Harvesting shells from this area is a crime. She's been on private property doing this as well as Emma Schmitz which is a Marine Reserve…this is not her first occurance (she's the same person photo'd in this post).
She’s Back…Harvesting a Giant Bag of Moon Shells
Update on Lowman Beach Park vs King County Waste Water
This just in by Ron Sterling:
Ron Sterling and his fellow Beach Drive neighbors are fighting King County to get the King County Wastewater Division (KCWTD) to stop its plans to build a 1 million gallon underground tank in, on, and around Lowman Beach Park. One of the three alternative proposals that KCWTD is trying to force onto the neighborhood even includes exercising eminent domain to purchase a block of treasured neighborhood homes for the purpose of building the tank and its significant above-ground "amenities." It is a travesty of bad decision-making, poor outreach to the community, and very poor design.
Please visit their blog www.SoundAngels.org and do what you can to get the word out to help them with their mission to get King County to do the right thing and save the neighborhood.
The Future of Lowman Beach Park
The West Seattle Blog has a must read article about what the county is proposing to do with the Lowman Beach with regards to the pumps, including:
….digging up most of Lowman Beach Park, including its unique beachfront tennis court and two century-old trees. Another would involve acquiring homes across the street from Lowman, through eminent domain if necessary.
It's a stinky situation and if you care about this area of West Seattle, I encourage to read WSB's post: Turn Lowman Beach into a utility site? Overflow options draw ire
Click here for more of my photos of Lowman Beach Park on Flickr.
Celebrate New Years on the Beach…just off Beach Drive
Hat Tip to West Seattle Blog…you can get a guided tour during the low tide under a rare Blue Moon at Mee Kwa Mooks Park on New Years Eve.
You must register today (only 4 spots left as of this posting)
Ages: 6 Yrs. to 111 Yrs.
Fees:
– Adult Fee $8.00
– Child Fee $6.00Description:
Help bring in the New Year with nudibranchs, seastars and sea squirts! Gather your friends and family and share in the fun of exploring the fascinating world of intertidal life! After exploring, we'll provide the toast for the new year! Please wear very warm clothing and waterproof footwear. Also bring a flashlight if you have one or we will provide one for you. All ages welcome but must be able to walk on slippery seaweed! Please register one day before beach walkSpots Available: 4
Registration Begins: 12-08-09 12:00pm
Member Registration Date:
Non-Resident Registration Date:
In-Person Registration End Date: 12-30-09
2009 Argosy Christmas Ship Schedule
This year, the Argosy Christmas Ships will pass along Beach Drive on the evening of December 12, 2009 featuring the Canterbury Belles choir.
Departing Pier 55 at 8:00 pm and heading towards Lowman Beach from 8:50 – 9:10 pm before heading to Alki from 9:40 – 10:00 pm.
You can view the entire Argosy Christmas ship schedule here.
See more of my photos from last year's Argosy Christmas ships here.
Andover Place
Andover Place is a park where Andover meets Beach Drive and is a "street ends" park. The City of Seattle describes it as "simply a narrow grassy slope between buildings providing public access to the beach".
The land was given to Seattle by Edward and Betty Grad in 1948 with the condition that it be "used exclusively for public recreation and acess to waters of Puget Sound".
More of my photos of this "pocket park" are located here.
Andover Place is located at 4000 Beach Drive SW, Seattle.
Kite Boarding at Lowman Beach
Right now at Lowman Beach, the Puget Sound Kiteboarders are taking advantage of the gusty winds on Puget Sound. I understand from one of the participants that this was originally going to take place at Richmond Beach, however the winds were better here.
You can see more of my photos of the kite boarding in Puget Sound here.
Update: I just uploaded some videos from this morning.
Garden Cycles in MeeKwaMooks
Yesterday, while chatting with Suky, a Beach Drive neighbor, we noticed a bicyclist peddling through the grass at MeeKwaMooks towing a cart. At the time, we weren't sure what he was up to. Suky decided to investigate.
Come to find out, the bicyclist is Steve Richmond of Garden Cycles who has a contract with Seattle's Urban Forestly program to remove invasive plants including Japanese knotweed (a.k.a. polygonum).
Thanks, Suky!
Bagpiper on Beach Drive Yesterday
Did you hear the bagpiper yesterday evening? He was playing at Emma Schmitz Memorial Viewpoint–treating nearby listeners with his solo concert. It was great timing as we were celebrating my sister's 40th birthday with family members.
Over a year ago, a Beach Drive Blog reader was curious who the "Beach Drive Bag-Piper" was…I understand this person is not the same musician. He did a great job–but I can tell you that he doesn't take request (at least not to play Happy Birthday).
Update on Moon Shell Harvesting
Last month we published an article about people who are collecting Moon Shells from private and public beaches in our neighborhood. The concensous from those who commented on the post was that nobody wants to have the shells harvested, legal or not. Well I just learned it's not legal to take the shells from the beach.
This message is from Janice Mathison with the Seattle Aquarium:
Emma Schmitz Park is a City of Seattle designated Marine Reserve, AND a Washington State Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) designated Marine Preserve. City rules ask that people not remove anything from the beach. WDFW Marine Preserve designation make removing anything from the beach a misdemeanor. This encompasses the area from high tide to minus 4.5 (extreme low water).I have the new 2009 Dept. of Fish and Wildlife Fishing in Washington guide, which contains all the sport fishing and harvesting rules. We are in Marine Area 10, found on p.114. This states there is no harvesting at Marine Preserves. You can get these at no cost from most sporting goods stores.You can also find this information on line, but it's confusing navigating through all the WDFW options. I've attached the page in the Fishing Regulations from the website. Scroll through the attachment to find Marine Area 10.You can call State Patrol for violations in progress, and you may also call the WDFW Bellevue office. Please let me know if you would like me to get the phone numbers for you.Thank you for your concern for our beautiful parks and the animals that live in Puget Sound.
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