Mike Salsbury/The Olympian
Peter Guttchen, president of the Northeast Neighborhood Association, and his daughter, Emma, 9, stand in the future location of Friendly Grove Park.

Residents await new area park

Friendly Grove work has begun; second park possible

MICHAEL BURNHAM THE OLYMPIAN

OLYMPIA -- If you stop in at the San Francisco Street Bakery, a neighborhood association meeting or a class at Roosevelt Elementary School, chances are that you'll hear the buzz about the new park.

Despite the fact that the Northeast Neighborhood is one of Olympia's largest neighborhoods, it's noticeably short on neighborhood parks.

That will change soon.

After more than five years of planning, the city began construction in February of Friendly Grove Park. The 14.4-acre park east of Friendly Grove Road will be completed this summer.

Additionally, the neighborhood is home to the 29-acre Mission Creek open space, located west of Marion Street. The site, which could one day be home to trails and interpretive signs, includes the headwater area of Mission Creek and contains a variety of upland and wetland habitat for birds and other animals. The city purchased the property last June.

But that's not all. The Mission Creek open space adjoins a 7.62-acre parcel the city acquired in 1995 for park space. The park would be called the Mission Creek Neighborhood Park and include a small playing field.

So it's easy to understand why neighborhood residents have a lot to talk about.

"The ability to get outdoors is really essential to the quality of life," said Northeast Neighborhood Association President Peter Guttchen.

The dozens of retired couples and young families in this neighborhood of mostly single-family homes are doing more than talking. During the past few months, residents have joined city work parties to remove invasive ivy from the Mission Creek open space.

The hands-on attitude has become popular at Roosevelt Elementary School.

Fifth-grade teacher Rich Kalman is spearheading a project where students interview long-time neighborhood residents.

The historical information will be used as part of an informational kiosk that will be installed in the park, said Olympia park planner Julie McQuary.

Guttchen said the kiosk, which was funded by a matching grant from the city, will also be used to post neighborhood meeting information.

No dates have been set for the development of the Mission Creek open space and adjacent neighborhood park, McQuary said.

But residents will have plenty to dream about between now and the end of summer.

When completed, Friendly Grove Park will have a paved loop trail, a playground with swings, a small shelter with a restroom, a small skate court for novice skateboarders, a half-court basketball court, tennis court and picnic sites.

"I think people long for a place to spend time and meet with their neighbors," McQuary said. "A park provides that kind of venue."

Michael Burnham covers Olympia for The Olympian. He can be reached at 360-704-6869 or mburnham@ olympia.gannett.com.

Does your neighborhood have a story for Our Neighborhoods? Call or e-mail Communities Editor Jerre Redecker at 754-5422 or jredecke@olympia. gannett.com. Next week: The Barnes Lake neighborhood in Tumwater.

For more Communities stories go to the Communities section.

Northeast Neighborhood Association

- Boundaries: 26th Avenue on the north to South Bay Road along the east; the neighborhood's southern border includes Yew Avenue, Fairview Street and undeveloped property crossing Bigelow Lake; the neighborhood's western border includes Eastside, Quince and Puget streets.

- Membership: 100 members

- Meetings: The third Wednesday of each month at Roosevelt Elementary School, except during summer, when the location varies. Annual meeting in May.

- Elections: Officers are elected to two-year terms. Elections are held every year at the annual meeting.

- Schools: Roosevelt Elementary School and the former Rogers Elementary School.

- Contact: Peter Guttchen, president, 360-943-8578; Wendy Sternshein, vice president, 360-956-1323.

- Main issues: Park development, traffic and landscaping.

The Olympian Copyright 2002

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