"All of this used to be bog" - lessons from an urban nature walk

One of the first (and most interesting) things I learned today is that a wide swath of Shoreline was once all bog. This fascinating fact was imparted by Jennifer Youngman. Jennifer is Outreach Coordinator for Homewaters Project, an organization that exists to create "an engaged and informed citizenry by connecting people to nature and each other in the context of their home communities."

A group of about 15 people braved the cold and rain to meet with Jennifer on a Saturday morning to learn about watersheds and storm drains, beavers and peat, native plants and invasive species, while following (on foot) the main branch of Thornton Creek's North Fork from its headwaters to Twin Ponds.

Jennifer (green jacket) is showing us the path of Thornton Creek

The group met in the parking lot at Twin Ponds park. Jennifer showed us a big map of Thornton Creek and gave us a basic idea of the journey we were about to embark upon, then we were off.

The future of Cromwell Park

First stop: Cromwell Park at 180th and Meridian. Cromwell Park will be undergoing some big changes this summer. We saw a map of the new layout and it is totally different than the current one. Among other changes, the baseball field and the playground will both be moved and there will be new paths installed throughout the park. Other improvements, including wetland restoration, will be a positive change for the watershed and the natural environment in general.

The group gathers at Ronald Bog Park

Second stop: Ronald Bog Park. Jennifer told us a little bit of the history of Ronald Bog and a bit about the nature and ecology of bogs in general. Did you know people used to pick cranberries at Ronald Bog? That was back when it was an actual bog. Alas, back in the 1950s all the peat was harvested from the bog. So now Ronald "Bog" isn't a bog at all. It's a pond.

Info sign at the arboretum at Ronald Bog Park

While at Ronald Bog Park, we checked out the new-ish Pacific Northwest Conifer Arboretum. Jennifer encouraged us to return here on our own to explore the place more fully. She also explained that not all conifers keep their needles year-round. Indeed, "conifer" simply means "cone-bearing." We saw an example of a deciduous conifer - the tamarack tree. It had dropped its needles, but was sporting many little cones.

From Ronald Bog Park we walked south down Meridian Ave., where we encountered Dick Decker working at removing invasive blackberries from the edge of the pond. He and a group of local citizens have regular work parties to improve Ronald Bog by removing invasives and replacing them with native species.

That's Dick Decker in the orange vest

We then meandered along the south side of Ronald Bog, along some little paths I never before knew existed, through James Keough Park (aka 'Freeway Park'), and found ourselves at our next destination.

At the recycling station

Third stop: Shoreline Recycling Center. Outside of a chainlink fence on the northern side of the recycling center Jennifer talked out how the (fairly huge) building there was LEED certified, meaning that it meets certain environmentally friendly standards. We also learned how and where the creek runs through this part of Shoreline.

Next we walked around to the main entrance of the recycling center to check out the educational display they have there. It's not only informative - it's also really cool, with a multi-colored river made of recycled glass. The display reminds us that we're "always in a watershed."

Journeying on, we walked out of the south side of the recycling center, past the 'bus barn' and headed south towards our final destination.

Walking into Twin Ponds Park

Fourth stop: Twin Ponds Park. We learned how water moves through this park and we also learned that several of the improvements to the park over the years were made by Eagle scouts, including the construction of a sturdy little bridge and the removal of a bunch of junk metal. We saw the 'trail of cedars' and Jennifer showed us a 'secret' hidden-away little arboretum at Twin Ponds. Somehow, back in the early 1990s a man named John Dixon convinced King County to let him plant a tree there. Then more trees. Over the years he kept on planting trees and cleaning the place up - removing concrete debris, etc. Now, nearly two decades later, John is still taking care of this place. It really is a hidden gem.

Jennifer answering questions in the 'secret' arboretum at Twin Ponds

We walked back to the parking lot where Jennifer gave us each some informative brochures produced by the Homewaters Project including a really nice map of the Thornton Creek watershed, some general information about Homewaters, and some info about a fundraising party Homewaters is holding on May 18th.

