 

Carkeek's Environmental Learning Center (ELC) and its public programs.  

Carkeek Environmental Learning Center WILL BE CLOSED to the public - 

and its public programs will NO LONGER CONTINUE - 

EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2011. 

Official announcement of these closures will be made Monday, November 22nd. 

Sadly, Here's what Seattle residents will loose because of this ill-guided decision:

·                    Carkeek Park and Llandover Wood trail maintenance & development

·                     Piper’s Creek Orchard care

·                     Carkeek Park Beach Docent Program

·                     Master Foresters Program

·                     Salmon Stewards Program

·                     Demonstration gardens

·                     Preschool environmental education programs (Tot Treks/Tyke Hikes)

·                     Senior environmental education programs 

·                     An outstanding staff Naturalist

And to make matters worse, in a surprise decision from the City Council,

The Carkeek ELC will be open for rentals ONLY. 

School day programs will NO LONGER CONTINUE at Carkeek Park.

School programs will continue ONLY at Discovery Park and Camp Long

The Parks Department states that it is reaching out to partners in the community that will hopefully be able to use the ELC for educational programming.  If you’d like to get more updates on this, please stay in touch with Councilmember Sally Bagshaw’s office, as she Chair’s the Council’s Parks Committee.


Contact information for Councilmember Sally Bagshaw is below:

	Sally Bagshaw Position: 4 In office since: 2010 Current term: 2010-2013 Chair: Parks & Seattle Center; and Alaskan Way Viaduct & Seawall Replacement Project Phone: (206) 684-8801 Email: sally.bagshaw@seattle.gov Staff: Kathy Nyland and Philip Roewe

Save Carkeek Park's "Nature Play" Program for Preschoolers!

There is, in our local Piper's Creek watershed, nestled between 

ferns and conifers and among Nature's critters, 

a Special Place for you and your child to explore and learn....

Carkeek Park's "Nature Play" (a.k.a "Tot Treks" or "Tyke Hikes") are engaging, outdoor adventures for preschoolers ages 2 to 5.  They are a wonderful mix of creative play and environmental education that forms a respect for Nature for a lifetime.  

Carkeek's "Tot Treks" run every Thursday morning from 10:00-11:15.  They are led by trained Naturalists who capture the interests of  children and adults alike.  So far this season we've learned about animal habitats, spiders, soil and plants, fall colors, salmon and much more.  

Recent Tot Trekkers helped restore parts of Carkeek Park by planting native species such as Low Oregon Grape and Western Hemlock.

The program has drawn hundreds of preschoolers in recent years and is a source of income for Seattle Parks and Recreation.

CARKEEK'S "TOT TREKS" PROGRAM,

HOWEVER, IS ON THE CHOPPING BLOCK AS PART OF THE MAYOR'S PROPOSED BUDGET CUTS FOR 2011.

This email came from a concerned mom regarding the proposed budget cuts to Carkeek Park's environmental education programs for preschoolers.  It was sent to the Seattle City Council and is posted here as well:

Dear Seattle City Council Members, 

I learned last week that Carkeek Park Environmental Learning Center will be closing its doors come January as a result of the Mayor's proposed budget for 2011.  I want to express my profound sadness and disappointment over this public service cut.

I am the mother of two young boys aged 3.5 and 1.5. We attend the Carkeek Park preschool program "Nature Play" weekly.  They love it!  They love the teachers, Stephanie and Brian.  They love running through the meadow.  They love hugging the trees.  They love learning about the salmon.  They love planting new Western Hemlocks in the tot garden.

How can we expect the next generation to care for the our home, planet earth, without having this kind of interaction with our outdoor world and nature?  I am of the opinion that this type of education and public service is priceless and what sets our community apart from others.  My husband is a student at UW and we don't have the money to send our little ones off to an expensive, indoor preschool.  

Personally, I think this incredible outdoor preschool experience is so much healthier for their little brains and bodies anyway.

I know I do not stand alone on this issue.  I would stand up with the other mothers that feel the same way and together we say:

 "The future of our earth is in the hands of our children!  

We need these programs and education to 

instill our youth with a respect for Mother Earth. 

Do not underestimate this simple, public service. 

Please reconsider cutting environmental education for the young!"

- Sara Egbert

Carkeek's Master Forester Program, by Lex Voorhoeve

On November 6th, 2010, thirty volunteers worked at the South entrance of Carkeek Park, fighting invasive, non-native blackberries and replacing them with new native plants.  Such an event would be impossible were it not for the experience of five lead graduates from the Carkeek Park Master Foresters classes.  (There would have been seven leads but two were directing another work party.) 


