A FRESH LOOK WEST OF THE N 30TH ST. OVERPASS

Back in 2001, KNA volunteers made a significant upgrade to the east and west entrances to Kennydale, at the I-405 Exit 6 (N. 30th Street) interchange.  This upgrade consisted of the placement of the two beautifully carved “Welcome to Kennydale” signs that give us all a great sense of pride in our neighborhood; in conjunction with the sign placement, landscaping was added consisting of trees, shrubs, landscaping timbers, etc..  Since 2001, KNA volunteers have maintained the signs and the landscaping, which has matured.  The timbers on the west side of Exit 6 have “matured” as well; in fact they have deteriorated to the point of needing replacement.
 
Accordingly, the KNA Board submitted in June a Mini-Grant project application to the City of Renton which will allow the Association to replace the existing timbers and place new vegetation at the area directly next to the stop sign at the south end of the southbound Exit 6 off-ramp (the landscaping timbers directly next to the “Welcome to Kennydale” sign are in better shape and will not be replaced at this time).  The way the City’s grants work is that they provide funding, and the Association provides an equivalent amount of volunteer labor.  Once the timbers are in place, the existing plantings will be spruced up or replaced, to complete the site’s restoration.
The tasks at hand are as follows:
1.    Remove the 8 existing 6x6 timbers (easy to do – they’re practically falling apart)
2.    Lay 8 new timbers in the old trenches
3.    Anchor the new timbers with pre-cut steel pins
4.    Clean up existing plantings and add some new plants

We are seeking a small number of volunteers to spend less than one weekend day to do the timber replacement.  The refurbishment of the planted area is a separate activity and can be accomplished by a small number of volunteers on a different day.  Our target time to do this is in July, and we would choose a day when it is neither too hot nor raining.  Persons interested in helping on this activity or wishing more information, please contact me at dariusvicki@msn.com or at 425-623-8177.  
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Vicki Richards, Landscape Refurb. Project Leader