Although it was cold and rainy most of the time we were out, I still really enjoyed this walk and I would recommend it to anyone interested in how the natural world flows on all around us all the time. Jennifer was a great teacher and a pleasure to spend time with.

Check out the Homewaters website. There is a lot there to explore, including a virtual tour of the Thornton Creek watershed, ideas for fun activities, volunteer opportunities, and of course, information about upcoming events.

In conclusion, allow me to remind you that "you're always in a watershed." And when you're in the Thorton Creek watershed, remember that "all of this used to be bog!" :)

Link to see more photos from today's urban nature walk through Shoreline.

Link to get a free walking map of Shoreline that you can print out.

Were you on this walk? (or a previous one?) Please add your reflections, thoughts, memories, ideas etc. to the comment section.

Free urban nature walk in Shoreline. Saturday, March 14th 2009

Trees at Ronald Bog park

This information is from Jennifer Youngman (Outreach Coordinator, Homewaters Project)

Learn about watersheds and storm drains, beavers and peat, native plants and invasive species, as you follow the main branch of Thornton Creek's North Fork from its headwaters to Twin Ponds during a free urban nature walk. You'll hear about upcoming plans for Cromwell Park, loop through two arboretums, and learn about the Shoreline Transfer Station's relationship with Thornton Creek. Please bring stories of your own to share! Homewaters Project is all about connecting people to nature and each other in their own home place. To that end, Homewaters Project provides field investigations within walking distance of schools, and public programs such as Thornton Creek walks. Sign up today!

What: Thornton Creek North Fork Sampler Walk

When: Saturday, March 14, 2009, 9:00-11:30 a.m.

Where: Meet at Twin Ponds - but please sign up first.

Cost: Free, but space is limited, so sign up first. Bring bus fare.

How to sign up: Call 206-526-0187 or email jyoungman@sccd.ctc.edu

Link to Homewaters Project

Link to history of Ronald Bog

South Woods Preservation Group looking for volunteers. Meeting on Feb. 25th

This is posted to volunteermatch.org

South Woods Preservation Group
Looking for new leaders
& new ideas

Community Meeting
Wed, February 25
6:30--8:00 pm

Public Health Lab
Conference Room
1610 NE 150th
Shoreline, WA 98155

Join the South Woods Preservation Group to help define the next phase of citizen stewardship for 16 acres of beautiful public space purchased through the 2006 Parks Bond.

It's time to develop new leadership and explore new opportunities:

- park stewardship
- youth involvement
- community building
- education
- fun!

Information:
Charlie Brown
(206) 363-5517

cbcb66@hotmail.com

Skills

Skills for Leadership: thoughtful commitment to stewardship of City of Shoreline Park; ability to coordinate events; ability to work with a variety of people; ability to coordinate with City of Shoreline and follow direction of the Park master plan.

Skills for participation: ability to work with hand tools and remove ivy and other invasives at community work parties.

View Larger Map

Link to the City's webpage about South Woods

Link to volunteermatch.org

Restoring wetlands at Paramount Park

I recently met with Shoreline Councilmember Janet Way at Shoreline's Paramount Park. She showed me around the park (the southern, more "natural" part of the park, not the part where the skate park is) and told me about a neighborhood group she's been working with for 20 years to restore the park and it's wetlands. It's a truly lovely place. There's an open field, some trails, and a couple of ponds. And there's a really cool old tractor totally embedded in trees that have grown through it. This park is well worth visiting if you've not been there before.

Here are a few photos I took at Paramount Park. Click the link below for even more photos.

Shoreline Councilmember Janet Way

Link to photos of Paramount Park

Link to Shoreline City Council page (to learn more about Janet)

Ronald Bog planting party on Saturday Jan 17th

Dick Decker says:

The extreme cold/snow/rain doesn't appear to have caused much damage at Ronald Bog but we won't know until later this spring what might have been killed from the freeze.

