South Lake Sammamish Update

News from the South Lake Sammamish Association SLSA

July 19, 2007

In this issue: 

• Summer SLSA Meeting - July 24th in Meerwood
    To Discuss West Lake Sammamish Parkway Improvements

• Minutes/notes from the May 31, 2006 quarterly SLSA meeting

• Annual Ice Cream Social

• Blackberry Park Donations

• Lake Sammamish State Park redevelopment plan

• Storm Drain Labeling

• Blackberry Park Improvements

• Sidewalk Repairs and Greenwood Point Road Repaving

• South Lake Sammamish annual ice cream social

• Issaquah Farmers' Market

Summer SLSA Meeting - July 24th in Meerwood 
To Discuss West Lake Sammamish Parkway Improvements

Our third SLSA quarterly meeting of the year will be held Tuesday July 24th, 7pm, at the Meerwood home of Becky Stenzel:

4648 190th Ave SE
Issaquah, WA 98027 425-746-6226

Our special guest will be Gary Costa and Bob Brock of Issaquah Public Works, to discuss the city's planning process to improve West Lake Sammamish Parkway. The city is researching the addition of "general purpose" pedestrian and cycling lane on the north side of the road between the State Park and Sunset Elementary.  Come learn about this project and express your views.

We will also discuss a plan to beautify 188th Ave. N.E. , and some possible neighborhood signage improvements.

Minutes/notes from the May 31, 2006 quarterly SLSA meeting 

The second quarterly meeting of SLSA was held on May 31st.  Our guests were David Fujimoto, manager of the City of Issaquah Resource Conservation Office and Nels Johnson of Rabanco/Allied Waste, our waste removal supplier.  They conducted an informative discussion of what materials may be recycled.  Also discussed were ongoing South Lake Sammamish issues, as well as new discussion on making improvements to residential entries along West Lake Samm. Pkwy at 188th and 192nd.  See minutes of the quarterly meeting for further details:  http://www.issaquahweb.org/slsa/meetingnotes.htm.

Annual Ice Cream Social

The annual South Lake Sammamish ice cream social will be held Monday August 20th at Meerwood Park.  All residents in the South Lake Sammamish area are invited to join neighbors and friends for ice cream, hot dogs and drinks, children's activities and meeting/greeting.  Details will be emailed and posted on mailboxes in August.

Blackberry Park Donations

Scott Dahlquist of the Lake West neighborhood indicated that the overall South Lake Sammamish community is welcome to share and enjoy their newly completed sports court (for pickle ball and basketball) and sitting area in Blackberry Park.  Aside from receiving a grant from Starbucks, all funds spent to date have been raised by individual homeowners.  They are still seeking donations to make ongoing improvements to the park.  Donations (tax deductible) can be routed through The Pomegranate Center, an Issaquah non-profit organization that helps neighborhoods make improvements which benefit the public.  Checks made out to The Pomegranate Center can be dropped off at the Dahlquists' (4244 189th Ave SE) or Rauchs' (18900 SE 42nd Place) homes, who will forward them to the non-profit organization.  Donations will be spent on further leveling and reseeding the lawn, some landscaping, and ongoing maintenance of the small park.

Sidewalk Repairs and Greenwood Point Road Repaving

The City of Issaquah has been making numerous improvements to our area this summer in the form of sidewalk replacements and a major road paving project.  If you see a patch of shiny new sidewalk in your neighborhood, thank Issaquah's 2007 Sidewalk Improvement Program.  Most notably, Issaquah has installed a sidewalk in front of the Blackberry Park in Lake West for the first time ever.

Yet to come is a new layer of pavement for the main road through the Greenwood Point neighborhood.  According Jeffrey Estrin, an Issaquah public works project manager, S.E. 43rd Street / 187th Ave. S.E. will be repaved between 188th Ave. S.E. and the Lewis Creek Bridge.  Lakeside Industries, which will perform the work, tentatively plans to do grinding on August 6th and paving on August 7th.  These dates could easily change.  Residents will be notified with signs.  Last year, Lakeside did an excellent job repaving other streets in our area.  Asphalt hardens quickly, so disruption to residents should be minor.

Lake Sammamish State Park redevelopment plan

Information was provided to SLSA by Peter Herzog, Parks Planner with WA State Parks Planning and Research Program.  Documents outlining future improvements to the state park are outlined on their website:  http://parks.wa.gov/plans/lksamm/  Final plans are to be submitted to the State Parks and Recreation Commission on August 10, 2007.

Storm Drain Labeling

Message from the David Fujimoto at the City of Issaquah Resource Conservation Office:  Everything that goes down a storm drain flows into local streams, lakes, and wetlands.  Help save fish and raise awareness by stenciling storm drains with the words "Dump No Waste, Drains To Stream."  When people see that message, they may think twice about dumping pesticides, paint or used motor oil onto the ground where it can wash into storm drains and flow to waterways.  Individuals or groups can stencil throughout the summer months, in their own neighborhood or at an assigned location.  Everything you need is provided free of charge.  Call 425-837-3400 or email rco@ci.issaquah.wa.us for more information.

Issaquah Farmers' Market

Dave Sao (Recreation Specialist and Issaquah Farmers Market Coordinator) has asked us to remind residents of the weekly Saturday farmers' market which is open from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm at the Pickering Barn across the street from Costco. Farm fresh produce, organic produce, fresh fruits in season, fresh cut flowers, arts & crafts, specialty foods, special events & entertainment weekly. The Market has become the community gathering place each Saturday.

Next Weekend at the Market:

Issaquah Alternative Transportation Fair

Saturday, July 28th
9:00 am - 2:00 pm
Pickering Barn, 1730 - 10th Ave. NW

Your future transportation choices are here now! Come to the Alternative Transportation Fair at the Issaquah Farmer's Market on Saturday the 28th.  Check out electric cars (both new and converted), biodiesel cars and small, fuel efficient cars like the Smart Car. There will be electric bicycles, scooters and much more! Find out about bike routes as well as bus and bike options. Learn how to get into a vanpool or ride share. Find out how to make your own biodiesel or where to buy it locally (The Grange here in Issaquah).

Some exhibitors include: The Green Car Company, Seattle Electric Vehicle Association, Electric Vehicles NW, Cascade Bicycle Club, the NW Biodiesel Network, The Grange, Metro and Transportation Choices Coalition. Radio station KMTT The Mountain will be broadcasting live from the market and local recycling experts will be sharing information about food scrap recycling!  Come join the fun!

Compiled by Becky Stenzel and David Bangs.