Dear Editor:

I am dismayed at the preoccupation over the North Admiral patch of grass vs. plant/logs, and whether it’s private vs. “larger community” interest.

Parks and neighborhood interests are important, but there is such focus we are ignoring greater community concerns.

First, the slow spread of roofs, roads, driveways, and lawns creates polluted runoff, sometimes including raw sewage spilling into Puget Sound during storms. I’ve heard credible ecologists suggest we have a window of ten years to “save” Puget Sound and reverse its decline, and our choices to plant trees and shrubs instead of lawns will make a difference.

Second, North Admiral is ignoring its greenbelt, and the slow spread of ivy and wild clematis is strangling what trees remain after cutting for views’ sake. This increases the risk of landslides, threatening neighbors’ homes and property.

Experts also say an ivy monoculture is ecologically unstable. Monocultures are prone to insect and rodent infestations, and this is a “larger community” health concern (studies show disease is less likely to spread in healthy, diverse native ecosystems).

I expect the city to weigh private/neighborhood desires against public interest and safety, and make appropriate decisions. As a suggestion, perhaps the Parks Department would maintain an open-grass park if concerned homeowners would compensate for the loss of native vegetation in their own backyards.

Steve Richmond
Puget Ridge