Spring brings about the sense of renewal and this is definitely evident in a recent senior project at Mathison Park in Burien.

Aviation High School student Gina O’Kelley approached the Burien Parks & Recreation Department last summer with a proposal to complete her senior project at a local Burien park.

Pointed in the direction of Mathison Park, Gina was excited to embark on a project to improve the ecology in a portion of the park.

In Gina’s words, “The ecology of local parks is intriguing to me because they are so closely impacted by human interaction. It also matters to me that these green spaces continue to be available to future generations. “

Gina started in early September by visiting the Mathison Park with Adopt-a-Park Coordinator Lisa Aumann and set about defining an about 2,500 square foot area to remove invasive plants and re-vegetate with native plants.

In September, she gathered school volunteers and coordinated another 40 community volunteers to grub out over 50 cubic yards of Himalayan blackberry and English Ivy. Additionally, Gina worked with parks staff on removing some of the Holly and Laurel stands.

In March, Gina acquired a $400 donation of plants from native plant nursery Tadpole Haven to place throughout the park.

Aumann was very impressed, stating “Gina has been incredibly motivated and self-directed during this project and has done a great job recruiting support from her family, friends and other Aviation High students over the several months she has worked on the project. Clearly the park and park users will benefit from her hard work on this project.”

As her senior project presentation is nearing Gina has indicated, “I am also hoping for this project to act as a catalyst for future work in the park, such as a similar senior project in the area adjacent to mine.”

Burien staff would like the word to spread about park restoration and attract other high school seniors interested in working on vegetation improvements in Burien’s park sites.

Aumann commented, “This is a unique opportunity for high school seniors to take on a project that not only has a valuable learning component but also gives back to a local neighborhood by improving a park that can be enjoyed by the community.”

Interested students can contact Lisa at lisaa@burienwa.gov if they are interested in proposing a senior project.