the georgetown riverview restoration project

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Restoring Georgetown's historic link with the Duwamish River

This project represents the efforts of both residents and 8th Avenue businesses to create viable streetscape design alternatives and recommendations to the City for the improvement of the area around Gateway Park North and 8th Ave S. at E. Marginal Way S. in Georgetown. Goals include:

  • Connecting people to the Duwamish River through safe pedestrian and vehicular access
  • Continued stewardship and restoration of Gateway Park North
  • Improving the 8th Avenue S. business area for industrial and commercial activity, and
  • Work with City and County on drainage, access and way finding amenities at the intersection and along the street.
In addition to the streetscape recommendations, the Working Group continues to encourage community involvement in keeping the park clean and the street useable for all businesses, residents and Duwamish recreation enthusiasts. The Group is anxiously awaiting formal acquisition of the park by Seattle Parks. The project was funded in part through a Department of Neighborhoods Matching Fund award, and is supported by the Georgetown Community Council and Duwamish River Cleanup Coalition.

Intersection and Street Re-design Workshop
On Wednesday August 13, 2008 you're invited to join neighbors, local buisnesses and City representatives to create a safe intersection and access to 8th Ave S and the Duwamish River via Gateway Park North. To accommodate as many people as possible, GRRP is hosting two workshops and an open house - you can choose to attend one or all, based on your availability:

  • Workshop from 11am-1pm
  • Workshop from 6:30pm-8:30pm
  • Open House from 1pm-6:30pm
Workshops and open house will be held at South Seattle Community College - Georgetown Campus, Building A, Room 112A. Click here for directions.

Topics covered will include:
  • Mobility
  • Community
  • Habitat and the River
  • Drainage
  • Energy and Materials
  • Safety and Crime Prevention

Volunteers
 The efforts of the riverview project are sustained by volunteers. Read a volunteer's perspective about the park and restoration efforts

To learn more about any volunteer opportunities please contact Katrina Mendrey, Outreach Coordinator, at kmendrey@yahoo.com or 206-595-3085.

Project Accomplishments

  • February 22nd 2008 - A Walk to the Park: A walking tour of the area highlighting the project’s accomplishments to date and the group’s vision for the future.
  • March 1st, 2008 Work Party: General clean-up along 8th Ave and Gateway Park North as well as winter plantings of native plants and maintenance of the planter boxes installed as part of the project in 2006.
  • April 19th, 2008 Duwamish Alive!: Volunteers restored habitat for the wildlife.
View a full description of the goals and accomplishments of the Georgetown Riverview Restoration Working Group.

A recent episode of Weekday on KUOW radio highlighted waterfront 'pocket parks' and mentioned the Gateway Park North site (it's about 40 minutes into the show).

Since 8th Avenue and the rest of the project area doesn't have any drainage facilities now (curbs, gutters, or storm drains) our project will need to be creative about how to design and implement alternatives for the street, beginning with the drainage. This will require bringing the expertise of Seattle's Department of Transportation, Seattle Public Utilities, Office of Sustainability and Office of Economic Development to the table with area business leaders and residents. This is an ideal project for the Department of Neighborhoods to support through their Matching Fund program, because it gives neighbors and businesses in the project area an entry point into City government to begin to make sustainable changes. Learn more about Natural Drainage

Duwamish Alive: A traditional success
April 18, 2008- In celebration of Earth Day and the restoration of the Duwamish Valley Watershed, several volunteers from around the Puget Sound participated in Duwamish Alive! Planting native plants and removing debris was only part of the day, at Gateway Park North volunteers from Georgetown, the EPA, Ecology and the Port built benches, removed invasive species and stabilized the shoreline to prevent erosion. While the day started off with a little snow volunteers were rewarded by afternoon sun breaks and a seal playing in the river near the park. One volunteer noted, “The river really is alive!”

Working Group members:

    Residents:
  • Brian Dougherty
  • Sherell Ehlers
  • Patty Foley
  • Jesse Moore
  • Lauren Knoblauch
  • Tom Knoblauch

Thank you
 Alaska Logistics Bagel Deli, Caffe D'Arte - Joe Mancuso, Coliman Restaurant, Compton Lumber and Hardware, the Field Roast Company, Sawdust Supply, Starbucks, Trader Joe's, Two Tartes Bakery, United Rentals - Ron Murphy, Kate Reedy's Aviation High School Stewardship class, Mark Johnson of Jones & Jones, Charlie Cunniff previously of ECOSS, Karl Unterschuetz of Portage Environmental, and Judith Noble with the City of Seattle

To learn more about the project please contact Katrina Mendrey, Outreach Coordinator, at kmendrey@yahoo.com or 206-595-3085.