The Meridian Park Neighborhood Association (MPNA) will continue planting at Ronald Bog along Meridian Ave. North south of North 175th this Saturday (January 17, 2009) from 9am to noon. MPNA will have a wide selection of native trees, shrubs, herbaceous plants and groundcovers. You're invited to join the 'Planting Party'! Bring a friend, spouse, son, daughter, Mom, Dad, Grandma and Grandpa. Bring shovels, pitchforks, rakes and gloves. Dress for the weather. They’ll have some treats and water.

For more info: Dick Decker 206-542-1552

The photo above is from work being done at the bog last September.

Link to see more photos of improvements at Ronald Bog park

Link to more articles about Ronald Bog park

Puffball mushrooms at Cromwell Park

At Cromwell Park today (Saturday, August 30, 2008) I noticed a lot of little puffball mushrooms on the field, near the benches. They were pretty small, (about the size of pocket change) ranging in size from the diameter of a dime to the diameter of a quarter.






Link to: Information about Shoreline parks

Work party at Ronald Bog parkFriday Aug. 29, 2008

Click the flyer to see a larger version

UPDATE: Click here to see photos from this event

For more info call Dick Decker at (206) 542-1552
or Mark Tomboulian at (206) 546-3261

A new trail at Ronald Bog park

It looks like a little meandering walking trail is being added to Ronald Bog park. Recently they put a big wooden sign thingy next to the parking lot at Ronald Bog. Now this! The trail starts at the parking lot, (right near the new sign) and wanders around in that green area between the parking lot and the on-ramp to I-5. The trail doesn't really seem to go anywhere in particular. Perhaps it is intended to just be a pleasant little stroll?

At any rate, that part of the park has never really seemed to get used much. Maybe it'll see more action in the future.

The trail starts at the parking lot

Do you know anything about this? What do you think about the idea? We'd love to know your thoughts. Click below to add your comments.

Link to: earlier post about the installation of the sign thingy

Link to: all posts about Ronald Bog park

Photos and videos from Swingin' Summer Eve

Did you make it to Shoreline's Swingin Summer Eve this year? I hope so! If not, you missed out. But you didn't miss out entirely. Luckily for you, we here at the Ronald Bog Blog were there and have these photos to share. Enjoy! If you were there, what did you think? Did you buy a hotdog from the firemen? Did you bounce in the Wizard's Castle? Did you buy a used book? Did you shake your booty? Do tell! Leave a comment at the end of this post by clicking where it says 'comments'. It's quick, easy and fun!

Afrodisiacs perform live!

The Wave of Fire

Wizard's Castle!

Emergency preparedness information from the City of Shoreline

The Shoreline Council of Neighborhoods was on hand

A map of Shoreline's neighborhoods

Some new pals we met at the Council of Neighborhoods table!
Introduce yourselves in the comment section, y'all! :)

***

And here's a couple of short videos for your entertainment:

Afrodisiacs perform "We Are Family"

Deano the clown was chasing people with this big rolling tube!

Link to: Deano the Clown

Link to: Afrodisiacs

Link to: City of Shoreline Neighborhoods Program

A dog park in Shoreline?

This Thursday evening (June 12th, 7pm) there will be a "public presentation" concerning the recommendations of Shoreline's Off-Leash Dog Area Study Group. Find out which sites the group has identified and what their recommendations are.

I won't be able to make it to the meeting, but if you do go, please send me a note to let me know what happened and what was talked about. I'd love to be able to post something here about the results of the meeting. Thanks!

Where: The Shoreline Historical Museum
When: Thursday, June 12th at 7:00pm

For more info:
Contact Maureen Colaizzi at (206) 546-0232 or email mcolaizzi@ci.shoreline.wa.us

More info about this project is here: City of Shoreline