EMBRACE SHORELINE SCHOOLS
In the spring of 2008, a group of faith-based organizations in Shoreline and Lake Forest Park led by Pastor Steve Ulmer of New Hope-Seattle wanted to find a way to serve the community.
With the Shoreline School District having a tight budget, many of the school grounds were in need of some cleanup and landscaping.
The first Embrace Shoreline Schools (ESS) event was held May 3, 2008. Spearheaded by Pastor Ulmer’s efforts, each Shoreline/Lake Forest Park school was paired with a local church. Area neighborhood associations, service club members, and PTSA members joined them out in the rain and drizzle, cleaning up and weeding the school grounds.
The end result was 10 truckloads of weeds and litter being removed from school grounds. Bark and wood chips were spread at several locations. In some places new vegetation was planted. Most importantly, the community working together built some new relationships with each other and the schools. After the weekend activity, students and teachers returning to school on Monday morning felt valued by their community.
A second event was held last September. As a result of previous efforts the work was easier and every school was included. Dandelions were outnumbered.
The next Embrace Shoreline Schools (ESS) landscaping effort is scheduled for May 16, 9 a.m. to noon. Each of Shoreline’s schools is again paired with at least one church or neighborhood association, and each school’s PTA is participating as well. For a complete list of contacts, visit www.embraceshorelineschools.org. Participants are welcome to join with the area’s PTAs, faith communities and neighborhoods to work on volunteer projects at the District’s schools on that day. Projects may include such tasks as gardening and maintenance, pruning, weeding, and other needs identified by the schools themselves. Please bring your own hand tools and gloves. Volunteers will be on hand to accept donations of new backpacks and school supplies for our students needing support. For more information, visit www.embraceschools.org.
The goal of Embrace Shoreline Schools is to see every church, PTSA and neighborhood association in Shoreline and Lake Forest Park involved in working on the school grounds. Many of the schools’ community partners have held work parties in recent months between the Embrace Shoreline Schools events.
At the spring event on May 16, ESS will team with the Back to School Consortium, encouraging the community to bring donations of new backpacks that will be filled with school supplies and distributed to students in need in August.
The annual Shoreline Back-To-School event provides school supplies, hair cuts, and clothing assistance to Shoreline School District families with a low income and/or circumstances that make it challenging to adequately prepare their children for school. In 2008, more than 650 backpacks filled with school supplies were distributed.
This year’s Back to School event takes place Saturday, Aug. 29 at Ridgecrest Elementary. For more information, visit www.btsconsortium.org.
City of Shoreline Opens Its First
Off-Leash Dog Area Saturday, April 25, 2009
Shoreline residents collectively own over 12,000 dogs according to estimates by King County Animal Control. Beginning this Saturday these Shoreline dogs and their owners will have a place for romping and socializing as the City of Shoreline opens the first of two planned off-leash dog areas.
Join the celebration Saturday, April 25, at 10:00 a.m. at Shoreview Park as the City of Shoreline dedicates and opens the Shoreview Off-leash Dog Area. The dog area located at 320 Innis Arden Way is to the east and up the hill from the Shoreview tennis courts, in the southeast corner of the park. It can be accessed from the Shoreview parking lot off Innis Arden Drive or from the Shoreline Community College parking lot by entering through the driveway that is furthest west. Then follow the signs.
Securing Shoreline's Future
We want to hear from you
Shoreline’s long-term financial forecasts indicate that by 2010 the City’s resources will not be adequate to provide the current level of basic services to the Shoreline community. Although the City has implemented budgetary reductions and service efficiencies for the last several years, costs for fuel, asphalt, jail, the police contract and other items are growing faster than the City’s revenue sources of property tax (capped at 1%) and sales tax.
In March 2008 the City Council appointed an 18-member Community Priorities/Long-Range Financial Planning Citizen Advisory Committee to recommend long-term strategies on service changes, efficiencies and funding options.
The Committee provided an interim report to the City Council in September which included the following findings:
According to the results of the 2006 and 2008 Citizen Satisfaction Surveys and other resident feedback, the Shoreline community does not want a significant reduction in City services.
The City’s budget strategy must include a commitment to work efficiently. The Committee recommended that the City do a better job of informing the community of efficiencies that have been implemented and of demonstrating its responsible financial stewardship of taxpayer dollars. The City should explore opportunities to limit or reduce future expenditures in contracts for police and jail services and use technology to limit or reduce costs of communication.
Expansion of service levels should only be addressed once a strategy is adopted to maintain current services and it must reflect the priorities of the community. Areas that the Committee has identified for service level enhancements include:
Transportation system improvements such as additional sidewalks, signal coordination and road maintenance.
Economic development—supporting local businesses and attracting new businesses.
Senior and volunteer services and coordination.
Final recommendations will be presented to the City Council in April. For more information, contact Finance Director Debbie Tarry at (206) 801-2301, dtarry@shorelinewa.gov.
Public Art in the City of Shoreline
Bridges, banners and bronze! In 2002 the Shoreline City Council wisely adopted a 1% for Public Art Ordinance to ensure a means of expanding awareness and appreciation of art and cultural heritage, and enhancing the enjoyment of public places in the City of Shoreline. 1% of construction funds the City expends for structures, roads, sidewalks, trails, and parks is allocated to a special fund to be used on site, or pooled to create opportunities in other locations. Neighborhoods can also play an important role in increasing the opportunities for Public Art, creating focal points and innovative gathering spots.
In the last two years we’ve dedicated the Interurban Bridge, hung banners on Aurora and in the Ridgecrest neighborhood, and installed “The Parade Route” in North City and “Contemplating the Arc” at Echo Lake Park. “Reflex Solaris” is currently under construction at Richmond Beach Saltwater Park. Six additional projects in other parts of Shoreline are now in various stages of development from concept design to almost “ready to go”.
If you are interested in a presentation on Public Art in Shoreline for your neighborhood or civic group, please contact Ros Bird, Public Art Coordinator, rbird@shorelinewa.gov or (206) 801-2661. If you would like to explore a public art project in your neighborhood, the city can provide technical assistance with developing and selecting an artist, and funding through the Neighborhood Mini-Grant program. Consider making art happen in your neighborhood! Contact Nora Smith, City of Shoreline Neighborhood Coordinator, nsmith@shorelinewa.gov or (206) 801-2253
Cornucopiaphobia