The City of Redmond has embarked on a planning process for a pedestrian-friendly neighborhood park to be located on the north side of Northeast 122nd Street, between Northeast 176th and 177th Avenues.
In a community meeting at Albert Einstein Elementary School on Wednesday, senior park planner B. Sanders explained that there is currently no city money allocated for the park. But a cost estimate from the consulting landscape architecture firm of Nakano Associates will be provided after design plans are formulated. City planners will then pursue funding for the park.
Wednesday’s meeting was held to gather ideas on features desired at the park and to present basic information about the existing components of the five-acre site.
Cathie Conolly of the environmental consulting firm ESA Adolfson said the site is a “wonderful nature and wildlife habitat” with mature trees, primarily maple and red alder, a healthy understory, wetland areas and a stream which is a tributary to Bear Creek.
The stream/pond area is on the east portion of the property, with the forested habitat on the western boundary.
As well as commonly seen birds and animals, somewhat unusual species on the site include Pileated Woodpeckers, the second-largest woodpeckers in North America.
Some regulatory constraints on the property include provisions of a stream buffer, wetland buffer and FWHCA (Fish and Wildlife Habitat Conservation Area). In planning the park, the city “can be a little flexible, such as building pervious trails where water can get through them,” Conolly added.
Kenichi Nakano of Nakano Associates described possible multi-use trails such as some that are seen at the Redmond Watershed Preserve and Farrel-McWhirter Park. These include trails made from wood chips or gravel and elevated trails which allow water to flow underneath.
Artist and educator Kristin Tollefson mentioned a book called “Last Child in the Woods,” in which the author Richard Louv warns of “nature deficit disorder — the human costs of alienation from nature.” Tollefson cited research about the importance of letting kids connect with nature in unstructured settings.
Climbing on rocks, sliding down hills and similar play is physically healthy and inspires kids’ imaginations, she noted. As well, nature is calming and soothing.
“Studies of kids with green areas or manufactured play areas found kids are more creative and cooperative in green spaces,” said Tollefson.
The consultants asked meeting attendees what they’d like to see in the Northeast Redmond Neighborhood Park. Walking trails, contact with water and wildlife, climbing rocks and a small, rock-based gathering place, where teachers or docents could talk to kids about the park’s natural environment, were among the suggestions.
At a meeting sometime next month, Nakano Associates will unveil three conceptual ideas with a range of features that might be included at the park.
Meanwhile, neighbors are welcome to submit comments or questions to B. Sanders at (425) 556-2328 or bsanders@redmond.gov.
