Leschi
Leschi Community Council’s (LCC) September meeting featured a discussion of the problems at Leschi Park, especially in the parking lot after hours, with Seattle Parks and Recreation’s Robert Stowers. The community wanted the park and parking lot closed at 10 p.m., rather than 11 p.m. Stowers agreed that closing early and posting the hours would help. He also said that Parks could install a bollard to keep cars from entering the lot after hours.
The October meeting will continue the focus on the many parks in Leschi and the current problems, including lack of maintenance. We meet on Wednesday, Oct. 2, at 7 p.m., at The Central (500 30th Ave. S.).
Our Stairway Project for October will be the Dearborn Street stairs, from 30th down to 31st avenues South. Meet at the top of the stairs at 9:30 a.m. on Oct. 19. Bring tools: rake, broom, pruning tools; we provide bags, gloves and snacks.
The Leschi Business Association and the LCC will host the third-annual Halloween Spooktacular on Oct. 31, from 4 to 6 p.m. in the lakeside business district.
Thanks to all who contributed and shopped our Big Book Sale. We are able to contribute more than $1,100 to the Seattle Music Partnership for its music-tutoring program in the schools.
— Diane Snell, co-president
Madison Park
Improved street crossing — The tragedy that occurred in the neighborhood early last month at the intersection of East Madison Street and McGilvra Boulevard East — when a pedestrian, in the crosswalk of East Madison heading toward Starbucks, was hit by a bicycle — brought home to the City of Seattle why the Madison Park Community Council (MPCC) and others have been advocating for a safety redesign at the intersection.
As a result of the efforts of MPCC first vice president Bob Edmiston and Alice Lanczos, Mike Morrow of Wells Fargo Bank and other community members, a vigil was held the following Friday to express the collective hope of our community that the severely injured pedestrian makes a complete and speedy recovery. Mayor Mike McGinn and other city officials, who pledged their help to begin the redesign process, attended the vigil.
Small steps like prohibiting vehicles from parking to the west of the crosswalk at the Wells Fargo Bank to give both pedestrians and vehicles a better view of traffic should have been accomplished by the time this goes to press.
Thanks to Edmiston, his colleagues and the people who attended the vigil for helping the neighborhood get closer to having a safe intersection for pedestrians, cars, bicycles, and our children, who head to and from McGilvra Elementary School on foot or by bike.
Safe Sidewalks — Our Safe Sidewalks campaign continues to produce results. With the cooperation of Seattle Parks and Recreation, through Parks administrator Mike Shiosaki, the damaged sidewalk along 43rd Avenue East at Madison Park Beach has been repaired. This is a critical improvement as this sidewalk is the major route for Park Shore Retirement Community residents and others going to the local stores and restaurants, the beach and the playground.
Many home- and condominium owners have also responded to our request that they make needed improvements to the sidewalks adjacent to their home. Many have made repairs to their broken sidewalks and cut back intruding shrubs, hedges and overhanging tree branches.
On Oct. 1, volunteers will begin an inventory of four of the five neighborhoods the MPCC serves (Broadmoor handles its own sidewalk safety) to tabulate the results of our efforts. The only tabulation that will be made by the MPCC team will be to count how many home- and condominium owners have made the requested improvements. The numbers, not the names of property owners, will be published in the November issue of the Neighborhood Connection. No other information gathered by the MPCC will be publicly available.
Please make necessary repairs and do fall pruning as soon as you can so we can avoid having more of our neighbors hurt.
Classes at the Bathhouse — The MPCC is getting closer to reaching agreement with Seattle Parks and Recreation to hold a variety of programs at the Madison Park Bathhouse. We will shortly ask you for your suggestions for programs you think should be held.
Extraordinary Neighbor program schedule — We have two more programs coming up in our Extraordinary Neighbor” joint program with Park Shore. They are held at 7:30 pm at Park Shore.
On Oct. 21, Dr. Rainer Storb, chair of the Transplantation Biology Program at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, and Dr. Beverly Torok-Storb, research scientist and chair of her research lab at The Hutch, will discuss “Stem Cells in Human Diseases.”
On Nov. 13, Jane Powell Thomas, author of “Madison Park Remembered,” will recount the history of Madison Park. There will be an opportunity after the presentation for members of the audience to add their own recollections.
Tree Tour — On Oct. 19 at 10 a.m., Steve Lorton, former Pacific Northwest editor of Sunset magazine, will lead a tree tour of our neighborhoods. In the one-hour walking tour, you can have those questions you have had about neighborhood flora answered. Bring the kids, the grandchildren and any other interested friends to the entrance to Park Shore to begin the on-foot journey.
Art Walk — Be sure not to miss the Madison Park Art Walk. Artwork made by neighborhood artists is on display in stores and store windows in the Madison Park Business District until Sunday, Oct. 6.
MPCC board meeting — The next MPCC board meeting will take place Monday, Oct. 7, at 7 p.m. at the Madison Park Bathhouse, at 43rd Avenue East and East Madison Street. Please come and share your ideas of improvements you would like to see happen in your neighborhood.
— Gene Brandzel, president
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