Progress made on two Calkins park projects | City briefs

MIPD to raise money with polar plunge; Become a master recycler.

By Reporter Staff • February 23, 2016 6:41 pm
City crews have been working on restoration projects at Calkins Point (left) and Calkins Landing (right). Both should open later this spring.
City crews have been working on restoration projects at Calkins Point (left) and Calkins Landing (right). Both should open later this spring.

Progress made on two Calkins park projects

The city’s restoration staff has been hard at work for months on two notable restoration projects involving Calkins Landing and Calkins Point.

At Calkins Landing, a small street-end park on the west side of the Island (just south of I-90), construction improvements are complete, and the final walk-through with the contractor occured Friday, Feb. 12.

Shrub and groundcover planting is scheduled for late February, followed by mulching. Once vegetation has reestablished, the park is scheduled to re-open to the public in late April or early May.

Up at Calkins Point, on the very northernmost tip of Luther Burbank Park, construction is not yet complete, due to several winter rainstorm delays. All hardscaping and planting was accomplished, but hydroseeding was pushed to late March or early April, depending on weather conditions.

The restored site is expected to open to the public in late May or early June with a ribbon-cutting event.

MIPD to raise money with polar plunge

At noon on Saturday, March 12, the Mercer Island Police Department Polar Plunge team and other local teams hope to raise $20,000 for Washington State Special Olympics athletes by jumping into the chilly lake at Idylwood Park.

To participate as a spectator, participants can raise at least $50 and follow the online registration instructions to sponsor the MIPD or another team.

Become a master recycler

Seattle Tilth offers an Eastside volunteer training and outreach program to educate residents about recycling, backyard composting, organic gardening concepts and water conservation. Participants gain knowledge, skills and tools to teach their friends, neighbors and other community members.

The Master Recycler Composter Eastside program offers 28 hours of education over four weeks, including classroom learning, hands-on experience and field trips.

Participants learn about soil science concepts, integrated pest management, backyard food and yard waste composting and curbside recycling. Participants will develop their own outreach projects, such as compost and recycling education in schools, churches, community centers or gardens.

After completing the course, graduates donate 35 hours of their time offering compost and recycling education to their communities. Classes occur in Kirkland, and applications are due by March 31.

There is also a similar King County Master Recycler Composter course offered in Kent, with a different class schedule.

The city of Mercer Island uses compost in the maintenance of public landscaping, and practices many sustainable gardening techniques in the management of Parks facilities across the Island, including very minimal pesticide and herbicide use.