information from Seattle Parks

Seattle Parks and Recreation, in conjunction with the Green Seattle Partnership, is undertaking another project to preserve portions of Me-Kwa-Mooks Park off SW Jacobsen Road. Activities will include control of 4 acres of invasive weeds, planting thousands of native plants, erosion control and litter removal with the help of urban forestry crews and volunteer support. The park itself is 20.2 acres in size.

The public can expect to see activity throughout the year on Parks-owned properties that lie along Jacobsen Road between the western boundary of SW Hudson and SW 56th Ave. The public will still have access to enjoy Me-Kwa-Mooks Park on established trails throughout the duration of the project. The project will help conserve one of West Seattle’s most majestic green spaces while supporting the overall environmental stewardship goals of the urban forest system.

Dedicated citizens are also doing their part to take care of the park. Volunteer forest stewards and neighbors lead the removal of invasive plants and enhance wildlife habitat with native vegetation. Volunteer work parties are hosted on a regular basis throughout the year. People interested in volunteering can visit http://seattle.cedar.greencitypartnerships.org/event/map/ or contact Nicholas Stavish at sageandorchid@gmail.com to get involved. This is a unique way to experience parks and a great way to meet neighbors or satisfy school volunteer requirements.

Seattle is at risk of losing 70 percent of its trees in the forested natural areas during the next 20 years, and Seattle Parks has been working to reverse that trend. Seattle’s forested parkland covers nearly 6 percent of the metropolitan area and comprises 20 percent of Seattle’s overall urban forest canopy. The forest plays an important role in protecting air and water quality in the city, while also providing opportunities to observe urban wildlife, learn about the environment and participate in restoration activities. The Green Seattle Partnership is one of the largest public-private forest urban restoration programs in the country. To learn more about the program, visit www.greenseattle.org.

For more information on this project please contact Michael Yadrick, Seattle Parks Natural Resources Unit at 206-615-1046 or michael.yadrick@seattle.gov