Notes from Open Space Forum (Nov 17)

The group discussed ways to foster a sense of neighborhood through improvements on open spaces. The goal is to encourage more walking, neighborhood interaction and better use of under-utilized resources. The group was particularly interested in projects that would improve the parking strips or other public open spaces. Currently parking strips in residential neighborhoods belong to the city but they have potentials to be used by the community to make the neighborhoods more sustainable.

The group brainstormed and discussed the following ideas to be implemented on parking strips or open spaces:

(1) Planting more trees, possibly fruit trees. Fruits harvested can be:

- donated to local food banks;
- distributed through the food market on a non-competitive basis; or
- shared among the neighborhood through canning, community freezer, etc.
(note: the City is not recommending fruit trees on parking strips concerning about the cost of clean-up so the community needs to show commitment to take care of the fruits. Also, food quality and related health issues should be considered.)

(2) Adopt-a-parking-strip: locate the visible parking strips (such as ones close to the Junction or the farmer market) and use them for demonstration projects. Possible demonstration projects include :

- installing local/neighborhood composting bin;
- displaying the history of west Seattle (e.g. orchard farms);
- displaying artwork (e.g. handmade benches to encourage more walking);
- low-impact development such as infiltration system, bio-retention system, etc.;
- creating wildlife habitats;
- community bus stop or diesel stop (for green transportation groups);

The group would welcome more ideas (so we can compile a "100 uses of parking strips"). Also, it was agreed that collaboration with other local community groups such as MOCA (Morgan Community Association) is important.

EcoBuild Fall