David_Goldberg

Interesting to read all the comments. Thanks Dave S. for the posts. So far it seems like there's three individuals who might be interested in this. I'll work with them off line and see if they want organize. Regarding $$ and pollutants... We've got the money from a voter approved levy and can't redirect it to other "worthwhile" projects with 3/4 of City Council voting to do it. Seattle isn't closing parks, though were are reducing maintenance since that is paid for out of the City's general funds. Those have taken a big hit. The Puget Sound Air Quality folks and King County Health. They agree that it's best to exercise out of cities and on mountains (ding, ding you guys win!) Neither organization has any data about what levels of pollutants we might find under I-5. We may work with the County to get some monitoring. Recreating at this site should not be too much different from elsewhere in the City. People regularly run the stairs nearby, bike to work along congested streets and run everywhere. So, we all balance exercising locally and not driving/polluting to get to fresh air with increased air pollution. Ironically, the only beasts on tethers would be...some of you guys. David

Interesting to read all the comments. Thanks Dave S. for the posts. So far it seems like there's three individuals who might be interested in this. I'll work with them off line and see if they want organize. Regarding $$ and pollutants... We've got the money from a voter approved levy and can't redirect it to other "worthwhile" projects with 3/4 of City Council voting to do it. Seattle isn't closing parks, though were are reducing maintenance since that is paid for out of the City's general funds. Those have taken a big hit. The Puget Sound Air Quality folks and King County Health. They agree that it's best to exercise out of cities and on mountains (ding, ding you guys win!) Neither organization has any data about what levels of pollutants we might find under I-5. We may work with the County to get some monitoring. Recreating at this site should not be too much different from elsewhere in the City. People regularly run the stairs nearby, bike to work along congested streets and run everywhere. So, we all balance exercising locally and not driving/polluting to get to fresh air with increased air pollution. Ironically, the only beasts on tethers would be...some of you guys. David

I've corresponded with some climbers several months ago about the potential for a sport climbing facility as part of Seattle Park and Recreation's project to develop an open space/park beneath I-5 in the Eastlake neighborhood. Parks has developed a site plan that identifies an area where this would be possible. I am contacting this list to determine if there is sufficient interest and organizational energy to make this happen. Seattle Parks has approximately $1.1 million to develop the entire site, however the budget is stretched thin because of the size (7.5 acres) of the area. Parks would be hard pressed to contribute much to construct the climbing wall, but.....there's always possibilities. The Backcountry Bicycle Trails Club (BBTC) is organized and has pledged to contribute volunteer effort to design and construct mountain biking trails. Citizens for Off-Leash Areas (COLA) has pledged stewardship and management of the off-leash portion of the site. We would be looking for similar committment and contributions to the project from climbers. We would need to solidfy interest within the next few months. You can check out the latest information of the effort at http://www4.cityofseattle.net/parks/proparks/projects/i-5openspace.htm Contact me at my work email, davidw.goldberg@seattle.gov Thanks David W. Goldberg Parks and Recreation Project Planner (206) 684-8414