Lettered Streets Neighborhood Association

by Rae Edwards

The City of Bellingham is looking at updating the rather dilapidated playground near the salmon hatchery at Maritime Heritage Park, and potentially moving it to another location within the park.

At the April Lettered Streets Neighborhood Association (LSNA) meeting, Jonathan Schlik from the city Parks and Recreation Dept. presented the idea of updating and moving the playground from its present spot. The current playground equipment does not meet current city safety standards, is not wheelchair accessible and does not have good visibility lines into or out of the play area.

The plans are still in the scoping phase and Jonathan Schlik is looking for members of the neighborhood to sit on the steering committee. So far, Lettered Streets residents Earl Hutchins, Mike Kimmich and Rae Edwards have volunteered to be on the steering committee. Changes to the playground area would likely trigger a change to the Master Plan.

As one of the people who agreed to help with this process, I would love to get input from Lettered Streets residents who might make use of the playground. We will share details on this website and Facebook page to get your thoughts!

Jonathan offered to return to another LSNA meeting in early summer for further discussion of this idea.

The May 11 membership meeting will include a discussion of the Fountain District Urban Village Subarea Plan in preparation for a public hearing later this month. Please come share your thoughts, ideas, or concerns regarding the Fountain District Urban Village. See details in the article below.

Linda Stewart, Bellingham’s Neighborhoods and Special Projects Coordinator will also join us to discuss waterfront redevelopment topics. Linda coordinates neighborhood services and special projects city-wide, providing resources and liaison for neighborhoods and other key community partners.

Meetings are held the 2nd Tuesday of every month at 7:00pm in the Washington Square Highrise 2501 E Street.  Please enter through one of the doors on the Logan Street side, off the side patio.  Everyone is encouraged to attend and participate!

In 2007, residents from the Columbia, Cornwall Park, and Lettered Streets Neighborhoods launched an outreach and visioning initiative for the commercial area commonly known as the “Fountain District.” The Fountain District encompasses the area of Meridian Street beginning at the intersections of Girard and Broadway at the southern end, and extending to Illinois at the northern end.

The Bellingham Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on the Fountain District Urban Village, on Thursday, May 20th, 7 pm, City Council Chambers, 210 Lottie Street. Hearing Notice

The City was able to initiate the Fountain District Urban Village Master Plan project in 2009 because the three neighborhoods were successful in engaging residents, property and business owners in the initial planning process. The project goal is to develop a master plan and development regulations for an urban village.

More information and official planning documents HERE.

LSNA Monthly Meeting
Tuesday March 9^th, 2010, 7pm
Washington Square Highrise 2501 E Street

PROGRAM:  Gardening

The following five topics and speakers will be presenting brief introductions and then be available for questions. Bring your gardening questions and they will bring answers. Spring is just around the corner!

Permaculture:  Gary Koch lives in the Birchwood neighborhood on a .4 acre property and developing it according to permacultural principles. He attended the permaculture class in 2006 given on Orcas Island by the Bullock brothers. He is interested in neighborhood self suffiency in most staples, but also interdependence based on barter among like-minded groups and individuals.

Community First! Gardens:  Becky Curtis, Program Coordinator, will discuss this program. WSU and The Mary Redman Foundation are collaborating to form Community First! Gardens. These gardens will provide opportunities for neighbors to work side-by-side tending their individual garden plots, while building a sense of self-reliance as they learn to grow their own food. Besides making nutritious, locally-grown food available to more people, these neighborhood gardens will provide an environment in which a strong sense of community can flourish.

Composting & Garden in clay: Elsa King is a Master Composter, a WSU Extension program. She describes herself as “I am one of those people who dug up my lawn (miserable clay fill) and planted a (incredibly productive!) food garden right by the sidewalk. So I can certainly speak to the issues of improving miserable soil, dealing with deer, and just doing it. As a master composter I have many tips for the backyard gardener.”

Backyard Habitat: Ronalee Kincaid is an active gardener and has training at a Habitat Steward with the National Wildlife Federation and has completed the Backyard Habitat Mentor training. She will share ways to attract wildlife to your yard by providing four basic elements of food, water, shelter and a place to raise young.

Bellingham Urban Garden Syndicate: Chris Elder will share information about BUGS and their projects. BUGS is dedicated to assisting with the design, implementation, and ongoing maintenance of the urban food revolution. The groups mission statement is “To promote, sustain, and advocate for urban agriculture in Bellingham through education, garden support, community action, and making local healthy food accessible.”

Meetings are held the 2nd Tuesday of every month at 7:00pm in the Washington Square Highrise 2501 E Street.  Please enter through one of the doors on the Logan Street side, off the side patio.

Everyone is encouraged to attend and participate!