Hit and Run at Me Kwa Mooks

NOTE: This post has been updated as we receive additional information.

We’re being told that during the wee hours on Tuesday, a vehicle hit a parked car at Me Kwa Mooks before speeding off. A witness or someone with knowledge of the incident says it was a Toyota (not sure of the model) going about 60 mph before it lost control, striking the Suburu in the photo, then careening west towards the water before coming to a stop. The driver reportedly exited the car, pulling out guns and fleeing the scene. The Toyota has been removed. [UPDATE: We have been informed by neighbors that SPD had the Toyota towed.]


This is a popular spot for people living in their cars. Luckily the Suburu was just parked without anyone inside at the time of the accident. It’s this reporter’s opinion that the parked car may have saved people from possible severe injury or death.

UPDATE August 20, 2020: From a Beach Drive Neighbor.

A neighbor suggests that we should check security videos for information to help the SPD.

We first learned of the hit and run from a friend who lives on Aikins Ave SW.  She was awakened around 3AM Tuesday morning by the sound of screeching tires and then a loud crash.  Shortly after, she heard voices of what she believed to be two men speaking loudly and sounding impaired, one asking the other if he was ok.  She thought the voices were coming from somewhere on Chilberg. She surmised they probably fled on foot up Genessee to Chilberg so may have been between Genessee and Douglas Street.  As soon as she heard sirens the talking stopped.  She was wondering if anyone in that area has security cameras that may have captured a photo of the men.  That may help the SPD with identification if they don’t already know the suspects. Perhaps you could add a comment to the story asking neighbors in that area to check their security recordings.

Scupper for the BDB.

Photo credit: Scupper.

Warning for Parents and Dog Owners about Lincoln Park

We’re just learning from a neighbor that a dog passed after ingesting meth while on a walk at Lincoln Park.

We don’t have information about exactly where or how this happened. The events are very recent and we just wanted to warn neighbors to be careful of their two and four legged loved ones.  Honestly, this tragic event could happen at any park. 🙁

We are heartbroken for the family who lost their beloved puppy.

The Big Clam Dig

We’ve had seats in the wings watching the reconstruction of the seawall at Emma Schmitz Memorial Viewpoint. It’s been kind of fun watching the machinery roll down to the beach each morning and scurry back up when the tide rolls in.


I’m toying with the idea of getting my hubby his own Tonka trucks so he can play along as he watches the work take place. He has offered to use his clam gun to help the crew out!

We’ve been pretty lucky so far with the tides and the noise hasn’t been too bad (at least not for us) so far….and it’s been interesting to watch.

 

Tractors, Fencing and Porta-Potty’s…oh my!

It appears that it’s about to get serious with the overdue improvements to the seawall at Emma Schmitz Park.

Staging for the Seawall

And so it begins!
Staging for the seawall repair along Emma Schmitz Memorial Viewpoint has started this morning. Neighbors can look forward to the fencing to be covered with green tarps while repairs and improvements are underway. The project will coincide with the tides so anticipate construction during times of low tides.

On a positive note, there will be temporary crosswalks set at Snoqualmie and Jacobsen. I know many neighbors would love to see permanent crosswalks in these locations.

For more information on this project, click here.

Photo credit: Scupper

Father looking out for Daughter

Today while we were walking our dog along the closed section of Beach Drive, we met Will, his cute daughter and their friendly little dog. Will is trying to drum up support to have the section along Alki Point permanently closed.

As someone who lives on that stretch of Beach Drive and having to deal with racing cars an cruisers, he would like the neighborhood to be safer for all to enjoy.

You can learn more and/or sign the petition at https://bit.ly/StayHealthyAlkiPoint

Happy Father’s Day!

Section of Beach Drive added to Seattle’s Stay Healthy Streets Program

Mayor Durkin has formally announced that 1/3 mile of Beach Drive is being added to the Stay Healthy Streets Program. The section runs from Alki Avenue  and 63rd Avenue to along Constellation Park to Beach Drive and 63rd and will be closed to vehicles. This stretch of Beach Drive has seen a lot of traffic from cruisers and I’m sure the residence will appreciate not having to deal with the steady stream of traffic in their views.

I do wonder how much this, combined with the failure of the West Seattle Bridge, will impact the rest of Beach Drive and how it will impact homes just off the newly closed Beach Drive. I think we will see increased traffic and will it be more challenging to find parking near our homes. It’s already quite a challenge to cross Beach Drive along Emma Schmitz View Point or Me Kwa Mooks Park. Perhaps with the Stay Healthy Streets Program, the City should be adding crosswalks along Beach Drive and zoned parking for residents?

Stay safe and enjoy this sunny Mothers Day!

NOTE: Post has been updated to correct the area the road is closed.

Ceremony at Emma Schmitz Memorial View Point


There appears to be a wedding ceremony taking place at Emma Schmitz Memorial View Point right now.

Beach Drive Blog wishes the couple happiness and health!

Lincoln Park and Alki Beach Closed this weekend

Mayor Durkin has announced Seattle’s 15 largest parks will be closed this weekend in an effort to assist with social distancing, including Lincoln Park, Alki Beach and West Seattle Stadium. The closure begins on Friday, April 10, 2020 at 11:00 pm and the parks will reopen on Monday, April 12, 2020 at 4:30 am.

From the Mayor’s statement:

“These are the beautiful weather days we crave all winter, but we are living in unprecedented times and the Governor’s order isn’t stay out – it’s stay home. Seattle’s frontline medical workers,  vulnerable residents, and displaced workers need you to stay home. While Seattle is expecting near perfect weather, friends and families should not have family or friend outings, picnics or gatherings in parks. Stay home unless you need to go to an essential job or business.  If you need to take a walk in your neighborhood, be smart and don’t help create a crowded place. Too many friends, residents and families are continuing to gathering for picnics, BBQs, basketball games, and group walks.  Because we still are in danger of a spike in infections, hospitalizations and deaths we have to keep doing out part. Easing up on social distancing too early will put more people at risk, could overwhelm our health care system, and could delay the reopening of businesses. Stay home, and if you must leave your home, be smart, follow social distancing guidelines by stay at lease six feet from everyone and wear a mask” said Mayor Jenny Durkan. “Our collective effort has made an impact flattening the curve, but we must continue or face even greater and longer term consequences.”

I’m concerned that the closure of these popular parks are only going to push more people to Beach Drive, which already seems more crowded with runners, walkers, bicyclist and walkers… and according to this study, 6 feet may not be enough distance from people who are walking, running or biking.

And while I’m at it… can folks please stop spitting and emptying their noses (aka snot rockets) in public areas? We walk Beach Drive and local parks and have seen all sorts of people doing this. I personally think even if we were not in the middle of a pandemic that this is a disgusting practice – but we definitely should be doing this right now. Rant over! 🙂

We hope you have a happy and healthy weekend!

If a tree falls in the forest…RUN for your life!

I probably shouldn’t be making light of this… my husband, aka our intrepid reporter Scupper, was almost struck by a giant mature maple just moments ago. He was walking our dog on the Mee Kwa Mooks trail when he heard the tree starting to crack. He and our dog literally started to run for their lives. No sooner did the cracking start, the tree came down just missing them.


As one of our neighbors say, hubby used up one of his nine lives by and our dog narrowly escaping this.

Mee Kwa Mooks is filled with mature trees, including end-of-life, maples. It’s not unusual to walk the trails and have to step over recently downed trees. This is the first time (hopefully the last) where we’ve experienced this close of an encounter.

We will be reporting this to the parks department to see if they can target dangerous trees.

Stay safe, friends!