Three of such Master Forester classes were offered, in 2005, 2007 and 2009.  Each class stretched out over eleven Saturdays between June and February, so that all seasons were covered. Each class lasted from 8.30 - 12.00, with about 40% of the time indoors and 60% of the time out in the field - a real "hands on" curriculum.  


In addition, students were assigned a project area, for which they had to make an assessment: What vegetation is there, what native plants are there, what invasive plants are there?  What needs to be done with the vegetation? Is planting needed?  How many of which species need to be ordered?  All in all a rather involved project. 


Unique to these classes was that they often attract new people, without much volunteer experience.  And many, as said in the beginning, become leaders of work parties, sometimes for special days like today (November 6, 2010) or during the regular monthly STARS work parties. (STARS is an acronym for "Streams, Trails, and Restoration Stewards.")


And some start new activities, like the two Master Foresters that initiated a Golden Gardens volunteer group. Continuation of these once-every-two-years classes is vital for keeping volunteer input in Carkeek Park - and elsewhere - alive.

Decision Time Is Near....

Soon Mayor McGinn and the Seattle City Council will make their decision regarding the proposed closure to Carkeek Park's Environmental Learning Center, as well as the proposed elimination of the staff and public programs housed there.  

A final decision date of November 22nd, 2010 mentioned at the budget hearing meeting at City Hall back on October 26th.


We ask supporters of Carkeek Park, the ELC and its public programs to voice your concern over the proposed closures.


Below is the contact information for Mayor McGinn's office and Seattle City Council Members.  Emails, letters, phone calls -  let your voice be heard and help keep Carkeek Park's ELC and its programming open to the public.


Click here to contact Seattle's Mayor, Mike McGinn.


Click here to contact the Seattle City Council.  (Council Member information and contacts are also listed below.)

Note that Councilmember Sally Bagshaw chairs the committee overseeing Parks.  

Contacting Ms. Bagshaw directly can help 

make a positive change in the Mayor's proposed budget.

You may also contact Seattle Councilmembers by mail at:
Seattle City Council
P.O. Box 34025
Seattle, WA 98124-4025

	Richard Conlin, Council President Position: 2 In office since: 1998 Current term: 2010-2013 Chair: Regional Development & Sustainability; and SR 520 Phone: (206) 684-8805 Email: richard.conlin@seattle.gov Staff: Elaine Ko, Phyllis Shulman and Sara Nelson

	Sally Bagshaw Position: 4 In office since: 2010 Current term: 2010-2013 Chair: Parks & Seattle Center; and Alaskan Way Viaduct & Seawall Replacement Project Phone: (206) 684-8801 Email: sally.bagshaw@seattle.gov Staff: Kathy Nyland and Philip Roewe

	Tim Burgess Position: 7 In office since: 2008 Current term: 2008-2011 Chair: Public Safety & Education Phone: (206) 684-8806 Email: tim.burgess@seattle.gov Staff: Betsy Graef, Nate Van Duzer and Rebekah Papé

	Sally J. Clark Position: 9 In office since: 2006 Current term: 2008-2011 Chair: Built Environment; and Alaskan Way Viaduct & Seawall Replacement Project Phone: (206) 684-8802 Email: sally.clark@seattle.gov Staff: LaTonya Brown, David Yeaworth and Dan Nolte

	Jean Godden Position: 1 In office since: 2004 Current term: 2008-2011 Chair: Finance & Budget; and Budget Phone: (206) 684-8807 Email: jean.godden@seattle.gov Staff: Tom Van Bronkhorst, Monica Ghosh and Dawn Wagner Todd

	Bruce A. Harrell Position: 3 In office since: 2008 Current term: 2008-2011 Chair: Energy, Technology & Civil Rights Phone: (206) 684-8804 Email: bruce.harrell@seattle.gov Staff: Vinh Tang, Jennifer L. Samuels and Michael Jerrett

	Nick Licata Position: 6 In office since: 1998 Current term: 2010-2013 Chair: Housing, Human Services, Health, & Culture Phone: (206) 684-8803 Email: nick.licata@seattle.gov Staff: Newell Aldrich, Lisa Herbold and Frank Video

	Mike O'Brien Position: 8 In office since: 2010 Current term: 2010-2013 Chair: Seattle Public Utilities & Neighborhoods Phone: (206) 684-8800 Email: mike.obrien@seattle.gov Staff: Esther Handy, Sierra Hansen and Sahar Fathi

	Tom Rasmussen Position: 5 In office since: 2004 Current term: 2008-2011 Chair: Transportation; and Alaskan Way Viaduct & Seawall Replacement Project Phone: (206) 684-8808 Email: tom.rasmussen@seattle.gov Staff: Brian Hawksford and Maia Harris