25TH YEAR OF FRIENDS OF DISCOVERY PARK IN 1999

In the summer of 1974 members of the Citizens for Ft. Lawton Park

POTPOURRI

• Noted environmentalist and author, Harvey Manning recently sent us a

WHAT VISITORS ARE SAYING

Editor's Note: We are printing an expanded column of visitor comments. We want our elected officials to realize how important the beauty, quiet and solitude of Discovery Park is in preserving sanity and renewal for citizens in a modern city like Seattle.

This park was created by citizens' efforts, not by our politicians. Before allowing an over-sized Peoples' Lodge to be built or a sewage treatment plant to expand again, it would be well for these leaders to appreciate the precious open space and natural values of this park. Too many parks were ruined because governments chose not to defend the people's property they held in trust.

Here are comments from Seattle citizens and visitors from all over the World. Nature and natural parks are understood and treasured by most everyone.

"Why go anywhere else when you have Discovery Park --China

CHANGING OF THE GUARD

Patricia Stambor and Valerie Cholvin, new Co-Presidents, of the Friends of Discovery Park are replacing me as president of the Friends after my seven-year stint.

Both Val and Pat have the energy, resources, plans, and ability to face the untold encroachments on the beauty, tranquillity and natural life of Discovery Park. They need your help and support. I will dedicate my help. Will you do the same?

We don't accomplish anything just by ourselves. Success comes only when we pool our skills, knowledge, dedication, and experience in a cooperative way. We learn much from one another when we take the time to listen.

This year is my 30th year of involvement with Discovery Park. It is my 24th year with the Friends. I served as the Friends' first president in 1974 and as the president the last seven years.

The Friends record of accomplishments makes it one of the most effective park groups in the city. We should be proud of our dedication and successes.

This year I realized it was time for a change. Seven years is far too long with the same person. It does not serve the best interest of the park.

Judge Donald S. Voorhees, the "Father of Discovery Park," died July 1989. Don and I met regularly for lunch at the "Iron Horse" in Pioneer Square. Just before he died, I promised to watch and to defend his park and its master plan. I've tried to do that. I will now continue that promise to Don as just a citizen and a Friends' member.

Years ago journalists wrote "30" at the bottom of an article. That told the typesetter that it was the end. Now after these 30 years it seemed fitting to step down. And so I did. So here is "30" to all of you.

   Robert Kildall

LETTERS TO FRIENDS

Dear Friends:

A few weeks ago, I was showing an 8-year old our Park ponds. The experience reminded me that these ponds as a somewhat natural asset are endangered. Sadly visible was a stream of silt entering the lowermost pond because of land "development" of some kind west of the pond.

I do not believe I am the only one who does not want this part of the Park destroyed by over-development and by more traffic. This development is not in keeping with the Master Plan. Who has authorized the destruction?

Too, I have a personal aversion to the destruction. Many, many seasons ago I began visiting Discovery Park with my young son, Morgan. We lived in Seattle, and as a single parent our resources were limited. But trips to the Park were easily possible. We also had the joy of meeting with naturalists and gaining a strong appreciation of this jewel in a large city.

Almost two decades have passed. My son is now age 26, living in California. He still cherishes the memories, and sometimes we re-visit…and reflect.

As a kind of epilog to my experiences and joys with Morgan, I became a docent, a volunteer naturalist in 1995. Now I have the privilege of sharing Discovery Park with many young people and adults.

As you may gather, my perception of the treasure we call Discovery Park is the product of numerous seasons of our planet and of my life. The Park must be preserved and cared for. We must be stewards, not exploiters of our heritage. We owe it to future generations: we owe it to our visitors. Why is the destruction allowed?

   Robert Morgan Smith
   Shoreline WA

Dear Friends:

I think you forgot to send me a bill for the dues -so here is a check -I don't want to miss the newsletter.

I moved to Chicago in 1985 from Seattle where I walked through the park almost every day. Disco Park is what I most miss about Seattle. We do have the Morton Arboretum in Lisle, Illinois (note reference to new disease -resistant elms referred to in spring newsletter where the new trees have been perfected) but we don't have the solitude or the views of the park.

I hope UIAT builds somewhere else!

   Lee Burkey Jr.

JUST BETWEEN OUR SHELVES

(Lynda: use the logo for this column)

Umbrella Guide to Washington Lighthouses by Sharlene P. & Ted W. Nelson, Umbrella Books, Friday Harbor WA: This is a book for all that are fascinated by lighthouses. Friends have a special interest in the West Point Lighthouse on the Puget Sound beach below Discovery Park.

Except for Point No Point Lighthouse near Hansville, WA, West Point is the oldest lighthouse on Puget Sound. It was built in 1872. It's fog signal was first a bell suspended in the tower, later replaced by a steam whistle and then by a Daboll trumpet. It was the last lighthouse to be automated on Puget Sound.

There are more interesting details about our lighthouse, a national historic site, and other local lighthouses in the Nelson's book.

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

A little more than two years ago, I wandered into a Friends of Discovery Park board meeting, out of curiosity. Bob Kildall shook my left hand and planted a Master Plan in my right. My education began.

I must admit that in the first twenty years that I had lived in Seattle and been visiting the park, it never crossed my mind that individuals and groups were constantly fighting small and large battles over the use of the park land.

I grew up in a farming community in eastern Washington, where I spent my youth exploring Latah Creek and wandering through the rolling hills of the Palouse. Open space was something I took for granted.

I remember my first romp through the Park's South Meadow on a summer evening. The smell of grass and the beautiful sunset reminded me of the Palouse during harvest, without the combines. Little did I know that had it not been for those who worked endlessly to preserve this park, it would have been off-limits to me, either as a missile base or golf course.

As an interim president of Friends, I want to encourage members to become more involved. We have two important and immediate issues, the UIAT People's Lodge and the possible expansion at the West Point Treatment Plant. We need your help fighting both of these battles to preserve the park. Our monthly meetings (first Wednesdays) are open to the public and all are welcome. Never underestimate the power of your personal letters to public officials. One or two sentences expressing your concerns and what you think should be done can make a difference.

    Patricia Stambor

IMPORTANCE OF PUBLIC INPUT ON PARK PROPOSALS

Ron Sims, Metropolitan King County executive and Mark Starr of the Army Reserve Center set patterns of public involvement that can be an example to other agencies of government.

Both met with the Friends, the Discovery Park Advisory Council and community representatives over proposals they were considering involving Discovery Park. The results were outstanding.

Too often discussions involve only the proposers of an action or only a committee made up of advocates for the project.

This means just one side has the ability to take part in the early discussions. The issue becomes woefully slanted. Facts are distorted. The result is unnecessary conflicts.

Councilwoman Jan Drago found a solution during her proposal for off-leash areas. She had an advocacy group but also brought in representatives of parks and others to critique the proposal.

In Park's kayak proposal the committee was made up users and suppliers. This meant that an expressed habitat criteria was largely ignored. In the United Indians of All Tribes permit problems regarding what many felt to be "pre-construction" activities, the Department of Construction and Land Use only considered more openness after park and community complaints forced the issue.

At the Arboretum it is obvious that it would have been better to have community input on the "Master Plan" for the Arboretum before it was reported to the public.

The standard should be "if the park has a master plan, park advocates should be equal parties to those groups proposing an action." Even if there is no master plan, advocates should meet with and face community opinions.