Ridgecrest Neighborhood uses mini-grant for beautification

The Ridgecrest Neighborhood Association recently was approved to receive a Neighborhood Mini-Grant from the City of Shoreline.

Funds from the grant, and donations of materials and labor will result in the beautification of the southwest corner of 5th Ave NE and NE 165th.

Currently the corner looks like this
Photo by Patty Hale

There obviously is a need for visual respite from asphalt, concrete and vehicles at this intersection. 

The project design will soften the hard-scape. Visual interest will be added by various textures and forms of plants and shrubs. Habitat enhancements include the installation of 3 birdhouses for violet green swallows. 

The installation of a Ridgecrest Neighborhood sign will add to community sense of place, pride and identity. Seating options have been incorporated into the project, which is located between to 2 major bus stops.

 Schematic for site layout

Last week, the Ridgecrest Board of Directors selected an art piece to be installed as a horizontal mural. The winners were Ridgecrest artist residents and neighbors, Sara Snedeker (winning design) and Rebecca Rosman, who submitted a joint proposal. The concrete and metal vault situated in the middle of the site will be transformed over the next three weeks with bright colors and a touch of whimsey. The artists chose native plants and Pacific Northwest Tree frogs in various forms of development as their subject, "...because Ridgecrest Neighborhood is also going through different stages of metamorphism." 

Patty Hale, Project Coordinator, invites neighbors to get involved in this great "Place Making" opportunity.  There will be a planting party scheduled for later in the month or the first part of November. "Not only will we be putting plants in the ground, but will also be spreading top soil, gravel, river rock, mulch and more."

Updated 10-16-2013 5:04pm