A tour of the First Creek will be held this Saturday, February 7th. Join us to learn about this historical creek/watershed and to discover its beauty. The tour will last approximately two hours, and we'll be exploring three areas of the creek. The lower wetlands between the Emerald Queen Casino and 34th, middle area near Fairbanks, and the upper creek area between Lister and First Creek Middle School.
Tour starts at 10:00 a.m. Portland Avenue Community Center and we'll leave from there. Hiking boats are recommended but not required, you might also bring gloves and a camera.
What: Tour of First Creek
When: Saturday, February 7th, 10:00 a.m. to Noon
Where: Portland Avenue Community Center (3513 Portland AVE)
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Also, the First Creek Neighbors community group has scheduled a clean-up of the lower creek area for Saturday, February 14th, 9:00 a.m. to Noon. The work party will meet at 34th and East "R" Street, bring your gloves and help the community to clean up this beautiful area.
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Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Sunday, February 1, 2009
January Pictures of First Creek
A beautiful morning on First Creek!
Pictures of First Creek just below East Fairbanks heading down the creek towards 34th. Taken by Dan Fear, late January 26, 2009.
Puyallup Tribal Council
Supporting First Creek Stewardship Plan
By Clare Jensen
For Tacoma Weekly
cjensen@tacomaweekly.com
Published on: January 22, 2009
Tribe and neighbors united to restore First Creek
Puyallup Tribal Council approved a resolution Jan. 12 stating that they are officially on board with work the East Side community began last year.
Local residents began to retake the area now commonly referred to as First Creek that has been plagued with trash, blight and unwanted activity for years.
The historic creek, which was the first creek geographically to link to the Puyallup River as well as a prosperous fishing site and location of former tribal village, started getting the attention of locals as neighbors became frustrated with the excessive trash and seedy behavior that coincided with it.
Last summer, the groups worked with the city of Tacoma’s “Clean and Safe Initiative” to remove approximately 80 tons of trash from the creek.
In November, Tacoma City Council approved a stewardship plan backing the community’s existing efforts to reclaim and transform the area. And now with the Puyallup Tribe formally on board as well, players feel confident that their mission is attainable.
The tribe agreed that it would work collaboratively with the city on a community stewardship plan that will clean up and assess the development of the historic area.
“It’s not that it takes an act of tribal or city council to make this stuff happen,” said Alisa O’Hanlon, government relations coordinator for the city. “This stuff is happening already (in the community) and both the governing bodies have said, ‘We’re right behind you.’”
O’Hanlon noted that the city and the tribe plan to bring forth any and all resources available to fulfill the vision for the area, which includes improving safety, reducing blight, addressing environmental concerns and creating a green space out of the creek that the East Side can be proud of.
“To know that things are happening and that both councils are fully supportive, it gives (neighbors in the area) confidence that they aren’t having to go on this journey all by themselves,” O’Hanlon said. “It’s very exciting to know that both councils… are committed to seeing this all the way through.”
To read Clare Jensen's full article visit the link below:
http://www.tacomaweekly.com/article/2753/
For Tacoma Weekly
cjensen@tacomaweekly.com
Published on: January 22, 2009
Tribe and neighbors united to restore First Creek
Puyallup Tribal Council approved a resolution Jan. 12 stating that they are officially on board with work the East Side community began last year.
Local residents began to retake the area now commonly referred to as First Creek that has been plagued with trash, blight and unwanted activity for years.
The historic creek, which was the first creek geographically to link to the Puyallup River as well as a prosperous fishing site and location of former tribal village, started getting the attention of locals as neighbors became frustrated with the excessive trash and seedy behavior that coincided with it.
Last summer, the groups worked with the city of Tacoma’s “Clean and Safe Initiative” to remove approximately 80 tons of trash from the creek.
In November, Tacoma City Council approved a stewardship plan backing the community’s existing efforts to reclaim and transform the area. And now with the Puyallup Tribe formally on board as well, players feel confident that their mission is attainable.
The tribe agreed that it would work collaboratively with the city on a community stewardship plan that will clean up and assess the development of the historic area.
“It’s not that it takes an act of tribal or city council to make this stuff happen,” said Alisa O’Hanlon, government relations coordinator for the city. “This stuff is happening already (in the community) and both the governing bodies have said, ‘We’re right behind you.’”
O’Hanlon noted that the city and the tribe plan to bring forth any and all resources available to fulfill the vision for the area, which includes improving safety, reducing blight, addressing environmental concerns and creating a green space out of the creek that the East Side can be proud of.
“To know that things are happening and that both councils are fully supportive, it gives (neighbors in the area) confidence that they aren’t having to go on this journey all by themselves,” O’Hanlon said. “It’s very exciting to know that both councils… are committed to seeing this all the way through.”
To read Clare Jensen's full article visit the link below:
http://www.tacomaweekly.com/article/2753/
January Meeting Minutes
First Creek Stewardship Committee
Meeting 1/07/09
Present: Natalie Dam, Jane Dudley, Dan Fear, Chris Gilliand, Krystal Kyer, Edwina Margum, Lorna Mauren, Eric Meyer, Alisa O’Hanlon, Chris Ott, Laura Rodriguez, Guy Thompson, David Whited
Meeting Recap:
1. Introductions
2. 30 Second Elevator Speech
We looked over the draft that Eric prepared. Several comments were made, which Eric will incorporate into the next draft.
3. Data on First Creek:
The data Eric sent out on First Creek had incorrect borders. Eric will correct
4. City’s Stormwater Management in First Creek
Lorna presented on what the City is currently doing in relation to storm/waste water management.
5.First Clean Up
We discussed potential sites for initial quick, visible clean up of the area. We discussed some of the challenges we would face, including obtaining permits from the city.
6. Action Items – Next Meeting – First Wednesday in February
1) Benchmark other stewardship plans
2) Catalogue activities in First Creek that are already under way
3) Invite Alicia Lawver to discuss Splash Grants
4) Discuss the next clean up
a. Small, visible, doable
b. What permits required
c. April
d. Start with litter, homeless camp
e. Include Council, Homeless Camp
Meeting 1/07/09
Present: Natalie Dam, Jane Dudley, Dan Fear, Chris Gilliand, Krystal Kyer, Edwina Margum, Lorna Mauren, Eric Meyer, Alisa O’Hanlon, Chris Ott, Laura Rodriguez, Guy Thompson, David Whited
Meeting Recap:
1. Introductions
2. 30 Second Elevator Speech
We looked over the draft that Eric prepared. Several comments were made, which Eric will incorporate into the next draft.
3. Data on First Creek:
The data Eric sent out on First Creek had incorrect borders. Eric will correct
4. City’s Stormwater Management in First Creek
Lorna presented on what the City is currently doing in relation to storm/waste water management.
5.First Clean Up
We discussed potential sites for initial quick, visible clean up of the area. We discussed some of the challenges we would face, including obtaining permits from the city.
6. Action Items – Next Meeting – First Wednesday in February
1) Benchmark other stewardship plans
2) Catalogue activities in First Creek that are already under way
3) Invite Alicia Lawver to discuss Splash Grants
4) Discuss the next clean up
a. Small, visible, doable
b. What permits required
c. April
d. Start with litter, homeless camp
e. Include Council, Homeless Camp
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