First Creek Watershed: First Creek News and Events

Thursday, July 15, 2010

First Creek News and Events

News Stories

Last month, several First Creek Neighbors were interviewed for a "Crime Busters Story" that will air tonight (Thursday July 15) at 9 pm on MYQ2 (channel 10) and at 10 pm on Q13 (channel 13). It should be an interesting and positive story about a community working hard to make their neighborhood safer and a better place to live. If you miss the story tonight, it might be on the Q13 website tomorrow: http://www.q13fox.com/

Future Events

August 3rd
First Creek’s First National Night Out, Location: Green Thumb Community Garden (Wright Avenue and Portland Avenue) Time: 7-10 pm. National Night Out Against Crime is a national event dedicated to increasing crime awareness and strengthening neighborhood spirit. Why not come and meet some old/new neighbors? You and your family are invited to join us at our new community garden site (a work in progress) at Portland/Wright Ave on August 3, 2010 from 7-10pm. This is a potluck event so please bring a dish to share, if you can. You might also bring a garden chair. There will be a BBQ for grilling. The garden should be fully fenced in by that time; neighbors of all ages are invited to come. We are hoping to have police presence, games for kids, and an opportunity to personalize pickets for the community garden. Questions? Please contact Katja at 253-576-6900 or katjarimmele@hotmail.com

August 4th
Join First Creek Neighbors for "A Picnic at the Creek" Wednesday August 4th, 6:30pm - 8:00pm. Location: In First Creek Meadow near the 32nd St. Bridge. What you should bring? Your favorite picnic pot luck dish, water, or pop to share. A blanket or folding chair to sit on. A big smile. Enter the canyon near 29th St. behind the Emerald Queen Casino and walk a 2 block trail to 32nd St. Bridge or walk in from East Wright Street. at T Street. Provisions will be made for elderly and disabled to drive in. For more information call Edwina at 474-7083

Work Parties

July 17th
First Creek Cleanup, Saturday, July 17th, 2010 from 9:00 am to Noon.
Location: East Fairbanks Street and First Creek. Join the First Creek Neighbors for a morning of trail maintenance with a little trash pickup and invasive plant removal. It will be easy and fun work and there will be an opportunity to do some exploring of the habitat area surrounding First Creek. If you have any questions please contact Dan Fear via phone at (253) 304-2808 or email at danfear@hotmail.com.

July 17th
Green Thumb Community Garden, Saturday, July 17th, from 9:00 - 2:00. Working on the garden on Saturday @ 9 am, by then we will have fence boards, stain, paint and more planks delivered, so bring all the appropriate tools that you think we could use. Perhaps: cordless screw guns, painting clothes, brushes (we will have some delivered along with the paint), saw horses for painting on..., and a lunch (Potluck). Soon we will be having weeknight work parties. For additional information contact Paul at (253) 678-5483 or email at stuthman@yahoo.com. On Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=129893867033700
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Brief Description

This site relates to the First Creek Stewardship Plan as well as other activities occuring in First Creek.

Summary about The First Creek Community Stewardship Plan. It is a community-driven effort that seeks to transform First Creek into a community asset. The community has partnered with the Puyallup Tribe of Indians, the City of Tacoma, the Tacoma Housing Authority, environmental groups, and others in order to achieve this vision.

Brief History of First Creek:
The area that is now known as First Creek was once the political and social center for the Puyallup Tribe. The creek, the first creek the Tribe came to they paddled home on the Puyallup River from Commencement Bay, was at the center of a thriving Puyallup tribal community with a salmon-laden creek.

Headwaters of First Creek:
The spring fed headwaters for the main stem of First Creek as well as both of it's tributaries all originate in Midland, which is the community located on the plateau on the county side, above the area currently under restoration. The main stem flows (or still tries to) on the east side of Portland Avenue, both tributaries flow on the west side of Portland Avenue.

The 1st Tributary formed the ravine that runs down the west side of Portland Avenue to just about 48th Street East, where it veers to the east under Portland Avenue and meets the main stem.

The 2nd Tributary joins the main stem at around 44th Street East, just below the 1st fork and also flows under Portland Avenue from west to east.

In 1999, the Midland Resident's Association was successful in gaining protection for the main stem by having that stretch declared Rural Separator. It took them over 3 years, lots of meetings, lots of door knocking and lots of petition signature gathering. In 2008, Pierce County planning finally acknowledged the 1st Tributary as an actual waterway as well.

First Creek Today:
Over recent years, First Creek has taken on different names, such as the "T" Street Gulch, as well as a deteriorating physical appearance. Much of the area is now covered by invasive plants, sewer lines, roads, and garbage. As a result, this important and beautiful area, like the neighborhood that surrounds it, now has a poor reputation in many people’s minds.

Our Vision for First Creek’s Future:
The City of Tacoma, Puyallup Tribe, Tacoma Housing Authority, and community are partnering to transform First Creek. While we recognize we may not restore the creek to its original condition, we do believe we can preserve the area for future generations to enjoy as part of their community. Working in collaboration with the Puget Sound Partnership, we envision a healthy habitat with native plants, natural and recreational trails, and educational material related to the creek’s historical and cultural significance. Our efforts in First Creek will work to complement what some of our neighbors in the Eastside are doing to improve the community.

We’d love to give you a tour of First Creek. We are looking for more volunteers to help with various aspects of this project throughout its upcoming phases. If you or someone you know would like to know more, email us at firstcreekwatershed@gmail.co

First Creek Watershed

Thursday, July 15, 2010

First Creek News and Events

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